(Clearwisdom.net) During the Fa-rectification period, Falun Gong practitioners have launched many projects to spread the truth about Falun Gong to the world. Teacher has praised us for the good job we have done and the positive efforts we have made. However, the interference from the old forces in other dimensions and the many years of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) lies and propaganda have made many Chinese people ignore and have no interest in the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong. Some of them even approve of, or have participated in, the CCP's suppression of Falun Gong. Now, Master is producing Shen Yun personally and has turned it into the best performing arts show in the world so that more people will come to see it. Through the popular form of performing arts, Teacher enables people to learn the truth about Falun Gong and obtain an opportunity for salvation.
1. Study the Fa More and Understand the Progress of the Fa-Rectification
In His lectures in the past few years, Teacher has repeatedly talked about the significance of Shen Yun in terms of saving the world's people. It is my understanding that the Fa-rectification requires Shen Yun, and marketing Shen Yun gives us an additional opportunity to establish our mighty virtue, especially those who have not done a good job in clarifying the truth about Falun Gong.
Teacher said,
"Shen Yun Performing Arts’s performances, what its artists present, the workings of its program’s storylines, even a dancer’s single pose, the lyrics that Shen Yun sings, the music that Shen Yun produces—these are traditional, proper, and pure Chinese culture. When the cultural legacy of five thousand years that was laid down by the entire world’s populace is displayed before a person’s eyes, he quickly gets it—similar to how when someone is sizing up another person, and all it takes is a few words and a glance, and then you know whether he’s good or bad. After they perform for over two hours on stage, the audience realizes what kind of people they are. The pure goodness and pure beauty of the performance is not something the average modern person could achieve." "Aren’t people then clear on what kind of people Falun Gong practitioners are, as soon as they see that?" ("Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference")
2. Let Go of Our Personal Opinions to Cohesively Promote Shen Yun
Notions about Shen Yun were shattered when Teacher published "Be More Diligent" in 2010. It dawned on me that we must have more people see Shen Yun performances in China as well.
Teacher said,
"Saying that you will 'do things however Master does them' isn’t as simple as paying lip service. With other initiatives [not guided by Master], however you choose to go about things is your own business, even if you’re embroiled in arguments or dealing with differences of opinion. But when it comes to things that Master wants done, you really cannot debate about whether it’s feasible or not. There is only room to debate how best to carry it out. You really must be clear on this." ("Be More Diligent")
Before the article was published, not many practitioners in our area realized the significance of spreading Shen Yun's performances in China, although we had started producing and distributing Shen Yun DVDs. We did not pay due attention, and not many people produced or distributed them. There was also lack of coordination.
I studied the article and searched inward. I started following the article to work with fellow practitioners who were interested. I was pleasantly surprised at the result. It is really just like Teacher has said in another article.
Teacher said,
"Actually, though, as a Dafa disciple, if in such cases your thoughts are righteous, and what you are thinking about is cultivation, about being responsible, and about how it’s something that should be done well, then you should quietly take whatever it is that you feel is lacking and do it well. That is in fact how a Dafa disciple should handle it. If all Dafa disciples could manage to handle things in this manner, everything out there would go extremely well, for sure." ("Be More Diligent")
Since Shen Yun DVDs were made available in China in 2011, we have been increasing the DVD production and distribution. We have repeatedly discussed the way to go about things until we reached the following concensus. First, we will select high-quality DVD-ROMs. Second, we must study the Fa more if we participate in the production, because we should produce the DVDs with a sacred mentality. Third, we must try to hand out DVDs in person, because Teacher is the producer of Shen Yun, and Shen Yun has the power of the Fa. If we hand out a DVD in person, the recipient will be more likely to cherish it and less likely to throw it away.
We also raised the standard of our production. The paper wrapping and design has become increasingly refined. We do not compromise on the quality. Each wrapped DVD is protected by a plastic sleeve.
I distribute most of the Shen Yun performance DVDs in person. At first I would carry only about 30 DVDs with me, but I quickly ran out. As more practitioners joined DVD production, the volume increased as well. I would carry about 80 DVDs with me. At first, I was sidetracked by negative thoughts, but it was a good thing because I would eliminate them as they surfaced.
One day I had more than 70 Shen Yun DVDs with me on a bicycle. I was interfered with by notions: "How long would it take me to hand out so many DVDs? Would I run the risk of being arrested if I should hand them out at a public place with a lot of people?" But I quickly denied and eliminated those negative thoughts. I believe that the Fa is capable of everything. I repeatedly recited a passage of the Fa. Teacher said,
"[...] because the Dafa disciples are my disciples, and nobody else is worthy of handling them." ("Teaching the Fa at the Meeting with Asia-Pacific Students")
As I was reciting the Fa, I arrived at the northern part of a traditional market with a lot of customers. Yet I gave out Shen Yun DVDs to four people I saw chitchatting without hesitation. While they were admiring the beautifully designed DVDs, a group of people gathered around us. After all, who wouldn't be attracted to such beautiful DVDs? In less than five minutes, about 80 Shen Yun DVDs were gone. People took them with delight. I rode for about 10 feet on my bicycle before I turned around and saw people still admiring the DVDs! Teacher said,
"Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master." (Zhuan Falun)
That experience reinforced my confidence in distributing Shen Yun DVDs.
