(Minghui.org) I was illegally imprisoned in 2003 at a facility originally intended for detaining Dafa practitioners. Very few practitioners remained in the facility by that time however, and most of the detainees were everyday people who were imprisoned for committing financial offenses.
Despite initial reprimands from the prison guards, I persisted in my daily cultivation schedule. Mornings were dedicated to the meditation exercise, while afternoons were spent reciting sections of Dafa teachings from memory. I did the remaining exercises at night, and sent forth righteous thoughts at regular intervals throughout the day.
While in the facility, I tried to help new detainees adapt to their new environment by showing them the ropes and offering them moral support.
When they inquired about my background, I told them that I was illegally imprisoned for practicing Falun Gong. I said to those who advised me to give up the practice, “You have this opinion because you saw the Tiananmen Self-Immolation Incident right? One of the victims, Wang Jindong, had his face badly burnt by the flames. However his hair and the plastic Sprite bottle filled with gasoline tucked between his legs remained intact.
“Moreover on that day, the police were seen patrolling Tiananmen Square with fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing blankets, which allowed them to put out the flames on the victims in less than two minutes. Isn’t that strange?
“In August 2001, the International Organization for Educational Development issued a statement at a UN conference, confirming that the self-immolation incident was staged by the government in order to incite hatred towards Falun Gong.
“As intellectuals, I’m sure you will come to a similar conclusion after considering these facts.”
These detainees came around and agreed with me after hearing my comments.
Many detainees at this facility were businessmen or professionals who previously enjoyed high social standing and success in society. With the physical and emotional trauma from the loss of their freedom and status, many succumbed to various ailments while detained. The facility head, police officers, security guards, and doctors were constantly on their toes, tending to those who had taken ill.
After learning that I practiced Falun Gong, my roommates began learning the exercise movements from me, listening intently whenever I recited the Fa from memory. Over time their health began to improve and they required less and less medication.
Upon seeing this, the facility’s police officers and security guards began turning a blind eye to our activities. Some guards advised others, “As long as they do not cause trouble, take it as though they are performing regular exercises. In any case, it has certainly helped their health and mental spirits.”
Many people were impressed by Falun Gong's healing powers.
One day, a detainee named Ling Ling [alias] sought me out and begged me to teach the detainees in her room. But we were assigned to different rooms and the facility did not allow us to come and go as we pleased. Master must have intervened, for I was transferred to her room within a few days of her request.
In Ling Ling’s room, I was introduced to a young girl named Xiao Qing [alias], who was also interested in practicing Falun Gong. Both told me of their wish to read Zhuan Falun. However I had not brought the book with me to the detention center. Master must have heard their wish, as soon after I was informed that I would be escorted home. The detention center manager intended to persuade my family to hand over some money to cover my meals at the facility. However my family was not home when we arrived. The police officers handed over my confiscated house key and allowed me to open the door. I managed to hide a copy of Zhuan Falun in my clothes when they were not looking, and after a time of fruitless waiting, the police decided to return to the facility.
Both Ling Ling and Xiao Qing were overjoyed at having obtained the book. They began reading it day and night. News spread, and soon there was a long line of eager readers. The book was passed around and read both day and night. The book was so popular and in such high demand that it caught the attention of the facility security guards and police, who asked about the nature of the book. The detainees unanimously replied that it was a book of Buddhist sutras.
Ling Ling and Xiao Qing were soon released, and to this day still continue to practice Falun Gong.
The room beside ours housed three men. One man, named Zhang Haitao, was so impressed that he asked us to teach him the Falun Gong exercise movements. However the only windows in our rooms directly faced the courtyard, and we were unable to see each other. Ling Ling then suggested, “It is impossible to teach you. Why not recite the phrase ‘Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance’ over and over?” The men were displeased and asked, “What good is that?” Ling Ling replied, “Just give it a try.”
Taking her advice, the three men began to recite “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” over and over. Within minutes, they began to feel unbearably hot, even though it was the height of winter. They started removing their cotton jackets and layers of clothing until their chests were bare. Rivulets of sweat streamed from their bodies as they continued reciting.
This amazing spectacle was observed by patrolling police officers and security guards, who marveled at the amazing powers of Falun Dafa. One of the men then suggested, “Why not recite a different phrase and see what happens? We can replace the words with ‘Zhang Haitao’.” The cold increased as they recited this new phrase, and the men were soon rushing to put on their winter clothing and coats.
This experience convinced them of Dafa’s power, and they began diligently reciting “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” from that day on.
I received news one morning that the detention center accountant wanted to see me. A police officer escorted me to the accountant’s office. During our meeting, the accountant accused me of not paying for my meals at the facility. I replied, “Imprisoning good people in this facility will only continue to place a burden on your resources. You should inform your superiors to release those who practice Falun Gong.” The accountant replied, “You can leave if you write a letter stating your intent to give up Falun Gong.”
At this juncture, my police escort, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, spoke out, “You can’t tell her to give up the practice. Her face is glowing and she is in a peak of health. She has been performing all kinds of hard labor while at this facility. In comparison, you are younger than her but look older, thinner, and paler. You should practice Falun Gong yourself!”
The accountant was left speechless after hearing his words.