In March, I interviewed a lady from Australia who was detained in the Beijing Detention center for 10 days. This article was copied down from the record of our talk. As I have not been able to contact her since then, her name was concealed as F.
Question: What happened in the detention center for the few days when you were in there?
F: I was brought to the Beijing Detention Center (also called the Seventh Unit) in February. It was not a jail. Before I was brought there, I was told that it was the place for those who were sentenced to death or on death row. Whatever the situation is, I thought, I would behave myself according to the Falun Dafa Practitioner's standard. I had imagined what the criminals here were like before I came. However, when the door was opened, the impression I had previously vanished completely.
When the big metal cell door was opened, I heard noise of handcuffs and shackles. The people in the cell came to the door. There were eight or nine faces with friendly smiles. The other two or three sat on the wood bed without any expression. I could not help asking: "Are you Dafa Practitioners?" I was very happy because I felt their true inner happiness from their smiles. After the door was locked, they asked me: "Where are you from?" I said: "I am a Falun Gong Practitioner from Australia." They said: "We have seen many practitioners here. One group followed by another. Before coming here, we had no idea what Falun Gong was. But after having met many practitioners, we get to know what is Falun Gong. So we started to cultivate ourselves and study the Fa. You can recite 'Zhuan Falun' for us." I felt quite embarrassed at this request. I said: "I could not recite the whole book, though I have practiced for several years and read 'Zhuan Falun' many times, we can share our experiences." They said: "How about 'Essential for Further Advances?'" I answered: "I could not do it either. But I am familiar with the content." I was told that some of them could recite all the articles in "Essential for Further Advances". They knew how many articles there are, the names and the content of the articles. They kept asking: "Have you memorized all the poems in Hongyin?" "I have not memorized those either, even though I read it many times." I said. But some of them could recite all the poems in "Hongyin". At that time, I really felt the power of Falun Dafa and the great compassion of Master Li. He gives every living being a chance no matter where you are or under what circumstances you are, even for those sentenced to death. After they had learned Falun Dafa, their attitude has changed. They would no longer live in despair and world-weary.
Before I entered the detention center, the guard told me that the criminals were extremely selfish, as they only had a limited time to live. They would do whatever they wanted to do. But from what I saw here, the people in my cells were different. They had all learned Falun Dafa to various extents. At the beginning, they all had some impressions of Falun Dafa from the government's propaganda that was shown on TV 24 hours a day, saying how bad Falun Gong was. But after having contact with Falun Dafa practitioners, they changed their notions little by little. For instance, in a cell, most were Dafa practitioners except two other criminals. Because they had been practicing exercises, they were put in handcuffs and shackles with their hands to their backs. After a few days, their bodies and limbs became swollen due to the blocked blood circulation. They could not live by themselves. The guard asked the two criminals to help them. As these two inmates were extremely selfish, they beat practitioners for making trouble for them. The guard said that if they practiced, they would be treated this way. Later, they realized that the practitioners were not intentionally making trouble for them. On the contrary, the practitioners were not upset, didn't have any complaints and hatred towards them. They did not complain the unjust treatment of the government. Whenever there was a chance, the practitioners would tell them what is Falun Gong, how they had benefited from it, how they had changed after practicing it, and why Falun Dafa was good. Although being detained, they still believed in Falun Dafa. The practitioners told them the principles of Falun Dafa. There was kind nature in everyone's heart, little by little, they began to change themselves and see what Falun Gong practitioners are, not like the government's propaganda. They stopped beating the practitioners. The practitioners' arms and legs were swollen like little white gourds. Their skin was transparent due to edema, which seemed to be broken with a touch. Even under this condition, they still looked for their shortcomings and what they had not enlightened to, and what attachments they still had. The two inmates listened and began to understand that the practitioners were not everyday people. They took care of the practitioners. But to avoid being trouble to others, the practitioners sat with their legs crossed, put their bowls on their legs and bent down to eat, as their hands were handcuffed behind them. They didn't eat salted vegetables and drink soup so they wouldn't use the bathroom as often. The two inmates have changed completely, and began to study and recite the Falun Dafa books.
