(Part I available at http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/6/3/133767.html)
(Minghui.org)
People are Poisoned by Atheist Ideology
Belief in the existence of Gods permeates human history. From myths and legends in both Western and Eastern civilizations, legends in every race talk about the creation of the world, and gods creating humans in their image. Many prophecies also talked about the end of the world and that gods will offer salvation to humans. Human moral values have been maintained at a certain level because they believed in the existence of gods. Thus, humanity has been allowed to continue to this point when Dafa is being spread, and humans now have the opportunity to return to their origin.
The chapter on “On How the Chinese Communist Party is an Evil Cult” in the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party specifically analyzed the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) six major cult-like characteristics. It specifically points out, “The Communist Party is essentially an evil cult that harms mankind.” Marx, the founder of communism worshiped Satan and secretly participated in Satanist “black gatherings.” In his Communist Manifesto, Marx called his communist doctrines a specter.
Those who believe in God will not follow a demon. Thus in order to destroy mankind, their actions and thinking must be changed, and atheism serves this purpose. It leads people to deny the existence of God and thus to believe in evil things. In Communist countries, media propaganda, education, and other means are used to enforce as well as indoctrinate people with atheism. At the same time violence is used to suppress religion and people's belief in God. Those who refused to follow atheism are persecuted.
Since the Chinese Communist Party was established in China, it has massacred and persecuted billions of Chinese citizens. In mainland China, the Communist Party promotes and exports Marxist atheist ideology as well as the theory of evolution through education, arts, and media. Chinese people are indoctrinated with atheism. People in China do not believe in gods. They no longer believe in karmic retribution and have consequently committed many bad deeds. The most shocking behavior is exhibited by those who have been inculcated with atheism, and most striking is their hatred towards God and belief. These people regard faith as ignorant and superstitious. Thus they are unmoved by the persecution of people who have belief. They think such people should be punished.
Nowadays in China, if one talks about the corruption within the CCP, no one will oppose you. Many will gladly agree and cite examples of corrupt officials. Many people also will not argue with you if you talk about karmic retribution. However if you mention Heaven eliminating the CCP, the reaction is quite different. Some become quiet while others may laugh in disbelief. There are others who refuse to accept it at all. Although these people may doubt, or be in complete disbelief, they all hope that the Party will soon collapse so that they can be free of its rule. If one talks about the existence of gods and Buddhas in the universe, most people will not say anything, but from their expressions one can tell that some of them don't believe what you say at all.
In the vast universe humans are insignificant. If one wants to unravel the truth of the universe, one must first be sincere and have a righteous mindset. This is the process of cultivating one's heart. Since ancient times, men knew about the righteous path, and that it is difficult to obtain the way. In ancient times, from the many cultivators of the Buddha and Tao schools in China to pious religious followers in other countries, there have been instances where people steadfastly held onto their faith in God and Buddha in the face of adversity. Today, many Falun Gong practitioners in China have firmly adhered to their faith in “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” while facing brutal torture and persecution. Their display of great compassion and forbearance has moved heaven and earth.
Holy Law-Wheel King Spreads the Righteous Way and Offers Salvation to the World
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts presented an exquisite dance, “The Udumbara's Bloom” in their 2009 show. On the backdrop, an Udumbara flower bloomed from a Buddha's palm while beautiful heavenly deities danced on the stage. Audience members world-wide were captivated and praised the performance.
The Udumbara flower was first discovered in Korea in 1997. Subsequently, it was seen in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Northern California, New York, Houston, Austin and other cities.
Udumbara flowers blossom only once every three thousand years. Therefore what does their blossoming today mean?
According to Buddhist scriptures, Udumbara is a Sanskrit word meaning “auspicious flower from heaven.” Volume 8 of the Buddhist scripture Huilin Phonetics and Interpretation says, “Udumbara is the product of ominous and supernatural phenomena; it is a celestial flower and does not exist in the mundane world. If a Tathagata or King of the Golden Wheel appears in the human world, these flowers will manifest due to their great virtue and blessings." So, based on Buddhist sutras, the blossoming of Udumbara flowers signals that the Holy King Who Turns the Wheel has come to the human world. In other words, Buddha Sakyamuni had long ago foretold people the heavenly secret that Udumbara flowers would bloom when the Holy King Who Turns the Wheel spreads His Law to save people.
