(Minghui.org) The day after we moved into our new home in 2012, I cleaned up the yard and dumped the trash on an existing trash pile outside our fence.

Our elderly neighbor, Uncle Ma, saw me and asked me why I did it.

“Isn’t this the place everyone dumps their trash?” I asked. “This trash pile was here before we moved in yesterday. I didn’t dump next to your home, did I? ”

“I don’t care about what others do,” he responded. “I am telling you not to do it because you told me that you practice Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

I protested, “My belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance does not give you the right to bully me.”

Another neighbor overheard us and joined the argument, saying, “The family who sold you the house had cows, and that’s where they put the cow manure. Uncle Ma did not dare say a word about it then. I think he is bullying you because you are nice.”

Uncle Ma, however, was not ready to back off. He said that he would watch me and that if I dumped anything else there, he would throw it in my yard.

Before I could say another word, my husband grabbed my arm and said, “What kind of cultivator are you? You seem to be diligent most of the time, but the minute you are given a test, you fail. This man clearly told you that he holds you to a higher standard because you are a Falun Gong practitioner. I believe the warning came from Master using his mouth. Don’t you get it?”

Following Falun Gong Principles

My husband was right. That man gave me a hard time in front of our new neighbors. It was a test! We mention the words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance every day. I must, therefore, follow these principles at all times.

I got a plastic bucket and collected all the trash. Then I burned it in our furnace. Our house smelled terrible, but I was happy that I had righted a wrong.

Later that day I went to a convenience store. Several neighbors who witnessed the debate were also shopping. The shop owner said, “You are amazing. When I saw Uncle Ma giving you a hard time, I wondered how you would react. I was expecting a nasty fight, but you stopped arguing and cleaned up all the trash. You are a true Falun Gong practitioner.”

A few days later, Uncle Ma dumped some broken glass and cans into my yard. I was not angry and took the trash to the village dump. I then decided to go talk with Uncle Ma.

When I approached him, he turned around and ignored me.

“Please pardon me, Uncle Ma,” I said. “I am willing to change if you tell me where to improve. Like you said, I am a Falun Gong practitioner. I have to change my old habits.” He turned around and looked surprised.

I continued, “I took the broken glass that was dumped in my yard to the trash dump outside the north entrance. Although it was not my trash, I will improve from now on, trust me.” He nodded and looked a little embarrassed.

A local practitioner passed away later that year after being tortured by the police. His wife and daughter were arrested for filing a grievance with the government. Practitioners then began a petition drive to garner public support and demand their release. When I asked Uncle Ma to support the petition, he signed it without hesitation.

“Don’t be too anxious,” he said. “Falun Gong will succeed for sure. You are all good people. Evil never wins.”

I walked out of his home with a smile.

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Category: Improving Oneself