This is just an example that many inmates in the detention center have learned Falun Dafa more or less.
Question: How many practitioners were in the cell where you stayed?
F: About 8 or 9, as there were a total of 12 people in a cell.
Question: Are they of all ages and everyone was put in handcuffs and shackles?
F: Yes. Their hands and feet were in shackles even at night, so their whole body would swell. Sitting against the wall, they could only sleep for 4 hours a day. Once the criminals got to know Falun Dafa, they liked to talk to the practitioners for whom they regarded as good people. One of them said that if she had known Dafa before coming here, she would have never done all those terrible things, and if she could get out, she would definitely study Falun Dafa, if not, she would try to have Falun Dafa books and practice in jail.
Q: What kind of crimes had they committed?
F: Most were in for murder or for dealing drugs. They have been exposed to Falun Dafa and have gained a good understanding of Falun Dafa somehow. When I met them, they had not read "Zhuan Falun" or seen Teacher's picture. For example, there was a person who was in charge of the cell, who was sentenced to life in jail and all her confederates were sentenced to death. She did whatever she wanted. But she had got the chance to learn Falun Dafa from the practitioners, and now she could recite all of the poems in "Hongyin" and several articles in "Essential for Further Advances". Without the books and paper, she would recite "Zhuan Falun" word by word with great patience for people if they wanted to learn. The inmates could recite some chapters of Falun Dafa books to different extents. Besides reciting books and talking to others, she became so considerate for others as if she were a different person. Initially, I wanted to tell people there what is Falun Dafa. But after coming in, I found the shortcomings of my own. In many aspects, she did better than me. She helped others to know Falun Dafa through communications according to different situations. The people all wanted to create a cultivation environment in the cell. When there were conflicts among them, they did not realize it right away sometimes, but they became aware of what they had not done right after it was over. They would admit what they had done wrong, instead of blaming others. They gradually got to know their own weaknesses. After all, they had made their mind to cultivate themselves through Falun Dafa. We felt Teacher's presence and he is always helping us to find our shortcomings to make further advances in cultivation and practice.
Question: When did you study Falun Dafa in the cell?
F: They usually studied the Fa after the sleeping bell was rung at 9:00 PM. One incident gave me a deep impression. One day after the sleeping bell rung, one person said: "I begin to study the Fa." Then I asked her: "How could you study as there are no books?" She answered: "I recite all the contents I have learned. I could not remember some contents very clearly so I recite them more often. I could understand a little more every time I recited. And also I get better understanding through sharing experiences with others." Another conversation also gave me a deep impression. A girl who was sentenced to life in jail, once told me: "When I was a little kid and just started to understand the world, I was always thinking that my life was not given by my mom and dad. I thought that life should not be like this. When I was young, I was nice and liked to help others. I would feel sorry to see that someone was bullied or humiliated by others. After I grew up, it seemed that everyone around was stronger than me. I was so weak and I was wondering why I was bullied so often. I tried to understand what life was and why I came to earth. But I had no answer. I told myself that I should be strong. Though I was timid, I forced myself to do what others could do. Gradually, I did what others could do, even what others could not, and became a robber. When I got to learn Dafa, I began to realize the meaning of life. It was because I did not know the principles of life before that I became such a terrible person. If I had known Falun Dafa before, I would never have lead such a life."
Question: Is she thirty years old?
F: About in her twenties. Not married. She said: "If I could lead a new life, I would never live life that way. Falun Dafa has told me the meaning of life. But things are the way they are now. It is not important how long I would stay in jail. I am glad that I have learned the Fa and would cultivate myself wherever I stay and wherever I go, and also spread Falun Dafa to others. So I have to get to know Falun Dafa more and more." She has made such a big progress in cultivation.
