(Minghui.org)
Greetings, Revered Master!Greetings, fellow practitioners!
Master said,
“Doing the three things well is what’s most important for a Dafa disciple.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the New York Fa Conference Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Dafa’s Spreading”)
Reflecting upon the last six years as a Dafa Disciple, I have not done the three things well enough, but through my experiences, I came to realize that the three things are closely related; I must do each of the three things well and wholeheartedly.
Fa-study and Doing the Exercises
I work full-time with rather long hours. I was also engaged in academic studies over the last few years, so spare time was scarce every day. In the first year of my cultivation, I had not yet joined any Dafa validation projects. I would spend every holiday at home studying Zhuan Falun and Master’s other books and recent writings, reading non-stop for eight to ten hours a day. Since I knew I would not have much time on weekdays to study the Fa, and I also needed to spend time on my doctoral thesis, I treasured the limited time even more. During the day or while in traffic after work, I would study the Fa on my cellphone. Even on a trip, on a plane or on a train, I would study Zhuan Falun non-stop.
I had read Zhuan Falun many times in this way, but I heard from fellow practitioners that some practitioners could recite Zhuan Falun in its entirety by heart. It seemed like an unimaginable task. Therefore, I did not think of memorizing Zhuan Falun at that time. But I heard that many young practitioners could memorize Master’s Hong Yin, so I decided to work on this simpler task first.
After I had finished my doctoral thesis, I had more spare time, and the idea came up: I should start memorizing the Fa! I was hesitant at first, but the thought always came up. So one day while in traffic after work, I made up my mind to start memorizing the Fa. I am quite good at memorizing for my studies, so memorizing the first two paragraphs went quite smoothly. But after a few paragraphs, it became more difficult. Coincidentally, there were quite a few articles on Minghui about memorizing and reciting the Fa. After reading other Dafa practitioners' experiences, I tried to memorize paragraph by paragraph. When I could recite a paragraph without any mistake for a few times, I would move on to the next paragraph. This was not as difficult as reciting right from the start, but it was not a simple task at all! I memorized the Fa quite slowly, but never thought of giving up. After two years, I finished reciting the Fa for the first time. Memorizing the Fa is also a process of cultivating my heart. Such a long and difficult process takes persistence.
Memorizing the Fa helps me understand more deeply the inner meanings of the Fa. In the face of conflicts, I can immediately remind myself to act in accordance with the Fa. When I am diligent in memorizing and reciting the Fa, things go more smoothly when working on Fa-validation projects. At truth-clarification sites, I get more positive responses from tourists, and I can distribute the practitioners' newspaper more efficiently. Now I have started to memorize the Fa for the second time. I can memorize and recite faster this time, and it feels less difficult than the first time.
Ever since I started cultivating, doing the exercises has always been my weak spot. When I just obtained the Fa, I did not really want to do the exercises. Though I could do the full lotus position right from the start, and could soon meditate for a full hour, the Falun Standing Stance has always been hard for me. As a result, I could not even practice the 5 sets of exercise every few days, let alone do them daily. I knew this wasn’t right, but I always found various excuses to skip the exercises. I really admire other Dafa practitioners who can do the exercises every morning persistently. Then, Minghui published many articles sharing practitioners' experiences doing the exercises. I made up my mind to get up at four every morning to first practice the meditation, then send righteous thoughts, and then practice the first 4 sets of exercises before going to work.
It was difficult to wake up so early at first, but I do not feel sleepy or tired at work. Quite the opposite, when I could not wake up to practice, I would be more easily exhausted, and would fall asleep while sending righteous thoughts. When I have practiced the exercises regularly, I feel great because I have met Master’s requirements, but I still sometimes go back to skipping the exercises. I hope that I can persist in practicing the exercises regularly.
Clarifying the Truth
In the second year of my cultivation practice, I joined some Fa validation projects such as clarifying the truth to tourists, distributing The Epoch Times newspaper and carrying out supporting tasks for rallies and parades. When I first came to the truth-clarification site, as I could not speak Mandarin well, I mainly just displayed posters for tourists to read and answered questions only when I was asked. Then I realized that I should not be held back by any human notions. As long as I have a good and righteous state of mind, and clarify the truth with a peaceful and kind attitude, the tourists would understand the truth even if I couldn’t speak well.
One day, a group of tourists waiting to get on a bus were reading my posters about the Tiananmen Self-immolation Hoax. I asked them whether they had heard about this incident. One tourist answered in an unfriendly tone, “Of course. It was all over the TV. You guys set yourselves on fire.” The other tourists also spoke in agreement with him. I sent righteous thoughts and reminded myself not to argue and not to get angry. Then I smiled and calmly explained to them the facts that reveal how the self-immolation on Tiananmen Square was a staged hoax. As I spoke, the tourists’ expressions and tone began to change. The “unfriendly tourist” said to me earnestly, “I understand everything now, but telling tourists one by one is not enough, you should get the media to spread the news!” I smiled and answered, “As long as you understand the truth, my coming here today is not in vain. Telling people one by one means more and more people will know the truth. You can also tell your family and friends for me, then more people will understand.” Then I told them about The Epoch Times, NTDTV and other media that are not under the control of the CCP. They said they had not heard of them, so I talked to them about how to break through the CCP's internet blockade to check them out. They smiled and waved goodbye before leaving. Although my Mandarin was not fluent and I could not explain things too well, I understood that those details are not important. What truly matters is our righteous thoughts and a determined heart to save sentient beings!
