(Clearwisdom.net)
A Legendary Place to Cultivate Truthfulness
According to the legend, Taitung, at the southeast point of Taiwan, was the place Lu Dongbin cultivated truthfulness in Penglai Fairy Island. It is a long and narrow land from north to south, enclosed by the hills on one side and the water on the other. On its west, Taitung connects with the Central Mountains, rising one higher than the next, and the sky is blue with clouds. Its eastern region borders on the Pacific Ocean. At the horizon, the water along the sprawling coast line and the sky merge into one. Located between the mountains and the sea, it has its unique and natural scenery with hills and water like a wonderland in the mortal world. It is named "Back Mountain" as it is at the back of many mountains in Taiwan. Its whole appearance resembles a crouched lion facing north or a snail creeping toward the north. It is said that the place was one of the regions having the most artifacts and scenery in Taiwan 5,000 years ago. It still retains its reputation of being associated with many cultural relics and legends. For example, the name "Three Deity Formation" came from a legend that Lu Dongbin, Li Tyeguai, and He Syangu, three of the eight well known Chinese deities, had once been to this island.
 Taitung County is surrounded by the hills on one side and the water on the other. |
 Three Deity Formation |
Because there are six main tribes living here, including Puyuma, Amis, Bunun, Paiwan, Rukal, and Yami Tribes, it shows various features of aborigines' cultures. It is famous for the warm sunshine in all four seasons and the plentiful produce. Since it is located in the southeast corner of the island and it is inconvenient to commute to other places, it also lacks the modern facilities and noise pollution. Between the turquoise ocean and the blue sky, the people of Taitung show their unique simplicity and kindness. It is no surprise that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance has flourished here.
Falun Gong Spread to the Back Mountain in 1997
In summer 1997, Falun Gong practitioners of the early period in Taiwan traveled over the mountains to Taitung, spread the Fa and taught exercises, and thus provided the opportunity for the locals to obtain Dafa. Madam Zhu, one of the first practicing Falun Dafa in Taitung, recalls that she used to have a serious high blood pressure problem and often went to the emergency room in the middle of the night, and neither traditional Chinese medicine nor Western medicine worked for her.
 Practice at the Beinan Culture Park in the early period |  Practitioners practice near the shore of Pacific Ocean at dusk |
In November, 1997, Teacher Li Hongzhi came to Sanxing Elementary School in Taipei, Taiwan, and gave a lecture, and the Taitung practitioners made a special effort to join it. Madam Zhu describes the scene "At that time, I felt the Falun in my body rotating intensely and wanted to ask Teacher Li. During the 10 minute break of the lecture, when I was taking my hand bag with my head lowered, Teacher Li smilingly stood in front of me as soon as I stood up." He asked me kindly, "Did you understand what I said? " I answered that I understood. But Teacher Li smilingly asked again "I came from China. Did you understand my words?" I became numb after I said I understood. Meanwhile other practitioners reminded me about putting my palms together.
Only after Teacher Li walked somewhere else did I remember that I forgot to ask Teacher Li a question. Later, other practitioners said that the reason why Teacher Li came directly to me was that he knew I had a question. The answer was later found in the book, and Madam Zhu has held the happy feelings in her heart ever since. In winter 1997, Madam Zhu and her husband joined the Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference in Beijing and went to Changchun to study the Fa and share experiences with practitioners so that she knew how to create an environment for learning the exercises and to form a Fa study group. When returning to Taitung, she started to provide her home as a group study site, and she set up a practice site and also hosted nine day seminars. As the number of practitioners continually increased, they spread the Fa everywhere, added practice sites, and promoted the wonders of Falun Dafa.
People Obtain the Fa One after Another from the Plains to the Mountains
Taitung has a vast territory with a sparse population. In order to let more people know about Falun Dafa, the practitioners went to the countryside and the mountains to spread the Fa. For about ten years, practitioners went from north to south and from plains to mountains. The practice sites emerged from Taitung City to northeast Chihshang Township, the east coast of Donghe Township, and the off-shore Green Island. People who obtained the Fa included not only every tribe but also aborigines and China brides. They came from all walks of life, and included doctors, teachers, public servants, farmers, workers, businessmen, soldiers, restaurant managers, and housewives.
