(Minghui.org) Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
I began to practice Falun Dafa in late 2019, and would like to share some of my recent experiences.
I was a homeroom teacher in an elementary school between 2022 and 2024. We often studied the Falun Dafa teachings together over the lunch break, including Hong Yin for the third grade and Zhuan Falun for the fourth grade. During those two years, two to six students would come every day. Half of my students participated from time to time. Occasionally, I thought of taking a break, but I was touched seeing the children sitting in a circle with their legs crossed studying the Dafa teachings, and seeing their pure hearts, so I would join them. After all, I was fortunate to be a teacher and help young practitioners this way.
Yi often came to the group study. He was an active student and sometimes ran into conflicts with others. One day, I saw him having a dispute with some classmates. Feeling unfairly treated and unable to calm down, he murmured to himself, “That’s all right. You have given me de (virtue) anyway.” He then walked away quietly to play ball. Seeing Yi becoming able to forbear because he understood de and karma, I was very happy for him.
Another example was three girls who often fought with each other. They criticized each other and said bad things behind each others’ backs. I said to them, “Master Li has told us, ‘For a cultivator, looking within is a magical tool.’ I have been wondering why I saw you fighting. I think there could be some areas that I need to improve.”
Seeing that they were confused, I said, “From now on, let’s not say bad things about others behind their backs. As your teacher, I won’t do that either. Okay?” To my surprise, all three frowns turned into big smiles. From this, I also learned to do better myself, especially in regard to cultivating my speech.
After these students moved on to higher grades, they often wrote me holidays cards that said things such as “I will follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance forever.” I then thanked Master Li for giving me this opportunity. Looking back, I used to consider teaching merely a profession. When students or parents gave me trouble, I would be upset and complain to the other teachers. I now understand my true purpose for being a teacher because this could be a prehistoric vow I made in the past. I cherish my interactions with students, parents, and other teachers, because they they can help me improve my xinxing and I can share Dafa with them. This is just like what Master said:
“So whether it is good things or bad things you run into, so long as you cultivate in Dafa, they are all positive, to be sure.” (Teachings at the 2005 Conference in San Francisco)
I often told other teachers about Shen Yun and saw that their reaction reflected the status of my cultivation. Every year, one teacher takes a turn to be the coordinator. It was Liu’s turn this year, but he didn’t want to do it. Without a coordinator, the teachers might shirk their responsibilities and the coursework could be affected. As a practitioner, I knew that I needed to be considerate of others, so I volunteered for the role. The teachers got along very well, and Liu noticed. When I had told him about Shen Yun in previous years, he often smiled and politely put me off. Several weeks before the show this time, Liu told me he needed positive energy, and asked me to purchase a ticket for him. He said he liked the performance so much that he subscribed to Shen Yun Creations. Looking back, I know the coordinator role was a test for me to take on responsibilities.
When the Shen Yun touring season started late last year, I was a bit fearful of recommending the show to my coworkers. I knew this was something I had to do, but I was a little hesitant since I normally did not interact much with the other teachers. I then remembered Master’s words:
“So as for the Dafa disciples in any region, you are basically the hope for the beings in that region to be saved—their only hope, in fact.” (Teachings at the 2004 International Conference in New York)
I decided to fulfill my prehistoric vow and tell others about Shen Yun. When I mentioned Shen Yun to Wang, he replied without raising his head, “I won’t go. I have my own faith.” I smiled and said, “No problem. I just wanted to tell you about it. Many pastors and bishops have gone to see it.” Right now he is still cold toward me, but I believe every interaction will bring him closer to Shen Yun.
A few days later, I asked teacher Zhao if he wanted to go see Shen Yun, and he said, “Of course!” When he was in elementary school, his teacher had told him that Shen Yun was great. I then went to see teacher Zheng, who also agreed without hesitation. He was happy because his uncle recommended Shen Yun to him every year, but he’d never had a chance to see it. When I visited a car maintenance shop several days later, a business manager came over to tell me about a new credit card. I took out a Shen Yun flyer afterward and told him about it. He was thrilled, saying he was always eager to see the show but always missed it. He purchased tickets for his whole family. I know these three people might have heard about Shen Yun in the past. Over time, their true selves were awakened so that they could see the show.
Because my car can only hold five people, I decided that my goal would be to get four coworkers to see Shen Yun with me. Then a fifth coworker was also interested, and I realized that my goal was too low, because more people needed to be saved. Since one of the them was a homeroom teacher for the fifth grade, I decided to visit other classes, one by one. After my heart capacity increased, even teachers who turned me down in the past now agreed. In the end, all six homeroom teachers for the fifth grade decided to come, and one of them volunteered to drive.
Thinking of the empty seats in some of the vehicles, I decided to invite the sixth grade teacher, Feng. Interestingly, he remembered that when he was editing a student diary, the student described his experience of watching Shen Yun, and how wonderful it was. Feng decided to buy two tickets so that he and his wife could both go. In fact, I taught that student last year, and it was great that his positive impression of Shen Yun motivated him to tell others about the show.
In the end, fifteen coworkers and their families went to see Shen Yun. I came to understand that it was my mission to tell people, “Shen Yun is here.” Whether they go or not is their choice. I am not attached to the outcome, but I need to live up to the title of a Dafa disciple and do things without pursuit.
When I organized students to see Shen Yun as a group the last time in 2021, some canceled due to the pandemic, and one parent who had depression caused interference. But both students and their parents were very impressed after seeing the show. Considering this encouragement from Master, I decided to continue doing that, since I cannot disappoint people who count on me.
When the Shen Yun season started last year, I once again invited students in my class, and their parents, to go. The feedback was very positive, and several parents was thankful for such a great activity.
Azhe, one of the naughtiest students in the class, made trouble a few times. I was upset and said he couldn’t go to Shen Yun if he continued to behave like that. At the end of class, Azhe told me in tears that he would not go to Shen Yun anyway, since his father worked hard to make a living and the Shen Yun ticket was expensive, and he wanted to save money for his father.
I was somewhat relieved at first, thinking that the trip would be easier without him. I then realized that this thought was improper since it was based on my selfishness. So I decided to let go of my attachments and apologize. After the next class was over, I asked Azhe to stay behind, and told him, “As your teacher, I often say that we should be good people following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. But I was not kind to you earlier, so I apologize. Can you forgive me? I still hope you will come to the Shen Yun show.” With tears in his eyes, Azhe nodded. Two days later, he brought in his money and said he would go.
The day we went to the theater, 31 students and parents were mezmerized by the Shen Yun performance. Azhe behaved like a young gentleman. Several staff members praised the children for their good manners. I knew it was because I sometimes shared Shen Yun Creations with them, and they had benefited. Before going on to the next grade, several students asked if they could go with me to Shen Yun next year. I smiled and nodded. Thank you, Master, for the encouragement. I will continue recommending Shen Yun in the future.
I once dreamed that during our weekly group study and discussion, Master, full of compassion, came and sat up front on the stage. When I woke up, I realized that we needed to pay attention to our group study and discussion even if not many practitioners can make it. This is because Master’s Fashen is always taking care of the group study environment.
I also learned that it is important for us to openly share our understandings. This benefits other practitioners as well as ourselves. This is not to validate ourselves; rather, Master is expecting us to be considerate of others without being selfish. I am glad to share my experiences here.
Thank you, Master. Thank you, fellow practitioners.