(Minghui.org) When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started persecuting Falun Gong in July 1999, the state-run media spread lies and propaganda to defame Falun Gong and its founder Mr. Li Hongzhi. Most Chinese people, especially the police, were thoroughly brainwashed to hate and distrust Falun Gong.
In that environment of terror, instead of hiding my faith, I tried to let as many people as possible know the truth about Falun Gong. I'd like to share a couple stories of police officers who awakened to the real situation after witnessing the stark contrast between the TV propaganda and the actual conduct of Falun Gong practitioners.
At a Copy & Print Store
Teacher Li wrote the article “Some Thoughts of Mine” (from Essentials for Further Advancement II ) at the end of July 1999, soon after the CCP initiated the persecution of Falun Gong.
In the article, he wrote:
“What on earth has happened to 'the leaders of my beloved land'? If with my, Li Hongzhi’s, life I can dispel their fears of these good people, I will immediately go back and let them do what they will.”
I was deeply touched by Teacher's great compassion and moved to tears while reading it.
I wanted more people to read the article and know the facts, so I went into a copy & print store to make some copies.
The girl in the store refused to let me make copies as soon as she saw Mr. Li Hongzhi's name. She looked scared and said, “We dare not make copies of Falun Gong materials! Police come to check once every few minutes. If we do that, the police would shut down my store, confiscate my property and take me to prison. It's so scary.” I comforted her, “Don't be afraid. I'll just make a few copies and you can keep one for yourself so that you understand the truth and won't be deceived by the CCP.”
As I started to make the copy, the girl's face turned pale and she rushed out of the store. I turned back and saw a policeman coming. The girl pointed at me and stuttered, “It's her, her, she is the one who asked me to make copies of Falun Gong materials!” The policeman angrily shouted at me, “Stop! Take it out!”
I smiled at him, “See how you've scared this girl? The police should protect people and punish criminals, right? You should think for yourself and not be deceived by lies. Do you know at all what Falun Gong is about?”
My calm reaction helped the young policeman calm down, but he asked me if I had watched the TV programs about Falun Gong. In those days, the state media reported and broadcast lies that defamed Falun Gong endlessly.
I explained to him that those programs were full of lies. “You haven't experienced the Cultural Revolution at your age, but I believe you must have heard about it from your parents. The CCP's history is that of vicious attacks and movements that terrorize and kill people. There is no justice or law under the CCP. Whenever they want to oppress people, they lie and fabricate evidence.” Then I talked about the CCP's ongoing propaganda, “Just look at the programs broadcast every day. It is launching another political campaign that persecutes the Chinese people.”
He and the girl listened to me attentively as I explained to them what Falun Gong practitioners were really like. “In society today, people compete for personal gain and attach great importance to money. However, Dafa practitioners follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and take personal gain lightly. We strive to consider others first.”
Then I told them two personal stories that demonstrated practitioners' good character. In both cases, another practitioner and I had received extra money by mistake when making a withdrawal from the bank. When we went to return the money and asked the bank officers to double check it, they responded rudely at first, as they assumed we were claiming a shortage. When they realized we were returning money, they were impressed and praised Falun Gong, as most people would simply pocket the extra cash.
After telling them the stories, I said to them, “Here I have a recent article published by Teacher Li. Let's read it together so that we won't be deceived by the CCP.”
The girl smiled at the policeman, waiting for his permission. He was still hesitant, “It would be horrible if anyone hears of my assisting you to make copies of the article.” I encouraged him, “Everyone has the right to know the facts. C'mon let's read it together.”
They read it with me. The policeman then seemed to understand the truth about Falun Gong and said, “You are a good person. I do not want to arrest you and cause you harm. Just leave quickly.”
From his eyes and facial expression, I could see his good intentions. He urged me to leave right away. As I departed, I saw him and the girl still reading the article.
State Security Bureau Head: “What she said is absolutely right!”
I was arrested while at a gathering with other Falun Gong practitioners in October 1999.
On the 28th day of my detention, the state security bureau head came to interrogate me again. He threatened me, “You better cooperate with us. Otherwise, we will sentence you to four years in prison.”
Over ten police officers and a TV crew surrounded me, attempting to coerce me to tell lies and defame Falun Gong. With video cameras pointed at me, I smiled and said calmly, “I've gained physical and mental health through practicing Falun Gong. By following the principles of the Buddha Fa: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I cultivate my heart and try to be a good person. I am a good, law-abiding citizen.”
They interrupted me, “No, no, that won't work! You are promoting Falun Gong! You should say this......” I turned the camera towards them and said, “Whatever you say... heaven and earth are watching...you should be responsible for your words.” They all got quiet all of a sudden.
Then a policewoman asked me to read her prepared statement, “You will be released if you read this statement.” I said solemnly, “I am a Falun Dafa practitioner and try to be a good person by following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. You are trying to force me to tell lies and behave like you and CCTV to deceive people! This is what the CCP and its police are doing! Don't you know that you are trampling the constitution and breaking the law?”
Several police officers lowered their heads in shame. One director from the TV station offered me benefits in exchange for cooperating with them to finish the assignment from the provincial government. It sounded so absurd to me. I said, “What benefits can you offer me? The position of CCP president? I am not interested. State treasurer? I do not want it. I only want to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Clearly, you have no idea what Falun Gong is all about.”
“The CCP's lies can only deceive people for so long. I feel sorry for the Chinese people. We want to tell the CCP government: Forcing people to give up Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and to tell lies amounts to forcing them to sell their souls. Those who sell their souls for personal gain are no longer human beings!”
I continued, “Nowadays in a world full of material desires, moral standards are deteriorating. Compassionate Teacher Li spread the Buddha Fa—Falun Dafa—to save people so that they could return to their origin by following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It's the basic criteria as a human being to have kind thoughts.”
They then asked me some questions that had confused them due to the CCP propaganda. I cleared up their misconceptions one by one.
Finally, the state security bureau head said to the other officials, “What she said is absolutely right.” They all kept silent.
He then called a local policeman to pick me up and take me home.
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