(Minghui.org) Greetings, esteemed Master and fellow practitioners!
I began practicing Falun Dafa in Taiwan in 2000. Ever since childhood, I wanted to know where people came from and where they would go after this life. I tried, but failed, to find the answers in religious books. After I read Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa, many of my questions were answered. The Fa teachings were so simple, yet the meanings were so profound. I was certain that this was what I have been searching for and decided to cultivate in and assimilate to Falun Dafa.
Shortly after I began cultivating, I learned that Falun Dafa was unlawfully banned by the communist regime in China and its followers were suffering a severe persecution. I understood that the facts about the persecution must be told to the Chinese people and it is every Falun Dafa practitioner's responsibility.
Since I work in a television station, I am familiar with computer imaging-related technology. I decided to go to China in 2001 to make and distribute DVDs that exposed the regime's slanderous propaganda and told the real story of Falun Dafa.
Making DVDs in Dafa's Birthplace
It was the first time I had been to the birthplace of Falun Dafa. I had mixed feelings, and my heart was heavy. There were 1.3 billion people that were deceived by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda, and countless practitioners have been and are still being persecuted for their faith.
Another practitioner and I rented a place and began to produce Dafa truth-clarification materials. We started to burn a large number of DVDs. From making the file, burning the disc to finalizing and distributing, we worked over 12 hours a day for a month and made 20,000 discs. I was not satisfied with the speed and wondered how to develop a better and more efficient way to reach the 1.3 billion people?
Hardships When Establishing NTD
When attending a Dafa Experience Sharing Conference I visited the New Tang Dynasty (NTD) television station. To participate in the day to day functions, one had to receive a lot of professional training, but it is a very powerful platform to bring awareness of the persecution to the world's people. My wish was to be part of NTD, given my knowledge and skills.
I experienced the difficulties and hardships during the first years of NTD from 2001 to 2008. In the beginning we were in a small place and used quilts to make the sound proof room. Later, we produced news and other kinds of programs, which again was not easy. Instant noodles sustained me for many years. Despite the hardships, I cherished those years very much, because we strove to bring awareness of the persecution to the world's people.
Continued study of the Fa teachings, helped me define the form of truth clarification and my path of cultivation. I finally understood that we had to bring not only the persecution facts to 1.3 billion Chinese, but also pave the road for understanding the truth to 7 billion people worldwide.
I learned about and mastered the most advanced audio and video technology, and researched traditional Chinese culture and history. Thus, I got involved in the Shen Yun Performing Arts behind the stage production work.
Dealing with Conflict
The first time I went on tour with Shen Yun was in 2017. Being part of the Shen Yun group, I paid more attention to traditional Chinese culture and history.
I discovered a rule that was important to those involved in ancient wars. When a general and his subordinates were in conflict, the disharmony among them could become the loophole for the attack by their enemy.
During the performance of Shen Yun a battle between good and evil rages in other dimensions. The evil factors would seize upon any cultivation loophole to interfere with us. This is a reflection of one's cultivation state.
I was of a different opinion than my immediate supervisor and brought it to the director's attention. As a result, I was told that the supervisor was in charge and would make the final call. I felt this to be unfair.
I realized that I could abide by the decision on the surface and keep all negative feelings inside, or I could face the conflict with the most positive attitude and carry on with what was assigned to me. I realized that Master, as well as all gods, were watching us, so I decided to let go of the issue.
It was easier said than done in the middle of the conflict and during a critical time, I tried to overcome my negative attitude by studying the Fa whenever I had a moment. I refused to waste my energy on things I could not change and give the old forces a chance to bring difficulties to us.
When I was truly able to let go, I discovered the result was more profound and powerful. Because I was able to let go, I did not waste any of my energy, and we were able to achieve better results!
Passing the Sentimentality Test
While I was away on tour, my mother had a severe sickness karma attack. She experienced shortness of breath and was miserable.
“This is the time to pay your respect,” said my sister, “and be responsible to our mother, otherwise how can you call yourself a cultivator?”
This incident happened during a critical time – the preparation for a performance. I needed to focus and prepare the technical support for every detail. After I finished the backstage preparation, the venue doors were opened for over two thousand audience members.
Among the audience, I saw an elderly lady dressed very well, and her anticipation, manner, and attitude showed how much she cherished the show. She resembled my mother.
That is when I realized why I devoted so much time and energy to the touring group, I did it for her, for my mother, and for many mothers. I wanted to help Master save as many mothers as possible. I calmed down.
After the performance that night, I thought that my mother and I should study the Fa on the phone daily. And we did. Her condition improved, and we study the Fa together as often as possible.
Amazing Small City Practitioners
We also performed in a small city where there were only a few practitioners. They worked so hard, so we could eat well, and I was deeply moved. Their sincerity was heartfelt, and their devotion could be seen in everything they did. Their righteous thoughts inspired and encouraged me, teaching me to never slack off. I was determined to do my very best in everything I do.
There were only a few practitioners, but thousands of people were in the audience to see the Shen Yun show. I felt so proud of them. The sentient beings in that area were so fortunate. We met these practitioners after the show. Despite their humble outward appearance, I fathomed their noble hearts, and could not help but admire them.
A coordinator stated that it was so difficult to promote the show in the past, but this time thanks to an improved celestial phenomena, things were much easier. Tears covered my face. I felt I did not try hard enough in the past, and caused so much difficulty for the front line practitioners.
Wrong Thought Rectified
We wanted to have as many people as possible see the Shen Yun show. Sometimes we traveled for days to reach a remote city for just one show. We had to set up, and take down the stage in one day-- a tremendous work load. I wondered if we could simplify some of the work and make it less tiring.
When I saw how hard local practitioners worked, I felt ashamed. They often had to begin preparations one year ahead of the performance. It might be the first and maybe the only show for them in their lifetime! How could I even think about cutting corners? How could I face these practitioners who devoted so much effort for this show, face the sentient beings who had such hopes and wishes, and face myself?
After I realized my wrong thought, I was more vigilant with my thoughts when facing only one show. As a member of the vanguard for the Shen Yun Performing Arts, I will cherish even more these one show situations, do my best for each and every show, because every audience is precious.
Stepping Stones to Elevate
In ancient times, when people worshiped Buddha and attended a religious ceremony, they would cleanse themselves, fast, and practice abstinence from various desires. Several thousand years later, I am practicing Falun Dafa and part of the Shen Yun preparation group. Thus, cleansing and abstinence must be foremost in my mind.
I got married in 2011 and failed to apply a cultivator's standard with regard to desire and I went through quite an ordeal. I came down with severe sickness karma. The shortness of breath was so severe I felt light-headed and thought that I was suffocating. It took three months of intensive Fa study to overcome my desires. I realized one thing, “Every breath I have is for cultivation, I need to cherish it.”
From now on, I will devote all my energy and effort to help Master rectify the Fa and to save sentient beings. I have to be clear of my duty and my mission. I walk on such a sacred ground. Thus, I know what I should do as a cultivator.
After years of cultivation, I understand that when conflict surfaces, even if is not my fault, if I am willing to give it deep thought and broaden my heart, I will see that it is related to my cultivation. All the agony and tests are the stepping stones for me to elevate. Thus, when facing future difficulties, I will try to handle everything with compassion and kindness.
(Presented at the 2017 New York Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference)
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