(Minghui.org) I have been in the construction business for over 20 years and a manager for 12 years in a privately-owned company. My boss knows that I practice Falun Dafa and that I follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
I was first put in charge of buying large equipment and supply materials for the company.
I was later given more responsibilities and put in charge of the financial authorization of the entire company. My boss trusted me and stopped participating in the day-to-day management of the company.
We needed to purchase two boilers in 2002. I negotiated with Mr. Zhao from a factory affiliated with the army and managed to lower the price of the boilers, saving the company 100,000 yuan.
Mr. Zhao suggested that we document the price of the sale as 510,000 yuan instead of the agreed upon price of 480,000 yuan. I would then get 30,000 yuan as a kickback if I agreed to his suggestion. He wanted to make it look as though his company was expanding their sales in our regional market.
I refused his offer and told him that I practiced Falun Dafa and did not accept kickbacks. After several failed attempts, he finally relented.
My boss and I then went to Mr. Zhao's factory to sign the official contract two weeks later. He pulled me aside and told me again that he would give me a kickback of 30,000 yuan. I declined his offer and suggested that he lower the contract price by 30,000 yuan to account for it.
While we were still talking, the factory owner came over to see what we were discussing. When he learned that I did not take kickbacks, he thought that it was because I held shares in my company. My boss told him that I did not have any shares.
He was confused and said, “I don't get it! To tell you the truth, we have had to pay kickbacks to our own employees for the past several years or our own army will not buy from us. But why don't you want it?”
I then explained the principles of Falun Dafa to him.
At that time, several of our local building developers were also trying to decide where to buy their boilers. Since they trusted me, some of them decided to buy the boilers from the same factory.
Another time, we had contracted to build exhibition halls for a large supermarket. I was in charge of purchasing windows and doors. As we were signing the contract, the factory manager offered me a kickback of 10,000 yuan.
I told him that I follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and declined the kickback. He told me that it was a common practice, and he would not disclose it to my boss.
I then suggested that he lower the price of the purchase by 10,000 yuan instead of giving it to me as kickback.
I have encountered many of these cases, and every time, I have refused the bribes. Instead, I used them as an opportunity to talk to them about Falun Dafa.
My boss once asked me, “I believe that you would still behave in the same way even if you didn't practice Falun Dafa. Is that true?”
I replied, “That's not the case. If it was not for practicing Dafa, I would not be able to remain unmoved in front of money or self-interest. It's not because I am great, but that Dafa is great. I have learned that if I take advantage of others and gain things that I shouldn't have, I will have to exchange my own virtue (De) for them. De is way more precious than this little bit of self-interest.”
My actions have positively influenced my boss. He now pays more attention to his actions and tries to stay away from doing the things that he did before. When we treat our clients to meals, he also helps me explain the facts about Dafa to them.
I am 71 years old now and doing well in my managerial role. For people who still do not know about Falun Dafa, I hope they will consider reading Zhuan Falun and find out what this cultivation practice is about. I also hope they do not miss this precious opportunity and choose a bright future for themselves.
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Category: Improving Oneself
