Shared at the 2005 Washington DC Falun Dafa Conference
(Clearwisdom.net)
Greetings Revered Master, hello fellow practitioners:
We are practitioners who were wrongfully convicted by the Hong Kong government for sidewalk obstruction. More than three years passed between the launching of the lawsuit in 2002, and its final conclusion in July 2005, when all charges were overturned. We wish to tell you the background story.
In March 2002, after Changchun practitioner Liu Chengjun and others played video footage exposing the Tiananmen self-immolation hoax on local Cable TV, former President Jiang Zemin issued a "Kill them without mercy" order to the police. Changchun police arrested 5,000 practitioners and tortured them--many to death. Keeping in mind the extreme urgency of this situation, four practitioners from Switzerland decided to travel to Beijing to appeal, but their visa applications were denied. Therefore, they decided to appeal in front of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) Liaison Office in Hong Kong. On the morning of March 14, 2002, the Swiss practitioners and several Hong Kong disciples began a peaceful sit-in and hunger strike. Their purpose was to expose the Jiang regime's atrocities against Dafa practitioners, and to ask people to support the call to stop the violence.
To our surprise, under strong pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, the Hong Kong government sent in about 60 police officers, and arrested all 15 practitioners. Subsequently, they tried us in court for seven crimes including, "obstructing the sidewalk," "preventing government staff from carrying out duties," and "assaulting police." After 26 days of court procedures, without substantial facts, the judge upheld all of the charges. After this verdict, we immediately appealed to the High Court in Hong Kong.
Looking back, we realized that the incident could have been prevented. We understood that the old forces took advantage of practitioners' attachments and arranged for this incident, ignoring the safety of sentient beings. This was not only a persecution of Dafa disciples, but it also brought severe damage to sentient beings. Since it had happened, however, we decided to do our best to deny this old forces' arrangement.
We realized that we must do the following:
1) Follow Master's requirement and look within for loopholes in our own xinxing.
2) Clarify the facts to people, minimize the damage done, and save more people during the process.
We accepted the challenge and stepped up our efforts to rationally, thoroughly and with a clear mind, clarify the facts to more people. We also exposed the fact that the Hong Kong government's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners was because of pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Master told us in "Teaching and Explaining the Fa at the Metropolitan New York Fa Conference:"
"Wherever a problem arises, that's where you need to clarify the facts. No matter what the end result will be, through doing this you will have chances to interact with more people and you'll clarify the facts on a large scale."
Master also said at the same conference,
"Actually, you're Dafa disciples, so hey, their plots are playing right into your hands! When they stir up trouble you'll have an opportunity to clarify the facts and expose the evil, right? 'As soon as you evil beings come near, I'll grab you and I'll let the world's people know.'--that's the perfect time to expose them."
Looking back, we found some of our omissions during the sit-in and the subsequent court appeal process:
1) We did not study the Fa well, and did not pay enough attention to self-cultivation. We also did not coordinate well as a whole body. The evil took advantage of our loopholes.
These omissions have resulted in the persecution by the Hong Kong government. Now we have realized that only when we are solid in our personal cultivation can we meet Master's requirement, "Validate the Fa with rationality, clarify the truth with wisdom, spread the Fa and save people with mercy." ("Rationality" from Essentials for Further Advancement II) These requirements complement each other. If we fight with people without rationality, the evil will certainly take advantage of our loopholes, and we will be walking on a path designed by the evil. Our appeal in front of the PRC Liaison Office was not wrong. The key was our mindset: Did we think as cultivators, or as everyday persons? In particular, did we treat the arrest as persecution by human beings? Were we validating ourselves, or Dafa?
On the other hand, we also held onto the competitive mentality. Therefore, the dark minions of the old forces seized the opportunity and persecuted us. We inadvertently followed the old forces' arrangement. If we had not had these omissions, the evil would not have had the opportunity to attack us.
