May 20th was a most memorable day for Falun Dafa practitioners in Chengdu City, Sichuan province. It was most precious because it was the first time since July 22 those Chengdu Falun Dafa practitioners exchanged and shared their experiences in public.
That day, the Nanjiao [Southern Suburb] Park was beautiful, quiet, and peaceful as usual. About 300 Falun Dafa practitioners came from all different parts of the city. Although many of them knew that police would come, they did not care much. They have Falun Dafa in their hearts, and always conduct themselves openly and honorably. The eldest among them was over 80 year old, while the youngest is only 7 months of age. All of them were calm and peaceful.
One practitioner said that his heart beat very fast when leaving his home. But as he entered the park, a sense of majesty and magnificence that he never experienced before drove away all his fears. Another said, "I am ready to be put into prison. Look, I'm wearing the clothes suitable for imprisonment. I will not regret attending this experience sharing even if I am imprisoned." A young practitioner, only 5 years old, told me, "Today, Uncle Police will come here to make arrests." I asked him, "Are you afraid of this?" He said, "Not at all. Since I am not a bad kid. Uncle Police should go catch bad people." His pure-hearted reply touched everyone around him.
Around 9:00 AM, practitioners sat down in groups of three to five and started sharing their experiences. The majority of them had not been out in public since July 22. Through the exchange, many of these practitioners reached a common view, as a practitioner said: "Only by coming out and sharing the experiences, could I realize that I am already falling behind. I have to treasure Falun Dafa and catch up." Another said: "After the exchange, I strongly feel that I have improved in many aspects, and have come to understand some more principles". As our Teacher has told us: "The form of cultivation practice that I have left for Falun Dafa practitioners ensures that they can truly improve themselves. For example, I ask you to practice the exercises as a group in parks to form an environment. This environment is the best way to improve a person. The lofty conduct that Falun Dafa practitioners have established in this environment -- including every word and every act -- can make people realize their own weaknesses and identify their shortcomings; it can move one's heart, refine one's conduct, and enable one to make progress more rapidly...." This exchange had indeed played its role of encouraging, improving, and transcending practitioners.
In the morning from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, everyone was immersed in a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. Around 11:00 AM, dozens of police officers suddenly showed up. They surrounded the practitioners. No one was allowed to leave, no food, no water, nor going to rest room. In the afternoon the practitioners were taken to different police dispatch stations near their residential area for further disposition. Practitioners were locked in detention rooms in dispatch stations. The conditions there were extremely unpleasant. A room less than 8 square meters held 16 Falun Dafa practitioners. There was a toilet but no ventilation, no windows, and only an iron door. Those few days, it was very hot in Chengdu. The temperature reached 47 degrees Centigrade in the detention room. Some elderly practitioners' noses started bleeding. Since the room was so small, people could only stand and could not walk and their legs began swelling. Practitioners were held under these severe conditions for 3 days and 2 nights. None of them complained, and kept smiling and treated everybody kindly. Some police officers were moved to tears when they saw this: "We understand you, and are also very sympathetic to you. Yet we are not able to do anything. Whatever instructions are passed down from our superiors, we have to follow." Practitioners smiled toward them: Although our bodies are locked in prison cells, our minds were flying freely in the immense universe. Your bodies are entirely free, yet your hearts were locked tightly and miserably in a cell." He smiled with bitterness; "It might be so."
Of the 200 or so practitioners arrested, everyone's home was ransacked. Many of them were detained for 30 days on criminal charges. Some were detained for 15 days on public security violations. Few were let go within several days. This unjust act of the Chengdu Public Security agencies against Falun Dafa practitioners caught people's attention and raised their concerns. Many of them couldn't understand. One person asked: "Isn't the government going crazy? These people were just chatting in the park, and they didn't hold a conference. Which law did they violate? Who did they interfere with? Why did the government use such brutal force?" Some people said that the government overreacted to the Falun Gong practitioners. The practitioners do not have any freedom, not even the basic rights of a citizen. It seems that as soon as they walk outside their homes, they are under suspicion of violating the law. As soon as they open their mouths, they are committing a crime. There is no justice at all. Yet the chief officer of one dispatch station explained: "Higher (government) authorities made it clear to us. 'Regarding Falun Gong, you don't need to seek any advice or file any report. Take whatever measures you feel are necessary.' They instructed us that if it is in your jurisdictional area, if there is manslaughter and fire setting on one side, and there is Falun Gong activities on the other side, the top priority you need to deal with is Falun Gong. You don't have to worry about man-slaughter or fire setting." A practitioner asked him: "What if the people being killed are your parents, wife, or children? Will you catch the killer or the good people?" The chief was at a loss for words.
After this, practitioners are becoming stronger. Many of those who were not willing to tell the truth for Falun Dafa due to self protection have now been stepping onto the path of appealing to authorities and telling the truth of Falun Dafa. As our Teacher once said: "Every attempt of a sabotage against us, turns out to be an effort to promote us." This unusual gathering has encouraged all practitioners in Chengdu to advance further in cultivation practice. No matter what is encountered in the future, and no matter how we are treated by the government, we will resolutely walk along our own path. "Cultivate Falun Dafa firmly, and follow Teacher closely", and never fall behind.
May 28, 2000
(Translated on May 30, 2000)
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Category: Personal Accounts of Early Days
