(Minghui.org) My younger sister and I used to burn incense and worship Buddha before we began practicing Falun Dafa. So when my sister's classmate told us about the practice, I had some doubts. He gave us many examples of how wonderful Falun Dafa is. I was deeply touched and wanted to learn more.
My sister's classmate came to our place again a few days later, and suggested that we watch Master Li's nine-day Guangzhou lecture series. We watched them over the next three days, and my outlook on life changed. I thought: “A human can truly become a god!” I had a firm belief that I will cultivate Falun Dafa, no matter what. That was at the end of 2010.
I felt my body being cleansed and kept having to use the bathroom a lot over the next five days. I couldn't sleep and wasn't sure what was happening. My sister's classmate kept encouraging me to believe in the Fa. When I was about to go teach my class on the fifth day, I didn't feel weak or dizzy at all. I would have previously gone to the hospital if I wasn't feeling well, but I knew that Master was cleansing my body. When I returned home, I felt great. The gastroenteritis I had suffered from for over ten years had disappeared!
I started reading Dafa books every day, and the more I read, the more I enjoyed reading them. My sister kindly reminded me that I should work on my English skills as we were about to apply for a visa to go overseas. But I didn’t pay it much attention and kept reading Master's Fa lectures.
I came to understand that Fa-rectification is taking place to save sentient beings. However, I was really worried, and thought that as I obtained the Fa so late, how could I save those who have predestined relationships with me?
Letting Go of Attachments
I run a school in a rented property. I received a phone call from the landlord one day, and was worried that he might want to increase the rent. Master told us to let go of personal interest, so I thought that if he wanted to raise the rent, I would agree. He did ask for a rental increase, and I accepted without any hesitation. He was very happy, and I was also pleased that I passed this test.
My sister's classmate introduced a relative of his to work in my school. This person turned out to be rather bossy, and she even ordered me around as if she were the boss and I were her employee. She also said bad things about me behind my back. I kept telling myself: “I must conduct myself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. I must learn to endure and pay back my karmic debts. I must improve my xinxing.” Master said. “The level of Gong is as high as the level of Xinxing.” (“Lecture in Sydney” in 1996). After a while, her attitude towards me changed, and we later became close friends.
A local official called me and said that he wanted me to take the position of secretary-general of an art association. I had been a board member of this association for some time. I thought: There would be a lot to do, and it would affect my ability to do the three things Master asks us to do, and it would also affect my job as a teacher. So I declined his offer, with the excuse that I was too busy and wouldn't be able to do a good job. He didn't accept my answer and said, “We've already decided. You will be the secretary-general. I'm only letting you know. We will notify you when we have the meeting to change personnel.” So I said to myself, if they insist then I shall do it.
The meeting was called a few months later, but to my surprise my name wasn't on the list for either the new chairman, secretary-general or board members. So now I wasn't even a board member. I then remembered Master's teaching:
“Sometimes, you think that something should be yours, and others also tell you that it is yours. Actually, it is not. You may believe that it is yours, but in the end it is not yours. Through this, it can be seen whether you can give it up. If you cannot let it go, it is an attachment. This method must be used to get rid of your attachment to self-interest.” (Lecture Seven Zhuan Falun)
I let go my attachment to comfort as well. I wouldn't buy anything unnecessary. When practitioners need financial support for a particular project, I would offer to help. I understand that practitioners' resources should be used where they are needed. I also apply the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in my teaching to help my students and their parents. Some have started practicing Falun Dafa as result.
Improving Myself While Clarifying the Facts
I was telling students about the persecution one time, when one student got really upset. His parents became concerned and called another parent to asked if I was a Falun Dafa practitioner. One other parent, who knew I was a practitioner, came to tell me about it. I immediately thought that there must be something I hadn't done well. So I thought that I must clarify the facts to them.
I called the two parents and invited them to come to see me so that I could explain what I talked to the students about. One of them was too scared to come. The other student's parent did come, and I told them all about Falun Dafa and the persecution. She became more supportive of Dafa as a result. I knew that Master was protecting and encouraging me.
When I was telling a taxi driver about Falun Dafa one time, he quit the CCP and also asked me for informational materials and a few DVDs of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and Shen Yun performances. He also said that he would ask his family members to quit the CCP.
Through Fa study, I understand that we must hold righteous thoughts when saving sentient beings and validating the Fa. Master has already paved the way and I'm only doing what I should do.
Letting Go of Human Attachments While Resisting the Persecution
The police called me in for questioning when my younger sister got arrested. I tried to use human thinking to reason with them, instead of using righteous thoughts to stop them from committing a crime.
The police took me in to an office and said that I could pay money to get my sister released. I knew that the situation should not be resolved with money. When I left the office a man was there wanting to take some clothes to his imprisoned loved one. Out of the blue he said: “An elderly couple's son argued with someone, which caused the other person's ear to bleed. The police told the old couple not to bother to hire a lawyer for something this trivial and that they could settle it with money. The old couple agreed. But in the end, their son was still sentenced to one year in prison.” Wasn't this a hint from Master? I mustn't give money to the police, and should hire a lawyer to defend my sister.
I know that freedom of belief is protected by China's constitution. I sent out a strong thought that I would be able to get the best and most righteous lawyers, not only for my sister but for all the other practitioners who had been illegally arrested with her. I would rather spend all my savings hiring lawyers for them than give anything to the police.
Perhaps Master saw my heart, and I was able to find good lawyers quite easily. It was as if they had been waiting for me. Through talking with the lawyers I understood that we are not breaking any laws by practicing Falun Dafa and it also helped me to let go of another improper thought, that one has to practice in secret because of the persecution. Due to this incorrect understanding, I used to feel scared and nervous whenever I went out to distribute truth-clarification materials, as if I was doing something wrong. I now understand that promoting Dafa and clarifying the facts is the most magnificent thing and I should feel honored to be able to do this.
The police office came to talk to me again. This time, I kept sending righteous thoughts and told him that it is not against the law to practice Falun Dafa. His face turned red. He later brought his superior to talk to me. Again I sent strong righteous thoughts and talked to them about the law and explained that good will be rewarded and evil will meet with retribution. In the end, his superior said that they would not do bad things anymore. I also made it clear that I would not cooperate with them. They never came to bother me again.
My sister and a few other practitioners were put on trial. The lawyers made a strong defense on their behalf. Some police learned the facts and I heard one of them say, “So practicing Falun Dafa is not against the law.” Even though my sister and the other practitioners were still sentenced, the terms they received were much lighter than anticipated. Thank you Master for your compassionate protection.
During this difficult period of time, Master also arranged for many fellow practitioners to help me and I was able to join the large group Fa study. I also looked inward and analyzed my behavior. I had gone to extremes and didn't want to do anything else except the three things that Master asks us to do. I now realize that I must walk my path righteously to fulfill my vows and be worthy of Master's compassionate salvation.
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