 Watching Teacher Li teach the Fa during the a nine day seminar |   Practice site in front of Dapo Pond in Chihshang Township |
 A nine day seminar was held many times in Chihshang Township |  Practice site at the Beinan Culture Park |
Because jobs were limited in Taitung, the outward migration became obvious. Many people left Taitung due to the job shortage after attending a nine day seminar. The practitioners in Taitung were few, and they were also older. However, Falun Gong was well known in Taitung and the words "Falun Dafa Is Good" was seen everywhere. Dafa was deeply embedded in the minds of the Taitung people.
 Spreading the Fa and teaching exercises at Guanshan Water Park |  Practitioners spread the Fa and teach exercises in the community |
 Dr. Guo spreads Falun Gong during a break after treating patients in Donghe Township |  Dr. Guo and his wife give truth clarifying materials to the residents |
Dr. Guo, director of the Health Clinic of Dungho Township, spreads Falun Gong after seeing patients. He takes half an hour to practice and teach exercises during lunch hour every day. Most the residents near the village know that Falun Dafa is good and many people also benefit from practicing. According to Dr. Guo, there was a woman who had a brain tumor pressing against her nerves. The pain was unbearable and she cried often because of it. She did not want to be operated on, therefore she took medicine and injections to alleviate the pain. Meanwhile she heard that Dr. Guo was introducing Falun Gong, so she went and bought the book Zhuan Falun and read it at home. Afterwards, as the woman did not show up for three months, Dr. Guo telephoned her out of his concern. She said that she had read the books three times. She used to rely on medicine to relieve her pain every day, but now she felt the pain only once a week and could endure the pain without taking medicine. After a period of time, she made a special visit and told Dr. Guo that the pain was getting lighter. After a scan, it was revealed that the tumor in her brain had regressed and no longer pressed the nerves.
Spreading the Fa in Donghe Township, the residents derived benefit; Inspiring a new life in the Taiyuan Prison
Since 2004, Dr. Guo and his wife have helped inmates in the Taiyuan Prison. They stayed in the prison every Friday night and left on Saturday night. During 24 hours, they were on duty in the prison as volunteers and cared for the inmates. They took Saturday morning to teach people who would like to practice Falun Gong. Mr. Lin, imprisoned for drug abuse and fighting, had applied for parole many times but always failed. After practicing Falun Gong, he truly changed his behavior and his parole was approved. Discharged from the prison, he not only set up a practice site near his home but also joined activities everywhere to spread the Fa and clarify the truth. He was often interviewed by radio stations that broadcast to inmates and he talked about the process of his rebirth after practicing Falun Gong. He hopes to use his experience to encourage more inmates to give up the bad and choose the good.
Across the Sea, People in Green Island are Glad to Learn Dafa
In Green Island Township, an off-shore island of Taitung, the residents, visitors, and inmates in Green Island Prison had the opportunities to hear the wonders of Falun Dafa. Currently, director Feng of the Gongguan Elementary School recalls that there were nine-day seminars in the Green Island Prison during the years of 2004 and 2005, and the prison's authorities regulated that only the inmates with good behavior could attend the classes, so not many people could attend. Among the participants, there were even inmates wearing shackles. Most of these inmates could double-cross their legs and they talked and behaved politely and gently during these nine days. At the time we talked, he knew that at least one inmate still studied steadily two or three chapters of Zhuan Falun every day. The prison's authorities indicated that they hoped that Falun Gong practitioners could hold nine day seminars over a long period of time.
 Dr. Ao shares his experience during a nine day seminar in the prison |
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Inmates in the Green Island Prison had opportunities to practice Falun Gong
Separated by the sea, the Green Island Township has not been left behind even though the transportation was restricted. Now all members of director Feng's family practice, and the practice site is in front of his home.
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