(Clearwisdom.net) I am an 18-year-old Dafa practitioner in China, and I started practicing in September 1997. At that time, although I was just an 8 year-old in the 2nd grade, I was diligent in studying the Fa and doing the exercises. In the evening, I studied the Fa at the practice site together with adult practitioners. On Sundays, we went out to do the exercises in public and introduced Dafa to more people. I also tried to discipline myself during daily life with the requirements of a practitioner. Since the persecution began on July 20, 1999, the cultivation environment has changed dramatically. Under the high pressure, I did more and more poorly in Fa-study, doing the exercises, as well as sending forth righteous thoughts. Especially after entering the last year of middle school, I neglected the three things using my busy schooling as an excuse. However, Teacher did not abandon me, but instead enlightened me again and again with hints and opportunities for me to improve.
When it was time to go to high school, I applied to a very good school in the provincial capital. During the entrance exam, however, I found that the teacher who monitored the classroom was one of my father's friends. The second exam was mathematics, before which he asked me if I needed "help" from him. Math had always been a headache for me and I could hardly reach scores of 80 percent. With some "help," I would definitely receive a higher score. At that time, my main consciousness was clear, and I understood it was a test. How can a practitioner cheat, especially during such an important occasion? I thus refused the "help" he offered, and finished the exam with a peaceful mind. My score was exceptionally good (98/100). As a result, with such an outstanding result, I was admitted to this high school, well known for its excellent performance record.
The best students from all over the province attended this high school. During my high school years, I experienced frustration, disappointment, and sadness. Especially in the last year of high school, my score was not very good no matter how hard I tried. Plus, my performance in various exams was inconsistent, sometimes high and sometimes low. Various teachers told me that these results were inadequate. I was full of anxiety. In the last semester, there were three province-wide mock exams. My scores plummeted. During the first two exams, my scores were about 540, and the last exam only 470. My math was very poor (47/150). There was less than 15 days before the college entrance exam. What could I do? I lost confidence, and asked for leave to prepare at home.
In such despair, I remembered Dafa. I regretted my laziness. Holding Zhuan Falun with both hands in front of my chest, I was moved. In front of Teacher's picture, I was in tears. I said, "Teacher, I was too lazy, and was mislead by my eyes." As I recalled, I was totally attached to elements in everyday society such as competition, showing off, zealotry, etc. I decided to be diligent in cultivation.
After reading Zhuan Falun, many of my concerns disappeared, so I went back to school. At that time, the entrance exam was one week away, but many things came up. I knew it was the old forces' arrangements interfering. One day, a student said that I had said bad things about her, and another day, a teacher said I violated school policy. I knew deep inside that this was the old forces' arrangement, and I did not acknowledge it. I wrote a note saying, "Validate the Fa," and placed it on my desk to remind me. I also kept studying the Fa every evening before going to bed. I knew that only Dafa could resolve this interference.
On the day before the exam, unlike other students, I did not spend much time reading my notes or textbooks. Instead, I calmed down and read one lecture of Zhuan Falun before going to bed. I did it this way every day during the three-day exam. During the exams, I was not nervous, but felt at ease as if the questions were prepared for me. I was able to answer most of the questions correctly. Occasionally, there were one or two difficult questions, and I was able to calm down to think, and figure out the answers. I knew that Teacher was helping me, and giving me wisdom. I only thought about validating the Fa and saving sentient beings, with no pursuit for fame or money. I did not want to validate myself.
After the scores were announced, mine was more than 630, more than 50 points above the major university acceptance level. My classmates and friends were surprised, and they expressed interest in knowing more about Dafa in the future.
June 29, 2007