(Minghui.org) At the end of 2019, my university classmates asked everyone in our group to write a memoir about our most memorable life experiences.
I understood why my classmates wanted to compile a memoir book. We graduated decades ago and now only a few of us are still alive. It is a good way to share our accomplishments throughout the years and record the touchstone moments in our lives. I was reluctant because it was very time-consuming.
In early 2020, several classmates called from other cities, hoping that I would share my stories. The classmate who was elected editor-in-chief asked me to write at least 50,000 words before the end of August 2020. He is a university professor. He is an honest person and we kept in touch, so I reluctantly agreed.
One of the primary reasons my classmates wanted me to write was that I had the most unique life experiences in our group.
I was invited to teach after graduating from university; I became a professor due to my hard work and contribution to the school, and I held senior management positions. More importantly, I started practicing Falun Dafa. Because I did not give up my practice, I was illegally sentenced to prison. Many classmates could not understand why I would rather give up my career than renounce my faith. They all wanted to know more about what I went through.
I thought of Master’s teaching, “Your mere existence has the effect of saving sentient beings.” (Teachings at the 2004 International Conference in New York)
After thinking it over, I decided to write the memoir and share my experiences so they could all learn about the wonderfulness of Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
I began by writing about my old days at the university. I wrote about my fond memories of my classmates when we were all young. I wrote with respect about my teachers. I wrote about my students that I treated as my own children. I also wrote about how I fulfilled my school duties. I wrote about my friends who offered help after the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) began pressuring me. I wrote about how they protected me despite threats. I wrote about how they encouraged me to keep my faith after I was illegally persecuted for my belief.
Then, I wrote the most important chapter. I shared my understanding of the meaning of life to answer why I did not give up cultivation practice despite the severe persecution.
I wrote how I learned about Falun Dafa, why I decided to practice and how I benefited both physically and mentally. I wrote about how Falun Dafa resolved my diseases and how I understood that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the only criterion for measuring good and evil. In the past twenty years, although I’ve been persecuted, I have no complaints or regrets because I feel I am the most fortunate person—a Falun Dafa practitioner.
During the process of writing, the stories of the old days became fresh again. I realized my hidden attachments, such as resentment, jealousy, and showing off. I also once again experienced Master’s compassion and realized how he protected me.
I concluded my memoirs with this paragraph, “Looking back over my life, I experienced storms in my career, and ups and downs in my personal life. On the path of life where I had been pursuing the true meaning of life, I finally found Falun Dafa. I would not be here today without Master’s protection and Dafa’s guidance. There is only one word left in my heart—gratitude.”
Moved to Tears
I sent my draft to a retired chief editor of the school’s journal to proofread. Three days later, he sent back the reviewed version with a note on the first page, “It is sincere, vivid, and touching. I could not help but weep as I read it. I was in tears several times and was amazed that there is indeed such a good person in this society!” His brother also read my draft and he said, “I saw a pure and sincere heart from your writings.”
I sent out the draft as promised. A few days later, the editor-in-chief texted me, “Dear classmate, it was so touching. I wept several times as I read it. I admire your courage in facing the persecution, and I was so relieved when I read about how your colleagues protected you. The power of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is infinite. Your compassion saved you!”
He knew I was a practitioner and was always concerned about my safety. He was surprised to see that so many good people, including my leaders and colleagues, offered to help despite threats, risk, and pressure when I was persecuted. He firmly believes my perseverance in my faith and the assistance I received were not from human power but the power of Falun Dafa. So although he knows the three words are forbidden in China, he still sent me the message, “The power of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is infinite!”
He sent me another text after I sent him a revised version, “I read it again and could not calm down for the rest of the day. No other articles moved me to tears.”
The coordinator compiled our articles into a book. He printed many separate copies of my article and asked me to share them with my friends.
One day, a classmate who is in the same city met with me. After commenting a bit about our memoirs, he suddenly asked, “Why are you so lucky that all the people you met helped you? Why am I so unlucky that all the people around me have stepped on me?” I looked at him and smiled, “That’s not the case! Everyone has difficulties in their lives. Master Li taught us that “...cultivators have no enemies,...” (“Turning the Wheel Towards the Human World,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III). So I only kept those who have helped me in my memory.”
He shook his head, “I can not forget those people who hurt me.” I said, “My heart only has room for friends and gratitude, so I feel relaxed and happy. Your mind is full of the memories of being hurt. You always feel angry and that life is unfair, so you feel tired and bitter.” He listened carefully. I continued, “Your wife told me you became stubborn, irritable, and isolated these years. It is the result of this mindset.” He smiled and nodded.
One month later, a retired leader’s wife, who is almost ninety years old, called me. She said, “I have some comments on your book.” She said, “First, you are very compassionate. Second, you are so sincere…” I listened carefully. She said, “You are Master Li’s good student!” I knew she was not well educated. I realized that she must have written down what she was telling me. I was moved to tears hearing what she said because I knew how hard it was for her to write something so long at her age!
A few days later, I met with our community management director. She stopped me and said, “Your memoirs are so vivid and touching! I told my husband, my brother, and my children your stories. I was moved when I read how you protected and rescued the fifty students from our school who went to Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and saved their lives despite the pressure from the authorities.” I told her it was my responsibility as a leader.
She said, “I also told them about your unique contribution to the school. When you were responsible for the school’s civilization campaign, you did not focus on the constructions or decorations of the campus like other schools. Instead, you worked to improve the students’ moral standards. As a result, our school grew from an otherwise unremarkable school to a top-ranked school in our province.” I said, “I started practicing Falun Dafa at that time. So I was able to lead the campaign according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, which is why the result was an unexpected miracle.” She agreed.
She then said, “You were persecuted because you practiced Falun Dafa. I was surprised that so many people helped you. I admire that professor who dared to speak up during the investigation meeting about you. She said you are the best person in the school. As a result, the investigation meeting that aimed to collect materials as evidence to persecute you was in vain.”
I sent the memoirs to a domestic security police officer as well. Several days later, he texted me, “Professor, I have read your book. I saw sincerity, kindness, justice, fairness, simplicity, and gratitude in you. I hope you can write more stories about your experiences. Thank you for letting me get to know you. You are a good person. I hope you can stay safe and healthy. Please accept my best wishes.” I was so happy for him, and I believed he would treat practitioners well in his position.
Two days later, a very successful classmate called me about the memoirs. He said, “I read your book several times. It was so touching. You are the smartest one in our class.” I said, “All of our classmates are smart. For example, you are the only one who received the nationwide honor of…” he cut me off and said, “All those were just like a flicker of smoke in our lives. After our lives are over, nothing will remain.” I then realized that what he meant by saying I was the smartest one was that I had found the true meaning of life and found the truth of life.
I did not intend to influence others with my book. I just wrote it with compassion in my heart and told my true stories. However, after my memoir was published, I received so many moving responses. Once again, I am so grateful to Master for changing me into a person assimilating to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and that I can help others feel the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa.
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