The other lady was sentenced to death for murdering her husband. She told me a lot about her cultivation. She had no obstacle to accept Falun Dafa after she met the practitioners. Her heart was always peaceful. She said: "I would surely keep on practicing Dafa." Two days before I left the cell, she asked me: "Have you ever seen our Master?" "Yes." I answered. She continued: "Does our Master look like this?" And then she described to me little by little what she knew. I said, "Yes." I asked her: "You have never seen our Master or his pictures or Fashen (the law body), how did you know?" She said: "I saw Master in my dream. Master was dressed in the Buddha's robe." I asked: "What did Master tell you?" She said: "Master told me: 'You should cultivate in Falun Dafa.'" She said: "Master was encouraging me. If I had only one day left to live, I would cultivate conscientiously no matter where I might go." She was very considerate to others. For instance, there was a person who was sentenced to death in our cell, her hands were handcuffed behind her and she could not take care of herself. She looked after this person. She treated all these minor things as cultivation. She was very optimistic and she had changed all her notions for life, death and predestined relationship.
There were some other people who did not support, nor object to Falun Dafa, watching us indifferently. The head of the cell told me: "You show them who you are. If you have done well, they would accept you." I thought that it was a special cultivation environment. I adapted to the new environment as I found my weaknesses and helped others to know Falun Dafa through my own right behavior. More people would like to practice the cultivation. Some of them began to recite the Falun Dafa books and to do sitting meditation with their legs crossed. They said: "We began to realize how dangerous it was outside where everyone was fighting others. Initially, we were pessimistic after coming. But after we have learned Falun Dafa, we are not living in despair any more." More and more of them became optimistic to life. They have changed tremendously, become considerate and cared for others. Though the cell was small, their inner world was growing bigger and bigger. On someone's birthday, they would hold a party to celebrate. They sang together for they have known the meaning of life. I think one's mind will be truly free if he or she studies Falun Dafa, no matter what situation and environment he or she has.
There is another story. A person had complained about her heavy sentence. She wanted to get out earlier and resume the life she had. Another person who was sentenced to death, said: "If we were still out there and did not know Falun Dafa, it would be very dangerous for us to fight for fame and self-interest, since we would have tried to get our personal interests by all means. Under such circumstances, the things were arranged for us so we could learn Falun Dafa and cultivate. We should cherish this environment and not complain, eager to get out back there." I felt they have really changed and improved themselves. I really feel the greatness of Dafa, and immerse compassion from our great Master. Falun Dafa is fair to all sentient beings. It depends on our own attitude toward Falun Dafa. Even those criminals, when Falun Dafa moved their minds, one couldn't imagine how great the changes they have made. These are what I could recall.
Question: Could you describe with more details how the person in handcuffs and shackles could sleep?
F: I was really moved once. Every night there were two people on duty. The first one was from 9:00PM to 2:00AM. The other was from 2:00AM to 6:30AM. There was a felon with her hands handcuffed behind her; it is very hard to sleep with your hands handcuffed like that. She couldn't sleep, tossing and turning on the bed all night. In a small cell, everyone had only a small place to sleep. She would surely disturb the others. Two or three days before I was released, I happened to see the person who was on duty hold the felon's arms and legs to help her to sleep, so the others could get some sleep. I thought: "It is uncomfortable for her to hold a person like this. But for the sake of the others, she is willing to do it." The next day when I was on duty, I held the felon's arms and legs too. But she still turned back and forth. So I sat behind her, supported and comforted her. She had a sound sleep that night. I felt that my behavior is quite natural. Another person sneered at me and asked me: "Did your legs feel numb?" I answered: "No, I didn't feel anything." She continued: "Then I'll ask you a question. While doing it, did you feel that you were suffering so that you could upgrade your level, get rid of some karma and gain something while suffering?" I answered: "I did not think that way. In the beginning of my cultivation, sometimes I thought that through suffering one would get rid of karma and upgrade one's xinxing. The more I learn the Fa, the less I think this way. So it is natural to help others, and also I saw someone else do it too." Then she said: "Oh, that is what you people mean by 'Do something without intention.'" "Do you think I could do sitting meditation with two legs crossed? I had arthritis before." I said: "If you could treat yourself as a cultivator, you should not have any problem." After that, she began to accept Falun Dafa and gradually, she talked more and more about Falun Dafa.
After all, when I left there, the notions of people in the cell were completely different with that of everyday people. They would never harm others for their self-interest. They would like to help others at every moment and have known the real meaning of life.
Edited by a practitioner from Australia
June 30, 2000
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