Besides going to truth-clarification sites, I realized the importance of talking about Dafa to my family and friends. I would bring truth-clarification newspapers, little lotus charms, and decorations for my family, and brought my family members overseas to see the Shen Yun performances.
But the most memorable experience was to clarify the truth to my thesis advisor. She is learned, kind and gentle, and has helped me a lot during my studies. I feel a predestined connection with her and had wanted to clarify the truth to her. I'd just started cultivating at that time, and my righteous thoughts were not strong enough. I was held back by several human notions: the CCP’s slanderous campaign against Falun Dafa was so evil; she was the vice president of the university, would someone with such a high education and status listen to what I say? What would she think of me afterward?
When I graduated, I realized that it would be the final chance, so I mustered up my courage and asked for a meeting with her. I told her that I practice Falun Dafa and gave her some leaflets. Then I told her how Dafa disciples are persecuted in China, how we clarify the truth, our efforts to call for an end to the persecution, as well as how Dafa is spreading around the world. She listened to me patiently, then she said, “Now I see, I understand everything you said. When I was teaching in the U.S., a friend of mine had told me about these things too.” Then she asked me to speak further about things that she didn’t understand about Dafa. At that moment, I was almost moved to tears. I'd thought it would be so hard to clarify the truth to people, but Master has already arranged everything for us. He is just waiting for us to open our mouths and motivate ourselves to do it. I keep in contact with my thesis advisor and send her news about upcoming Shen Yun performances every year, hoping that she will take the precious opportunity to watch the show.
Sending Forth Righteous Thoughts
Sending forth righteous thoughts is one of the three things Dafa disciples must do well. Master has mentioned the importance of it many times.
Master said,
“My Dafa disciples, your righteous thoughts do have an effect. And the combined effect of each of you together is powerful beyond compare. The reason you can’t achieve such an effect is that your faith is lacking, and your righteous thoughts aren’t strong enough. With so many Dafa disciples around the globe sending righteous thoughts at the same time, 100 million plus Dafa disciples sending righteous thoughts together at the same time globally, would that not be terrifying to the evil and the old forces? To the gods, it would be a truly magnificent sight. What power! Even with just one Dafa disciple, if your righteous thoughts are strong, the power is enough to split a mountain—just one thought will do it.” (“What is a Dafa Disciple,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XI)
Due to my work schedule, I often cannot send righteous thoughts at noon and at 6:00 p.m. When this happens I find another time to make it up, and I often send righteous thoughts while commuting. I also silently recite the sacred words: “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,” hoping that the righteous energy field will benefit other sentient beings.
Clarifying the truth in Hong Kong is not an easy task. Many truth-clarification sites are interfered with by evil CCP thugs. When we are telling tourists the facts about Dafa, they sometimes use every possible means to harass and attack us. So every time before going to the truth-clarification sites, I recite “Lunyu” and send righteous thoughts. When distributing the newspaper, I send righteous thoughts to clear away anything that would obstruct sentient beings from receiving the truth. At Falun Dafa rallies and parades as well as when doing other Fa-validation projects, I also send righteous thoughts.
I cannot see the true power of sending righteous thoughts like some practitioners can. But just recently, I experienced vividly the power of righteous thoughts. Every Chinese New Year, local practitioners set up a big truth-clarification booth at the Lunar New Year Fair. We distribute leaflets, lotus ornaments, and other materials, as well as play videos about Dafa. This year, my husband and I were responsible for editing those video clips. Just two days before the fair started, our computer broke down and would not start. Looking at the black screen of the monitor, we decided to send righteous thoughts. Soon the computer restarted, and we finished the editing smoothly. Then we checked the computer and discovered that the whole circuit board was burnt and blackened, yet no accident occurred and we could still use the computer for the job. We sincerely thank Master!
I have been cultivating Dafa for six years now. There are still a lot of things I need to improve on. I constantly remind myself that I am no longer a new practitioner. I have to do better to meet the higher standard and do the three things of Dafa practitioners more diligently and wholeheartedly. Here I would like to respectfully read Master’s Fa:
“Cultivate with the heart you once had, and spiritual perfection is certain! May you grow ever more diligent as you approach the end!” (“To the Experience-Sharing Conference in Taiwan”)
Let us encourage and remind one another.
Fellow practitioners, please kindly advise me if there is anything inadequate in my experience sharing!
Thank you, Master!Thank you, fellow practitioners!
(Presented at the 2019 Hong Kong Fa Conference)
