(Clearwisdom.net) I started practicing Falun Dafa in jail in 2000, where I was being detained for financial misconduct. I was distraught with the thought that my situation might entangle my husband and son. Luckily I read a handwritten copy of "Zhuan Falun." Out of curiosity I began with Lunyu, and then I continued to read from the first chapter to ninth (the last chapter).
What surprised me was that even before I learned about Falun Dafa I always thought that I would take up cultivation at some point, though I couldn't explain the details. After I read Zhuan Falun I knew that it was what I had been waiting for. With the help of Teacher I was finally on the path of cultivation.
At that time many Falun Dafa practitioners were being "illegally imprisoned." They taught me the exercises. We exchanged our understandings, and through cultivation I was gradually cleansed. I had an open mind towards my predicament and I thought I could let it be. There's a principle taught in Zhuan Falun,
"If something is yours, you will not lose it. If something is not yours, you will not have it even if you fight for it." ("Lecture Seven")
This deeply impressed me. I wasn't wasting time in the jail, because I'd become a practitioner. Later, as a host, I treated practitioners kindly and set up a place for them to study the Fa.
Practitioners' kindness made it auspicious. Even the criminals were affected. A criminal waiting for execution asked for Zhuan Falun to read. Falun Dafa really can guide people to cultivate themselves.
In five months I hand-copied Zhuan Falun twice. In view of my case, I was likely to be sent to forced labor. Therefore I recited "Lunyu" and Hong Yin and I decided that I would continue to cultivate when I left the prison. I thought it would be a good idea to find another practitioner to stay in contact with. An older practitioner arrived, and I explained my plan to her. She was glad to tell me her telephone number and encourage me.
I was so excited to have learned Falun Dafa while I was in prison.
I was sentenced to forced labor. While I was in the forced labor camp I was mocked, abused, and teased. Regarding myself as a practitioner, I tried to protect and improve my xinxing. No matter how tired I was I would recite "Lunyu" before I went to sleep. I also explained it to others around me.
The Communist Party posted pictures of the "Tiananmen Self-Immolation Incident." They quoted teacher's Fa out of context, which incurred people's enmity. Others told me that I would go to extremes if I continued to practice Falun Gong. I didn't know it was a trap because I hadn't studied Falun Dafa for that long yet, but I believed in Teacher, and I knew practitioners would never do that. I told them, "I have read Zhuan Falun, which is a book that teaches one how to be a good person. True practitioners aren't like that." And then all the inmates were required to write articles to elaborate on it.
I knew I couldn't write things against Teacher and Falun Dafa, so I wrote some articles about how I cultivated my xinxing in prison, which satisfied the police. As long as you believe in and respect Teacher and Falun Dafa the old forces can't affect you. Just as it says in Zhuan Falun,
"If you are a true practitioner, our Falun will safeguard you. I am rooted in the universe. If anyone can harm you, he or she would be able to harm me. Put simply, that person would be able to harm this universe." ("Lecture One")
With Teacher's help I was released from jail a year early, and I made a phone call to the older practitioner. She told me she hadn't been home for half a year, and she would have left in a half an hour. She said, "I am receiving your call right now because Teacher arranged it." She gave me Zhuan Falun, Essentials for Further Advancement, Hong Yin, and some other books, and she told me about the three things that practitioners should do.
I began to study Falun Dafa eagerly, and I sent forth righteous thoughts and clarified the truth. My understanding wasn't very good, but I believed in Teacher. I believed that I would gradually understand by studying Falun Dafa. Having suffered a lot, I thought that I'd grown callous, but when I read Teacher's words I couldn't help but shed tears many times. Teacher has born so much for us and provided opportunities for those who haven't done well. We should do our best to show our gratitude.
After six months out of the jail I got a job as an accountant in an architectural company. In the old days I was selfish and couldn't bear to suffer losses. I was always worried about little things, which made me unhealthy. After I began to practice I gave up all those bad things. Cultivation was involved in my work and daily life. I stopped caring about gain and loss. The boss was satisfied with my work. And then a new colleague showed up. She was young and beautiful. We had the same qualifications, but she was more capable than I. The boss appreciated her because she was good with figures. To be frank, I didn't like her, so when she wanted to learn from me I purposely didn't teach her. I worried about what would happen to my position if I taught her. We competed openly and secretly. I didn't deserve to be a practitioner; I wasn't even as good as a regular person.
I realized that it was time for me to give up my jealousy. I read the part about jealousy time and time again. We should reach the level where we become selfless. I decided to give it up.
In her presence I was very calm and kind. When things happened I could bear it, though complications arose. I gave up my jealousy step by step. Whenever I grew jealous I would send forth righteous thoughts and recite Hong Yin.
Now I don't get jealous of her anymore, and am merciful. I realized that she had come from another city and had very little money. She had to be strong to handle the strange environment. I was luckier than she because I had Falun Dafa. I began to teach her my skills and also explained Falun Gong to her, clarifying the truth. Although she was afraid, she knew Falun Gong was good.
Once when I inventoried the cash I found an additional 10,000 yuan. I didn't know why. I thought the boss might have made a mistake and not realized it yet. I had no thought to keep the money, and returned it. The boss was so pleased that she wanted to reward me. I told her I was a practitioner. Falun Gong had taught me not to be greedy. I showed her Zhuan Falun and let her know that Falun Dafa is good.
After practicing I am thoroughly changed. I was sent to prison because of financial misconduct. Now I care nothing for money. I want to correct all of my wrong thoughts with the help of Falun Dafa.
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