For example, before this lawsuit, Hong Kong practitioners organized an appeal activity after it was learned that Masanjia Forced Labor Camp stripped 18 female practitioners and threw them into prison cells with men. The day we heard this terrible news, ten practitioners met, studied the Fa, and shared their understandings. The next day, we went to the PRC Liaison Office to appeal, hold a hunger strike, and expose the evil persecution. We reminded each other to act according to Master's teaching, "as a practitioner one should not fight back when being punched or insulted." (Zhuan Falun) and "Doing but pursuing not," (Hong Yin). No matter what happens, we decided we would remain calm. We would try to stop the persecution and send forth righteous thoughts. That time, the police carried all of us into police cars and took us to the police station. We did not have any conflict with them. We sat in lotus position, and sent forth righteous thoughts peacefully, quietly and rationally. The old forces could not find any reason to persecute us. After the arrest, fellow practitioners and coordinators publicized the event to the news media, and demanded that the police unconditionally release our people. Under the pressure from the media, the police failed to find an excuse to detain us any longer. They released all of us unconditionally.
This experience proved the following: Besides studying the Fa, abandoning our attachments, and denying the old forces' arrangements, we have to coordinate and cooperate with each other as one body. These are the important elements that enable us to validate the Fa and save sentient beings. Master once said that if all disciples coordinate well, the mighty power of the Fa will be maximized (not exact words).
In "Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference," Master told us:
"But all the same, Master doesn't acknowledge them [old forces' arrangements-translator's note]. And you shouldn't acknowledge them either. Do things well in an upright and dignified way, negate them, and strengthen your righteous thoughts some. 'I'm Li Hongzhi's disciple, I don't want other arrangements or acknowledge them'--then they won't dare to do that. So it can all be resolved. When you can really do that, not just saying it but putting it into action, Master will definitely stand up for you. What's more, there are lots of Fa guardians around Master, there are lots of Buddhas, Daos, and Gods, and there are even greater beings, and they will all participate, because forced persecution that's not acknowledged is a crime, and the cosmos's old laws don't allow it either--irrational persecution absolutely is not allowed, and the old forces don't dare to do it if that is the situation. So you should do things as righteously as you can."
2) When some rather significant events happen in some region, it not only targets the practitioners who have omissions, but it also tests the xinxing standard of all practitioners in the region as a whole.
The wrongful lawsuit was a test for every practitioner in Hong Kong, not just for the practitioners involved in the lawsuit. It was a test concerning our coordination and cooperation as one body. The evil's objective was to use this test as an excuse to take advantage of our omissions. They wanted to weaken our resolve and righteous minds, create division among us, and intensify our internal conflicts. For instance, when the court reached its unfair verdict, practitioners had all kinds of opinions. Some didn't understand our actions, some complained, some told us that we had brought damage to Dafa, that we had omissions, that we were causing troubles, etc. Facing the pressure from practitioners, we became scared. We looked deeply inside ourselves to find fault. We were afraid that we might do more damage to Dafa. We sank deep into self recriminations and could not recover. This self-doubting mentality did not solve anything. Just the opposite, we neglected to clarify the facts to the Hong Kong society during the three months prior to the court trial in June, 2002.
At that time, a large number of practitioners, including some practitioners involved in the case, thought that we had been wrong to appeal in front of the PRC Liaison Office. A majority of our practitioners did not have strong righteous thoughts. The dark minions under the old forces saw our minds in other dimensions and they said, "Look, even they say that they were wrong, so they have agreed with our arrangements. Now we will make them guilty of all charges." This was why the evil controlled the judge, who reached a guilty verdict. Master said,
"As I've said, everything that happens today in the ordinary society is the result of Dafa disciples' thoughts. Even though the old forces do exist, if you don't have those thoughts they can't do anything. When your righteous thoughts are strong enough the old forces can't do a thing." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2002 Fa Conference in Philadelphia, U.S.A.")
