(Minghui.org) There are many stories of things that took place when we clarified the truth about Falun Dafa last year. One that I would like to share involves how an elderly and opinionated senior government official learned the facts about Falun Dafa and stepped forward to save sentient beings.
This official is the grandfather of one of my classmates. Perhaps because of his high social status, he was very opinionated, arrogant and thought he was better than others. I talked to him about Dafa time and time again. Finally, after reading Falun Dafa truth clarification materials, he recognized the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and became a practitioner.
One had to be his match to get his attention. And only after one reached his standard, would he be willing to listen and consider ones suggestions. Therefore, when we studied the Fa together, I watched my words and actions and made sure he could not find any fault in me.
Veteran practitioners should set a good example for new practitioners. I'm a young practitioner and I like to be comfortable, especially when I'm at home. I've never set a high standard for myself, and I study the Fa casually. It was very difficult, because I felt he was watching me all the time. I had to pay more attention to my posture, even when I was tired. I made sure to sit upright in the lotus position to show respect for Master.
When I slacked off, he would tell me, “I'm a new practitioner and I'm doing better than you. And you've been cultivating for more than ten years.” I would find excuses, saying that I'm young and can't sit still. One time he said to me, “You've studied the Fa for so many years, and you cannot sit still. How can you guide me then?”
That was a wake-up call! I shared this with other practitioners and they agreed that he was right. Master used this man to tell me where I was lacking in my cultivation. New practitioners pay attention to veteran practitioners' behaviors; so it is especially important that we show respect to Master and the Fa. Master said:
“In the past, students were called Confucian scholars, and before class began they were required to sit in meditation, adjust their breathing, and calm their minds before they read their books.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Founding Ceremony of the Singaporean Falun Dafa Association”)
Since then, I have paid more attention in this regard so that I can set a good example and play a guiding role.
It is easy for veteran students to understand certain Fa principles, but that is not the case for new practitioners. For example, it took a while for this older man to understand what a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple is and why we must clarify the truth to save sentient beings.
We suggested that he distribute Shen Yun Performing Arts DVDs, the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, Falun Dafa truth clarification materials, and encourage people to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Being a high level official, he replied, “Because of my position, people have always tried to please me. They bow to me, respect me, and send me gifts. I won't distribute these things to others.”
Moreover, he was still hopeful that the CCP would change for the better, so it was difficult for him to persuade others to quit the CCP and its affiliates.
First, he distributed Shen Yun DVD to promote traditional Chinese culture. We also suggested that he read the Nine Commentaries to help him understand the evil nature of the Party, the degree of the Party's corruption, the unprecedented persecution of practitioners and that the CCP will be eliminated.
At first he would only give Shen Yun DVDs to people he liked. He told me, “I feel really awkward giving people the DVD. I have to please them and it makes me feel inferior.” I replied, “Grandpa, you are not trying to please them or beg them to take the DVD. You are telling them the facts so that they won't be fooled by the CCP. You are saving them and that is something of great virtue! When they understand the truth, not only are they saved, the sentient beings in their worlds will also be saved. And they will be grateful to you! You are not inferior to them.”
I studied the Fa with him daily, and his kind, divine side became more dominant. I took him with me when I clarified the truth about Falun Dafa to people, so that my words would have an effect on him. When I encountered people who were more emotional, he helped me explain things to them.
He told me a few days later, “I persuaded one person to quit the Party. I'm very happy and feel that I have accomplished something.” Once he took the first step he was able to break through the barrier and joined fellow practitioners to clarify the truth and persuade more people to quit the CCP and its affiliates.
He gradually let go of the attachment to social status. He talks to people at the morning markets and parks, and even street vendors. This was a great breakthrough for someone who felt that he was above it all.
This man's usual contacts are people of the upper class. Therefore, his social status provided a great opportunity for him to speak to the upper crust of society. But, he found it difficult to clarify the truth to his subordinates, let alone give them Shen Yun DVDs. The best I could do was to study the Fa with him and send forth righteous thoughts to support him. He had to transform his human notions first, and this process took a little time.
Because he was only studying Zhuan Falun and pre-1999 lectures, he could not understand the deeper meaning of saving sentient beings. I decided to study post-1999 lectures with him and after a period of time, his thoughts began to change.
He was invited to a birthday party, and many guests were senior officials and their families. This was my first time to attend such event, and I was quite nervous. I felt calmer once I reminded myself of our purpose and practitioners sent forth righteous thoughts to support our effort. But it was quite difficult for the elderly man to clarify the truth in this type of situation.
I said to him, “Grandpa, don't think of them as your subordinates. Treat them as strangers you meet on the street and you'll feel more at ease. In reality, you know them well. Don't you think you should tell them the facts and save them? When Dafa is being persecuted, and you dare to tell them the facts as if they were your family, they will be grateful to you. Master is watching over you, so don't be afraid, He will help you!” I encouraged him a bit more, then I walked away to clarify the truth to others.
Things went well that day. We finished distributing all the Shen Yun DVDs, and he persuaded more people to quit the Party and its affiliates than I did. People respected him, so they listened to him. He was also more persuasive because he thoroughly analyzed and explained current affairs.
He said to me, “Young lady, this was a piece of cake! You need to work harder. Today I persuaded more people to quit the Party and its affiliates than you did.”
After that day, he often takes me to attend events and we clarify the truth together. We usually study the Fa before we leave, and arrive early to clear the area. We bring our pure and compassionate hearts to talk to people. He has gone back to his department and distributed Shen Yun DVDs and the Nine Commentaries to his subordinates. Now he often clarifies the truth by himself, and has walked his own path under Master's protection.
Thank you Master for your help! Thank you fellow practitioners for your encouragement! I will be more diligent on my cultivation path and save more sentient beings!