(Clearwisdom.net) During the past ten years of Dafa practice, and particularly during the past six years of persecution, my family and I have overcome numerous tribulations. We tripped, we fell, and, with Master's compassion and protection and the guidance of Dafa, we picked ourselves back up and persisted. My most heartfelt understanding is that as long as we abide by and act according to Master's Fa, we can overcome any tribulation, as no tribulation can stop us if we stay focused on the Fa. Today I want to share some of my cultivation experiences. Please point out anything inappropriate with compassion.
Validating Dafa in Beijing in the winter of 2000
I went to Beijing five times to validate Dafa after the persecution started on April 25, 1999. (The nationwide persecution started on July 20, 1999.) I was not clear on Fa principles like I am now, and I simply validated Dafa with a pure heart and good intentions. Back in the winter of 2000, before I left home, my nine-year-old son said to me with tears in his eyes, "Mom, I don't really want you to go." When I asked why he said that, my son replied, "Because if you go, the police will arrest you, and I will lose you." I patiently explained to him, "Mom has to validate Dafa, because Mom is a practitioner and is responsible for safeguarding Dafa. You are the son of a practitioner and Master's young disciple. How can you hold me back?" He nodded. About eight days after I left for Beijing, my family had not heard from me and my husband was worried. He couldn't sleep or eat well. My son said to him, "Are you worrying about Mom? You shouldn't, because she went to validate Dafa and Master is protecting her!" My husband's worries instantly dissipated, and he actively "clarified the truth" and validated Dafa.
A year later, on April 25, 2002, I went to Beijing again and was illegally arrested. I realized that I was a Dafa practitioner and must leave the police department. As this thought emerged, an opportunity presented itself. I opened the door and walked out from under the noses of the police.
Clarifying the truth and rescuing the world's people
Before the persecution started in 1999, I always told people about the wonders of Dafa whenever they mentioned the words "Falun Gong." I participated regularly in group activities to spread the Fa. After the persecution began, I approached people who mentioned Dafa in my presence and I told them that our Teacher was being slandered. Later, when we learned that we must clearly clarify the truth and rescue sentient beings, we started carrying out specific activities. First, we bought some red paper and asked a fellow practitioner with good handwriting to write, "Falun Dafa Is Great," "Truth, Compassion, Forbearance Is Good," and "Restore My Teacher's Reputation," among other things. My whole family went out and posted these papers.
Master said,
"it doesn't matter how good or bad your handwriting is, they'll have energy!" ("Martial Arts Qigong" in The Sixth Talk in "Zhuan Falun")
We also wrote these messages ourselves. My son was young but he insisted on writing a few posters himself and took it very seriously. For a few days I slacked off and didn't post the placards. My son said, "Mom, please write them. I'll post them on my way to school in the morning." He often picked up posters that were torn down and re-posted them, and he pushed truth clarification materials that were placed outside people's homes inside their door. Since this city had many practitioners, we decided to go to the countryside. After dinner, my husband and I set off and walked the narrow streets in the countryside. We posted as we went. We put the posters on electric power poles, bridge railings and sometimes trees. I also said to these places, "You are blessed. Take care of these posters and don't let people tear them off!"
Once after we had arrived at a small village, we realized that other practitioners had just been there, so we went to another village on the other side of the bridge. When we stood on small hill I realized that the light from homes was so far away and I was cold. I said, "Let's not go there. We can hang the remaining posters in the city!" My husband said, "No, we should go to faraway places because people in remote areas are less likely to learn the truth. The sentient beings there need us!" We went to that village. Rain or shine, we persisted in validating Dafa.
We brought truth clarification materials with us when we visited friends and relatives. We clarified the truth wherever we went. My husband is not very articulate, but he can't stop talking when it comes to Dafa. We conducted ourselves strictly according to Dafa's requirements and didn't let go of a single opportunity to clarify the truth. A shop owner twice gave me extra change when I bought things from her. When I returned the extra money I told her that I practiced Falun Gong and that our Master teaches us to be honest. She said out loud, "No wonder Jiang can't suppress Falun Gong! Falun Gong practitioners are great! I've been running this shop for more than a decade. People have come to me because they have been shortchanged, but this is the first time someone is returning money to me!" People in the shop all said, "That's true! Don't listen to the [anti-Falun Gong] propaganda on TV now!"
One day in 2004 I suddenly remembered my childhood friends. Did they know the truth? As long as we have righteous thoughts, Master will arrange everything. One day a classmate whom I hadn't seen for 20 years phoned me and informed me that he had organized a class reunion. I knew this was an opportunity Master had arranged for me to offer salvation them. When I arrived at the meeting I saw more than 20 people. I seized the opportunity to clarify the truth and gave them VCDs.
I have experienced the wonder of Dafa on a daily basis then and everything went smoothly. Whomever I thought of meeting would show up, and I would meet predestined people even when waiting for a bus. I knew that
"Cultivation is up to you, gong is up to the master." (Zhuan Falun)
As long as we do things with sincerity and dedication, Master will create opportunities for us.
Recently, I have not given up a single opportunity to clarify the truth. I talk to everyone who comes to my shop about Falun Gong, and all of my employees have quit all organizations affiliated with the evil Communist Party.
I want to remind other practitioners and myself that we should cherish the path we have taken, because Master's compassion and sacrifices illuminate every step we take. If we need Master to give us a "stick wake-up" even toward the end, how can we bear to face Master, who patiently guides us with Fa principles, and how can we bear to face sentient beings who have earnestly placed their hopes in us? In conclusion, let us review Master's teaching:
I know that after you become clear on this you will quickly catch up, but you should take fewer detours on this most magnificent, divine path; not leave reason for regret in your futures; and not fall so far behind in terms of levels. That is my hope, your hope, and the hope of the beings who are counting on you. ( "The Closer to the End, The More Diligent You Should Be")