We believe that Master saw that most Hong Kong practitioners thought this way, and that everyone had been influenced by emotional criticisms of fellow practitioners. We could not concentrate during sending forth righteous thoughts and we did not clarify the facts in a timely fashion. The situation brought great pain to the fellow practitioners who had been wrongfully convicted.
Through studying the Fa diligently, we achieved a deeper understanding of teacher's words:
"The group of evil political scoundrels has never followed the law in dealing with Dafa disciples, so don't disapprove again of the actions Dafa disciples are taking as they clarify the truth, due to your attachment of fear." ("Look at Things with Righteous Thoughts")
Master's compassionate yet powerful words stabilized the Fa-rectification state in Hong Kong.
In fact, we should think of practitioners in China, of whom many go to Tiananmen Square to validate the Fa. Some have been arrested and tortured, and some have even lost their lives. How could anyone object to their actions of validating Dafa, just because they had omissions? Isn't that the same situation as our actions in front of the Liaison office? This ordeal also revealed everyone's xinxing level: Do you examine the incident while denying the evil's plot to damage Dafa and persecute practitioners? Or, do you examine the incident while blaming fellow practitioners for their omissions? Every Dafa practitioner is involved: Their business is your business, and your business is their business. Shouldn't we place Dafa in the highest position, while abandoning personal notions and helping each other to safeguard Dafa? Shouldn't we use our compassion to resolve the conflict and repair the damages to Dafa?
3) Our reaction to the court's original verdict, guilty on all charges
After the court decided to find the practitioners guilty on all charges, all practitioners in the case completely rejected the decision. When the police were fingerprinting us at the police station, we gave the police an article about people who persecuted Christians in their past lives, and received retribution in their current lives. We also clarified the truth to them, telling them not to persecute Falun Gong. The police officers were somewhat touched. Overseas practitioners also voiced their support to us by sending emails and faxes and by making phone calls. Under the overwhelming pressure, the police consulted with their boss, and finally set us free. Later, the court informed the police that they should ask us to pay a fine. We refused, because we were innocent. Paying the fine would have meant an admission of guilt.
4) Breaking through layers and layers of human notions, and eliminating all barriers to save sentient beings
During the court appeal, we organized weekly Fa-study and experience sharing meetings. When our case was to be heard by the High Court of Final Appeal, we discussed how to let the judges and public learn the facts about Dafa. In the past, we had also visited different offices of the court, delivering letters and making appointments with the judges. We had also talked to the judges' secretaries and had asked them to deliver our letters. Alas, at the time we were hindered by existing laws, which restricted meetings with judges, because the courthouses had rules stipulating that judges should not meet people casually, especially those who heard the cases.
We didn't feel comfortable about this, because we had no idea whether the judges had heard and understood the facts. Later, we studied Master's lecture in "Teaching the Fa at the 2004 International Fa Conference in New York." The following question and Master's answer gave us a new idea.
"Disciple: When clarifying the truth in Manhattan to the employees in the skyscrapers, we still encounter a lot of obstacles. How can we do better in breaking through the layers upon layers of obstacles and check points that the old forces set up, and thus bring the sentient beings in those buildings salvation?
Teacher: Yes, in fact when we go to those buildings to clarify the truth, it really is hard to get in, since everybody there is working. While everyone is working, if we go there to clarify the truth, their bosses will be upset for sure, and then they will think badly of us. Of course, that's not to say it is always that way. When circumstances permit we can do it. As for the employees in those companies, there are usually three times of day when you can come into contact with them. One is when they go to work, another is when they get off from work, and the last is when they eat lunch. Most of them come down for lunch. So at those three times we can opt to make an effort to reach them, and perhaps the results will be better."
Master's Fa words made us realize that we could hand flyers to the judges during their lunch breaks. We realized that we should also send forth righteous thoughts, let them know the facts, and save them.
