(Minghui.org) My family received a call from the local prison warden in March 2012, saying that my little sister was gravely ill. Her only “crime” was practicing Falun Gong and adhering to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
My husband and I grabbed our jackets and rushed right over. When we arrived, my sister appeared very weak, and was having a hard time walking. I immediately phoned the warden and asked him to release her on medical parole.
Although no other practitioners were able to assist me at that time, I felt confident that I would be able to rescue her on my own.
Master said,
“Of course, one of you is a match for ten or a hundred people. But after all, you're exposing the lies and the evil that were produced by all of a country's propaganda machines--it's still pretty hard.” (“Teaching and Explaining the Fa at the Metropolitan New York Fa Conference”)
Whenever I visited the prison warden, I imaged that thousands of Dafa practitioners were accompanying me in my rescue efforts. I also asked Master to strengthen my wisdom and righteous thoughts. Thus the meetings usually went very well. Many practitioners later got involved.
Master said,
“In these situations your conduct should always show Dafa disciples' tolerance, kindness, and niceness. The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference”)
Improving My Character By Cooperating with Others
My fellow practitioners' selfless hearts really gave me a boost of confidence. There were naturally obstacles along the way, including dealing with the differing opinions that we all had on how to best approach our rescue efforts. However, we all viewed these obstacles as opportunities to improve our character and elevate our levels.
The prison warden agreed to release my sister on medical parole, but only if we agreed to pay for her “medical-exam fee.” After discussing the issue, a few practitioners and I went to talk to the warden, face-to-face. Our purpose was to completely negate the old force’s arrangements.
We knew that it was wrong of him to ask us to pay this fee, as her health deteriorated only after she was detained and tortured. We demanded that the prison release my sister unconditionally.
After he agreed to pay the medical-exam fee, one of the practitioners said loudly, “You should not ask the prison to pay for your sister's medical exam. Your family should pay for it!”
I was thinking, “Why did she suddenly change our agreed upon plan?” I didn’t say a word to her, but I was fuming inside.
As soon as we walked out the main gate of the prison, she shouted, “How can you blame the prison for your sister's ill-health? She became ill on her own!” I was stunned! I didn't know that she was capable of holding such irrational views.
Master said,
“The interference will come from family, society, good friends, and even fellow cultivators. And along with this there is interference from changes in the state of human society and from human notions that were formed in society.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Western U.S. International Fa Conference”)
I suddenly realized that this was a good opportunity to improve my character and rid myself of my stubborn resentment.
Cultivating Compassion
During the process of rescuing my sister, I was also confronted with the issues of lust and desire, and how to best cooperate with male practitioners. Not only is lust and desire a critical test that practitioners all have to pass, but if we don't handle ourselves well in this regard, it could foil our rescue attempts and endanger the lives of countless beings.
I am always aware of my human thoughts, and do not allow myself to be careless even a little bit. I am constantly improving, and saving sentient beings with a pure heart.
I realize that to successfully rescue fellow practitioners, not only do we need to eliminate our attachments to fear, lust, sentimentality, and resentment, we also need to develop an indomitable will, and cultivate the utmost compassion and tolerance.
I often recall what Master said, “Compassion is the Divine’s eternal state” (“Why Do You Reject it?” from Hong Yin III). This sentence accompanied me throughout the rescue process.
I felt very sad every time I went to see my sister, as she had lost the desire to live. When I called the prison warden, he always coldly reminded me, “Falun Gong practitioners do not seek medical treatments, thus her ill health has nothing to do with us!”
I resented him at first, for being so insensitive and irrational, as the prison personnel were clearly responsible for my sister's deteriorated condition.
I later realized that this resentment was caused by my human sentiments towards my family. When I removed my sentimentality, I found that my resentment turned into compassion. “These lives are so pitiful!” I thought.
I realized that I had to strengthen my righteous thoughts in order to speak directly to their knowing sides in other dimensions. I needed to remind these beings that they once braved coming to this world because they had the utmost faith that Dafa had the power to save them, when Master spread the Fa.
I had to help them understand that they needed to use their job positions to help practitioners escape this den of evil and not permit the old forces' dark minions to take advantage of them.
They need to come to the correct conclusion that Falun Dafa is good and that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good, so as to ensure that they have bright futures.
I sent righteous thoughts to destroy the old force's meddling arrangements and the foul specter of the Chinese Communist Party.
I also held the thought that I'd go to the prison every day until my sister was released.
Master said,
“One thought born of righteous faith is all it takes. And whoever can hold firm that righteous thought and go the distance will become a magnificent god forged by Dafa.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Western U.S. International Fa Conference”)
After six months of continuous effort, the prison finally released my sister.
I thought of Master’s words,
“When disciples have ample righteous thoughtsMaster has the power to turn back the tide”(“The Master-Disciple Bond” from Hong Yin Vol. II)
During the entire rescue process, I believe my greatest achievement was removing my resentment and cultivating my compassion.
I used to feel that other practitioners did not have ample righteous thoughts, nor did they conduct themselves according to the Fa's principles. Of course, this had a direct bearing on how well we all cooperated. I now understand how to better deal with my fellow practitioners and bring out their righteous thoughts.
I would like to remind everyone that no matter how big our tribulations are or how difficult the task before us, as long as we immerse ourselves in the Fa and look within, Master will always ensure our success!
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