The process has allowed me to cultivate myself solidly. It has been several months since I started. I feel human notions decreasing and righteous thoughts increasing. Whether I have 80 or 200 DVDs, I will hand them out very quickly. Demand always exceeds supply. I always regret not having enough Shen Yun DVDs with me.
One day I had a large number of Shen Yun DVDs with me. I gave them out as I walked down the street. When they were half gone, I promised Teacher, "Teacher, I will return home and get more when I finish handing out all the DVDs." As I was preparing to make a left at a dead end, I saw a man looking at me. I realized it must be someone destined to receive a Shen Yun DVD. I approached him and gave him one. He did not ask any questions and accepted the DVD. Next I noticed many construction workers coming down the hill on my right. I immediately approached them. Dozens of Shen Yun DVDs were soon gone. It must have been an arrangement by Teacher. When I returned home to fetch more DVDs, I stood before Teacher's photo and thanked Teacher by bowing in Heshi. I thanked Teacher for his perfect arrangement and protection. That day I gave out more than 400 Shen Yun DVDs.
More than once someone has said to me, "Why don't you give me your bag? I will hand the rest out for you." In such cases I give them several more DVDs and ask them to cherish them. At times I have run into people who told me that they had already seen it. In such cases I will not give them another one, so we both treasure the DVDs. When a person tells me he needs one more for his family or a relative, I will give him one more. A person once told me, "I watch nothing else but Falun Gong's DVDs. I admire Falun Gong."
Of course, it is not always without obstacles, but obstacles will quickly disappear as long as my thoughts are righteous. One day while I was handing out Shen Yun DVDs in a village, a middle-aged man that had fallen prey to the CCP's hate propaganda against Falun Gong demanded to know if they were Falun Gong DVDs. I told him candidly, "The DVD does contain information about Falun Gong, but it contains the truth about Falun Gong. The information is different from what you have learned on TV or in the newspapers. I trust that you can tell truth from lies!" He paused for a second before he accepted one. In fact, he asked me to give one to another man working in a nearby paddy.
We are Falun Gong practitioners in the Fa-rectification period. We are capable of rectifying everything. When we truly and fundamentally change our conventional thinking, we will be able to carry out divine deeds.
Teacher said,
"We really do have some people who have done a great job, who have gone about things in a very natural and poised manner in upscale neighborhoods. And when they’ve spoken with people, they have been quite at ease. Instantly the other party has been delighted, just as if they’d been waiting for you. That really is the case. There has been a great deal of groundwork done in advance. All that’s missing is your carrying things out with righteous thoughts. Yet you haven’t had the righteous thoughts that it takes."
("Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference")
3. My Humble Insights
I have learned from my personal experiences that we must study the Fa in tranquility and memorize the Fa before we try to hand out Shen Yun DVDs. We should assimilate to the Fa while we produce and distribute Shen Yun DVDs. If we have the time, it might be a good idea to watch the DVD and even memorize the lyrics of all the songs. I think it will help us practitioners growing up in China purge ourselves of the CCP culture and understand the essence of Shen Yun. Sometimes, I find myself singing Shen Yun songs without even realizing it.
I would also suggest handing out a small number of DVDs at first and increase the volume only after your righteous thoughts grow. In other words, do not focus on quantity.
I have become all the more faithful in Teacher and the Fa. I am convinced that Teacher is right beside me and that the Fa is capable of everything. I have become all the more tranquil when I study the Fa. The Fa repeatedly unfolds before me. I feel Teacher's compassion and protection and the miracle of the Fa all the time.
Some fellow practitioners have not realized the significance of making Shen Yun performance DVDs available in China. Some have realized its significance, but don't have the courage to hand out DVDs in person. It really is not difficult as long as you study the Fa and let go of your notions. You really need not worry too much. Do it with dignity. It is not as though you are begging strangers for money. You will be offering them Teacher's salvation! Once you have righteous thoughts, every person you meet will accept the DVD.
4. Inspirations from People's Reactions to Shen Yun Performance
Teacher said,
"[...] the wonderful result brought about by the performance, on top of which there is assistance from divine beings, is not something ordinary people could achieve—much less emitting energy that’s permeated with Zhen Shan Ren. Such is the righteous energy contained in every piece that is danced, every word that is sung, and every note that is played; even the colors on the stage emit positive energy."
("Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference")
Here is a real example. A woman in our area thoroughly enjoys watching Shen Yun performances. She has repeatedly watched the DVD and realized that Falun Gong practitioners are saving people from the CCP's lies. She has asked for more DVDs so that she can give them to her guests. She said that those who have watched the DVD love it. She also passes DVDs to strangers on the streets.
She told me, "I may not be practicing Falun Gong, but I will hand out Shen Yun DVDs to accumulate my virtue." She feels she has been very lucky since she started. She has three friends who are also helping hand out Shen Yun DVDs. The four of them can hand out about 50 to 100 DVDs every week.
Look at the noble acts of these people who are not even practitioners. What about us? The problem might be that some of us are still inhibited by notions formed by the persecution. Let's study the Fa more to reinforce our righteous thoughts and eliminate fear.
Teacher has blessed us with Shen Yun. Let's cherish Shen Yun by actively promoting it. Let's save more people and do what Teacher expects from us. I truly wish we would have our revered Teacher worry about us less and make Him proud.