We made big posters with pictures and displayed them near the High Court. All passersby could see the unfair treatment that we had received. Because we had been hoping for a chance to meet with the judges, to clarify the facts to them, Master made an arrangement. One day, while a practitioner involved in the case was distributing flyers to the public, one of the judges in charge of the High Court appeals case approached her with a smile and took a flyer from her. We knew clearly that Master's law body had arranged this chance to hand the flyer to the judge. As long as we approach saving people with a pure heart, Master will make it happen, so we can succeed in this giant task.
One month before the court date, some practitioners realized that we should quickly deliver our Dafa materials, the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and some truth clarifying VCDs to all the judges, attorneys, city council members, various government agencies and consulates of foreign countries. Over a short time, practitioners visited many people in their offices and delivered the materials to them.
5) Letting go of our pride, sincerely exchanging ideas with fellow practitioners who disagreed with us, and actively seeking our own faults, while cultivating ourselves
Early on in the appeal process, those involved in the case had not held deep discussions with other practitioners. There were even misunderstandings among each other. As a result, some practitioners did not fully support the appeals effort. Some practitioners involved in the appeal realized that we should take the initiative and talk to those practitioners who held negative views about us. This would allow us to resolve the misunderstandings between us, and dissolve completely the evil arrangement. Once we improved our common understanding according to the Fa, and began to coordinate and clarify the facts better, the evil no longer could bring damage us.
Through group study, we all gained better understanding of the Fa. As a result, fellow practitioners provided strong support to the practitioners involved in the case. One practitioner was initially not involved, but after he heard the details, he started to send personal letters to the judges, explaining the truth to them. On the last day of the four-day hearing at the High Court of Final Appeal, many practitioners stood outside of the courthouse sending forth righteous thoughts. This created a powerful energy field filled with compassion and serenity, which was so strong that the government lawyer could not even speak coherently. The collective effort by fellow practitioners demonstrated the mighty power of Dafa, which destroyed all the evil elements and shocked the evil. The righteous and merciful message touched the judges' hearts. Only one month after the hearing on May 5, 2005, the five judges unanimously reached the correct decision. All of the appeal arguments were validated, and all of the guilty verdicts in the lower court were overturned.
This successful case shows us that some fellow practitioners changed from disapproval, to understanding and finally being supportive. We began by clarifying the truth within the legal community. Later through Fa study and experience sharing, we improved our understanding of the Fa, and realized the importance of clarifying the truth to all the people in Hong Kong. Through this process, we became more and more mature.
The fundamental reason that we finally won the case is that the Fa rectification process has accelerated and has begun to manifest in this dimension. Also, the collective effort of truth clarification made a huge impact in securing the final outcome. Our common understanding of the Fa, our xinxing improvement, our coordination, cooperation, and sending forth righteous thoughts, all contributed as well.
In fact, the Fa guided our every step along the Fa rectification path. With Master's support, practitioners' continued efforts to clarify the truth, and sending forth righteous thoughts, we reduced our losses and made contact with special communities, which are not easily approachable. We created a new path. Dafa practitioners' righteous thoughts and righteous actions have changed people and improved the environment.
On July 8, 2005, the Hong Kong court was scheduled to hear another police lawsuit against Dafa practitioners on the charge of, "obstructing the sidewalk." Before the court date, many practitioners clarified the truth and sent forth righteous thoughts. We also obtained almost cost-free consultations from some lawyers. We thoroughly prepared for the hearing. Several days before the hearing, the police informed us that they won't provide any evidence, and that the judge will dismiss the case in court. So, Dafa practitioners' mercy saved more people, and has given them a bright future.
Before closing, I would like to read Master's poem, "Righteous Thoughts and Righteous Actions":
"A Great Enlightened Being does not fear hardship
Having forged an adamantine will
And with no attachment to living or dying
He walks his path of Fa-rectification openly and nobly."
Above are some of our experiences and understandings. Please let us know if there is anything inappropriate.
Thank you to our merciful and great Master!
Thank you everyone.