(Minghui.org) I was born during China's “Great Leap Forward.” Indoctrinated by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) philosophy of struggle, my father’s family frequently abused and ill-treated my mother.
When I was taking my college entrance exams in 1978, my paternal grandmother hanged herself in our home, so my uncle and aunt petitioned the local authorities to arrest and imprison my mother. The unhappy circumstances of my childhood bolstered my determination to become a police officer so that I could defend those I loved from abuse.
Outstanding Police Investigator
I was admitted to the provincial public security school due to my excellent grades, and I became a criminal investigator in the county police department after graduation. I worked hard and became an expert in investigative and forensic work. Because I was able to accurately identify the perpetrator of the crime every time, I became well known for my expertise, and I was awarded the title “Extraordinary Investigator.”
A criminal investigator's job is tough and requires a lot of stamina. In major cases in particular, investigators have to work day and night to quickly investigate the crime scene, issue permits, and oversee technical appraisals. Every detail has to be meticulously and rigorously examined. Besides the unreasonable workload, I also had to protect myself against backstabbing colleagues and poisonous office politics.
As the mental and physical strain increased, my health deteriorated. At one point, I was diagnosed with chronic inflammation of the gallbladder and of the stomach mucous membrane, as well as heart disease, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis. In search for a cure, I consulted specialists at major hospitals and sought advice from traditional healers, but nothing worked, and in 1995, when I was only 36 years old, my doctors advised me to take a leave of absence and rest at home.
My New Life Is Renewed
A friend who worked at the local People’s Congress dropped by my home and gave me a copy of the book Falun Gong and a set of exercise videos on January 20, 1996. This friend described the impressive healing powers of Falun Dafa and advised me to give it a try.
Because I'd studied Marxism at the public security school, my atheist mindset refused to accept anything spiritual. That night, however, I slept soundly even though I hadn't taken any sleeping pills. The following morning my appetite and stamina were greatly improved, and I was able to walk around on my own.
Curious, I began reading Falun Gong and was so impressed that I finished the entire book in one sitting. From the book, I learned about the meaning of life and the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I knew that I had found my true purpose in life.
I did the five exercises daily and my health started to recover. By week two, I was able to do some household chores. By week four, I had recovered enough to return to work. To date, 22 years later, I have been illness-free.
Surviving Torture and Abuse
In July 1999, Jiang Zemin, the former head of the communist regime, abused his power and launched a campaign of persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. I was taken to brainwashing centers, forced labor camps, and prisons, where I was tortured and abused. The authorities arrested and imprisoned me in a psychiatric hospital in January 2000. In an attempt to mislead the public, they announced that I had died after practicing Falun Dafa.
Doctors at the psychiatric hospital were ordered to infuse me with harmful drugs. Despite the unbearable pain, I continued to silently recite, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” In the midst of this tremendous pain and suffering, I started clarifying the facts about the persecution of Falun Dafa to the doctor and told him how amazing Falun Dafa is. What I said and how I behaved even as I was being tortured moved the kind doctor, who assured me, “I will find a way to secure your release.” Soon after, I was discharged from the psychiatric hospital.
In the fall of 2011, I was released after four years in prison. But I was near death from the torture I'd suffered. I resumed my study of the teachings of Dafa and began to do the five exercises diligently. Within a week, my health improved and I was able to do household chores and resumed caring for my elderly parents.
However, our family still faced financial difficulties. Because Jiang Zemin and his cronies had directed government officials to “bankrupt, discredit, and physically destroy Falun Dafa practitioners,” the local authorities suspended my salary and refused to grant me my retirement pension.
Kindness Has Its Own Rewards
In order to make a living, I opened a small clothing store. In my business dealings, I do my best to adhere to the principles Master taught us.
Master said:
“So for the portion of us that cultivates in the setting of ordinary people, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, how high your official rank is, or whether you’re self-employed or you have your own business, it doesn’t matter what kind of business you do: do things fairly and act with integrity.” (Zhuan Falun)
I personally visit the factory in order to ensure the garments sold in my store are of the best quality fabrics and workmanship. I then sell them at reasonable prices. Nowadays, most clothing stores in China do not state their prices upfront, and buyers who do not bargain are horribly overcharged. I also offer my customers the option of exchanging purchased items or getting a refund. I guarantee full refunds should they discover a problem with their new clothes.
Kindness truly has its own rewards. I have cultivated a loyal customer base due to my honesty and integrity, and my business has expanded. Despite its rather inconvenient location, many customers are willing to drive to my store. As a result, I have managed to earn a reasonable income.
Even though I am now 60 years old, I remain as active and energetic as someone much younger. Falun Dafa has granted me good health and a happy life.
(Submission to “Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day” 2018 on the Minghui website)