The blossoming of Udumbara flowers which takes place only once every three thousand years is a sign of cosmic changes. Many prophecies in history also talked about this period of time. It was mentioned in The Book of Revelations in the Christian Bible that the “Lord of Lords” will rise from the East. The famous French prophetic text “Centuries” by Nostradamus, Mayan and North America's Hopi prophecies, as well as the South Asia tsunami at the end of 2004, unusual phenomena such as tears or blood falling from holy statues around the world which has happened frequently in recent years – all these warn people of great calamities approaching.
The last piece in Shen Yun Performing Art's 2012 show – Before Disaster, the Divine is Rescuing, depicts the battle between good and evil from ancient times continuing up to today, the final moment. In the advent of a great calamity, just when people lose all hope, the Lord of Lords descends, turns the law wheel and offers salvation. Those who have kind thoughts will survive the calamity. The heavenly gates open and gods return to their origin.
Mr. Luke Wilbur, president of DC Pages, attended Shen Yun's concluding performance this season at the Kennedy Center Opera House on April 1. He said, “The message transmitted by Shen Yun is universal. In the East, people believe in Sakyamuni and reincarnation. In the West, they believe in God and hope to return to heaven. But I believe that there is a Creator above these gods. Hence when I saw the lyrics in the songs - “the Holy King has descended to the human world,” I was extremely moved in my heart. My whole being was shaken! I believe that the Holy King is already in the human world. I can feel His presence and I believe in His powers!”
“After watching Shen Yun, I began to constantly rethink these questions. Is it that the time given to humans by the Creator is up, and the final moment has arrived right in front of our eyes? Is it that the entire cosmos is entering rebirth? I believe this is so and all of this is controlled by the Holy King. Everything in the cosmos will be reborn, and new ways of looking at things will appear. Everyone will be spiritually inspired and return to their ultimate position. At this moment where the cosmos is undergoing regeneration, we are all equals waiting for the Holy King to save us. The Holy King has given every one of us an opportunity to choose and it is up to us to choose – our choices will lead to different consequences.”
Buddhist nun Fayun has been studying Buddhist philosophy and the arts for over twenty years. She has a very good knowledge of Buddhist music, dance, and other aspects of art. Since Shen Yun Performing Arts came to perform in Western Canada in late April 2008, Fayun has followed the tour from Vancouver to Calgary and then to Edmonton, attending eleven consecutive performances.
Fayun said, "I have seen so many shows and I still have many questions, why is this piece arranged as the first piece? Why are the next pieces arranged in this order? This is not simply one's thoughts. There are deep connotations within.
"My understanding is that the first piece tells people the main purpose of the whole show. That is, a long time ago, gods and Buddhas followed the Lord of Lords down to earth to save people and be kings for a thousand years. The entire history and culture of this one thousand years unfolds during the Shen Yun performance. Within a short time of two hours, from Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties up till the 21st century today, Shen Yun shows have amalgamated the history, culture and arts of the different eras and present a complete display. Yet every piece is so beautiful and intricate. No one has ever done this before from ancient times till today, and it is also something no one else can do. I cannot help but be amazed and admire such great wisdom.
"According to Buddhist sutras, when the Udumbara flower blossoms, it is the time when the future Buddha, the Holy Law Wheel King, descends to earth to offer salvation. In fact, everyone knows about this and those who cultivate the Tao are all waiting for this moment. It is just that they don't know where and when this will happen and are waiting amidst the delusion. We were unaware that the Udumbara flower has blossomed in various places around the world and that the real Buddha has descended amongst us. I can only say that it is our karma that blocked this information and hence it is our misfortune.
"But Buddha's grace is infinite! Buddha is using different means to awaken the hearts of sentient beings. He is using Shen Yun, this sacred art form, to manifest the Buddha Fa. As long as you come, so long as you see Shen Yun, you will identify with some aspect of the performances and you will be saved.
"Shen Yun has made a mark on the international stage. Actually it is a lamp guiding one to a bright future. I have seen so many performances and I can feel the Shen Yun shows emanating the Buddha's strong compassion. I can feel His grandeur. I believe that in the future, Shen Yun will definitely be the main source of salvation for sentient beings. Therefore I hope that Shen Yun's Buddha light will shine on the five major continents and that those who follow this light will be saved.
"Through Shen Yun, I understood that the mighty Buddha is right next to me. It is truly Buddha's infinite grace! Magnificent Buddha! I have nothing but gratitude!”
World Falun Dafa Day 2012 is a special day in the history of the cosmos. Things mentioned in prophecies are happening and the vows of Gods are being fulfilled. Everyone who has been fortunate enough to experience this day have witnessed an extremely precious moment in the universe. Those who treasure this day are the ones who cherish their future.
(The end)