(Minghui.org) I started to practice Falun Dafa on September 9, 2010, and since then I have been clarifying the truth about Dafa to people at tourist sites in Taiwan. I would like to share some of those experiences as well as the story of my son's recovery from depression and isolation. I sincerely thank Teacher Li for helping him overcome his obstacles.
Tourists usually pass by very quickly, so I only have a brief moment to talk to them or hand them information.
I practiced some simple and concise scripts, which I had carefully prepared and revised. For example, I say, “Falun Gong is the Buddha Law and has spread to many countries around the world. Its practitioners follow Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Unfortunately, former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin was concerned that a large number of Party members were practicing Falun Gong. Out of jealousy, he illegally ordered that Dafa practitioners be detained and tortured. Those methods of torture include harvesting people's organs while they are still alive and selling them for a large profit! We are here as volunteers to raise awareness, to stop the persecution, to protect freedom of belief, and to make the world a better place. Your support is very much appreciated. You will be blessed for making a righteous decision to support Falun Gong.”
When talking to tourists from China, I add, “One of heaven's principles is to reward good and punish evil. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has committed horrific crimes and is destined to be eliminated. When the time comes, the Party, its affiliated organizations, and its members will be punished. You are good people, but you are at risk of guilt by association with the CCP. We are volunteers that can help you quit the CCP and its organizations. It is up to you to make a decision. You should be very clear that the CCP is evil and decide to dissociate from it. By quitting the CCP, you will be spared disaster. You can use a pseudonym to withdraw, so it won't impact your life or your employment opportunities. I hope that there will be freedom of belief and democracy on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We could all do with improved health and moral standards.”
Based on my experiences talking to tourists from China, I noticed that they were sometimes confused when they heard “the three withdrawals (meaning, withdrawing from the Party itself, the Youth League, and/or the Young Pioneers) can ensure your safety.” If we first explained that Falun Gong was a Buddha Fa, then they would better understand that Falun Gong is good, and it was easier for them to accept the facts.
Most mainland Chinese tourists are unclear about the difference between “China” and the “CCP.” They grew up in Communist China and distinguishing between the two is a new concept to them. When this is the case, we should delay saying, “Heaven will eliminate the CCP” until they understand that the CCP is not China. Otherwise, they may think that we are “anti-China,” which would be a misunderstanding.
As practitioners, we should stay focused on interacting with the tourists and avoid talking among ourselves or sharing experiences with each other. I usually clarify the truth at the tourist site for two hours a day. My routine is to send forth righteous thoughts when I arrive and then start talking to tourists right away. In general, I think practitioners should exchange experiences with each other after the activities are over.
It is critical to study the Fa teachings. For a period of time, I had some health problems that got me worried. After discussing it with another practitioner, I realized that I should improve my Fa study. I decided to change how I was thinking about and handling things. For example, after returning home, I began to memorize the teachings instead of taking a break. To my surprise, I did not feel tired or sleepy, and I was able to remember what I'd read. After paying close attention during Fa study, I was seldom bothered by symptoms of illness.
Currently, I read one lecture aloud and memorize two pages of Zhuan Falun every day. I also study Hong Yin, Essentials For Further Advancement, and Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. I to XI daily. After I increased the time I studied the teachings, I was able to memorize it faster. It is such a wonderful feeling! Thank you, Teacher, for this blessing. I must study the Fa more and study it well. I also came to a better understanding of the following passage:
“The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts.” (Drive Out Interference, Essentials For Further Advancement II)
My son started to suffer from severe depression two or three years ago. It was very serious and even the neighbors were concerned about him. At first, I discussed his situation with several other practitioners, and we thought that he must be repaying karmic debts. I did not know what to do, so I did nothing. My husband and I lived in fear every day. We could not eat or sleep well. I continued doing the three things daily, but my son did not improve.
One day I discussed this with a practitioner who always studied the teachings diligently. This practitioner thought that my son's situation was caused by interference from the old forces and suggested that I send forth righteous thoughts and read relevant articles on Minghui.org. That suggestion was new to me at that time, and I benefited a lot from it. In particular, I gained a deeper understanding of the old forces and finally realized that I needed to deny their arrangement.
I started to send forth strong righteous thoughts many times a day to completely eliminate the evil beings and the elements that interfered with my validating the Fa. I insisted on doing the three things and, specifically, memorizing the Fa, because I knew that only Dafa could protect my son from interference. It was also important for me to be aware that the main purpose of eliminating the interference was not to pursue happiness for my family but to enable me to go out to clarify the truth and help more people.
During this time, I tried to do everything in accordance with the Fa. I identified and removed several attachments, including the attachment to fear. From studying the teachings, I also resolved a few difficulties that kept me from having a solid foundation.
Finally, my son's depression improved. He did not want to get a job, however, despite the fact that he had earned a Master’s degree several years before and had ten awards for art to his credit. My husband and I were unhappy and did not know what to do with him. We had a hard time understanding why a smart and capable young man would stay home all day.
I thought to myself, “I am a Dafa practitioner, so I should be able to rectify incorrect situations.” I knew that my family's problems would improve if I cultivated well. I believed in Teacher and the Fa.
No matter what problems our son's condition created for us, I refused to be discouraged. I insisted on doing the three things every day and following the Fa strictly. I rarely missed attending the group exercises and activities to clarify the truth to tourists.
I recognized that when things did not go well, they presented opportunities to improve my xinxing and remove my attachments. As a result, I identified my attachments to jealousy, discrimination, fame and profit, sentimentality, and so on. I worked hard to remove them and became calm and peaceful. I thought of something Teacher said: “The Buddha-light illuminates everywhere and harmonizes everything.” (Lecture Three, Zhuan Falun)
Before the Chinese New Year, my son told me that he had found a good job and would start work after the New Year. My husband and I were very surprised. I believe that Teacher helped my son by eliminating all his mood issues. How else could he change so suddenly! I thought about what Teacher said: “It is a very easy thing to control an everyday person's mind.” (Lecture Three, Zhuan Falun)
At first, we doubted what our son said, especially my husband. I reminded him to remove his suspicion and to treat the matter with righteous thoughts. My husband agreed and thanked me for the reminder.
After the Chinese New Year, my son really did go to work. He changed from a passive and depressed person who refused to work into a positive, energetic, and sensible employee. In addition, his collection of poems and novels were published, and his dramas were performed in small theaters. They were well received and my son told us that he had gained some fame as a result.
Friends and family who saw the dramatic changes in our son were very happy for us. My husband was overjoyed and could not believe that this day had come! A fellow practitioner said that it was a miracle and encouragement from Teacher for my efforts to clarify the truth and save sentient beings. Thank you, Teacher, for making such a good arrangement for my son.