(Minghui.org) Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!

I started to practice Falun Dafa when I was in kindergarten, and I’m grateful compassionate Master has looked after and guided me ever since.

My father died when I was young, so my family struggled financially. Although our lives were difficult, I knew Master was helping me to eliminate karma, helping me to let go of my attachments to material possessions, and guiding me to improve my character as I cultivated myself.

Although my journey hasn’t been easy, I feel very fortunate because I’m a Falun Dafa practitioner.

My High School Years

I had a heavy course load in high school. When I returned home on breaks, I focused on reading the Fa teachings, including all of Master’s lectures. Sometimes I read until one or two o’clock in the morning, but I was sleepy. I hand copied Master’s poems in my spare time and clarified the truth about Falun Dafa to my classmates and teachers.

When the homeroom teacher asked who wasn’t a Youth League member, I immediately raised my hand. Another student I had clarified the facts about Dafa to also raised his hand. I was moved by his courage. I told him it counted if he quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Youth League in his mind. The teacher didn’t give us a hard time and returned the organization fee to us.

Clarifying the Truth in Class

Our teacher, who was not Chinese, encouraged us to speak English, but everyone was quiet. I felt this was a great opportunity, so I asked him in English if he’d heard about Falun Dafa. He shook his head.

My English vocabulary was limited, but I told him in simple sentences, “Falun Dafa is good. What the Chinese government said about it are lies. Falun Dafa practitioners are good people because they follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” He nodded but didn’t say anything.

During the class break, he called me over and asked me about Falun Dafa. I realized he’d protected me in front of the other students since he was concerned about my safety if they overheard what I said. But my English wasn’t very good at the time, so I couldn’t explain much, but I told him as much as I could and added that my English was poor, and he could find out more later. He agreed.

Taking the College Entrance Exam

Throughout my three years in high school and the pre-exam before college entrance, I was always the top student in the class. The homeroom teacher said I would be admitted to a top university. But during the math test, the student in front me kept looking back and asking me to give him the answers. I had difficulty saying no. The time was limited and he often interrupted me. I was afraid the teacher would catch me cheating. With so much stress, I couldn’t finish all the problems, and then the time was up.

I felt so frustrated that I wept when I told my family about this. They reminded me that I was a Dafa practitioner, and if I owed that student in a past lifetime, this was an opportunity to pay him back; otherwise, he would give me de (virtue). It turned out this was the worst score I’d ever made during my three years in high school, about 40 points lower than a previous exam. I would have to go to a regular university.

I was initially upset, but I later remembered Master’s teachings. As a practitioner, nothing is accidental and I needed to evaluate things based on Dafa’s principles. This could have been arranged. Master probably used this so I could repay my karmic debts. Since college entrance exams are so important, this could have been a major test in my cultivation, so I had to do well.

I no long resented that student. Looking back, I know I was too attached to grades and getting into a top university. Behind that were my attachments to fame and the pursuit of perfection.

At college, I was the top student in my major the first two semesters. Because of that, I was allowed to transfer to the best major in the university. That major was hard to get in and would have required a higher college entrance score that I would have had if the incident with that student hadn’t happened—so I didn’t lose anything in the end.

Fulfilling My Mission in College

There was lots of free time in college, but I didn’t spend it on entertainment. I stayed in a classroom myself studying my coursework, studying the Dafa teachings, or sending forth righteous thoughts. I was open-minded and kind, so other classmates often came to me for help or asked if they could copy the review materials I put together. I helped them and shared information without hesitation.

I was given an 8,000-yuan scholarship during my first year in college. I gave half of it to my family to help support two Dafa material production sites. One practitioner said it was too much, since my family was poor and I had to rely on financial aid for college. But I knew the other practitioners in the village were not wealthy either, so 4,000 yuan would really help. I was also glad my scholarship money could be used to make materials.

From getting scholarships every year I was in college to earning a decent salary when I went to work, I know all these are from Master and they are part of Dafa’s resources. So I spent very little on myself; otherwise I would feel guilty and it could also foster attachments.

A Unique Way to Clarify the Truth

Students usually studied quietly in the classroom, so there wasn’t much time to talk to them about Dafa. One day, I noticed there was only one other student in the classroom, so I asked if he had a few minutes to discuss something.

After we briefly chatted, I asked, “Have you heard about Falun Dafa?” He quickly collected his things and hurried out. It seemed he was terrified, but I knew it was the vicious elements behind him that were frightened.

I thought of a better way. I wrote short, truth-clarification phrases on desks (while avoiding surveillance cameras). I also sent forth righteous thoughts for them to stay so that people could be saved. I chose a different classroom and a different desk each time. I did this for over 1,000 days, so I can’t remember how many phrases I wrote. Sometimes, as I was about to write, I saw the phrases I’d written before were still there. I really hoped other students could learn facts about Dafa this way.

Destroying a Slanderous Banner

As I was returning to my dorm one day, I saw a very long banner with slanderous words about Dafa on it next to the gym. Since it faced a major road, many students would see it. This was the first time I’d ever seen something like that, and I knew I had to destroy it. I checked around and made a plan. I had no fear, because I knew Master was helping me.

I dressed in dark clothes that night. Seeing no one was around and walked closer to the banner. Some students passed by, but after a while, they left. I took out a knife, cut the banner, and put it on the ground. As I walked away, I felt relieved because I had done something that was my mission.

The following day I saw the banner had been taken away. The college didn’t put up any more banners.

Helping Students Quit the CCP

One semester break, a teacher from my middle school asked me to help her students with math. As I did, I told them stories about traditional culture and encouraged them to think for themselves, which paved the road for me to clarify the truth. They liked my tutoring.

I told them using the wisdom given to me by Dafa, “Things can exist even though we cannot see them. We are unable to see Buddhas and other divine beings, but they could be real. We need oxygen to live, but we cannot see it. If we made an oxygen molecule the same size as the earth, we could probably see beings on it.” “There could be Buddhas in front of me here,” one girl smiled, pointing right in front of her. I was surprised a teenager could understand this so well, and I was happy for her.

At the end of the tutoring session, I explained the facts of Falun Dafa thoroughly and explained why it was important to quit the CCP’s Youth League and Young Pioneers. “Please raise your hand if you do not want to quit the Youth League and Young Pioneers.” Only one girl raised her hand. When I asked her why, she could not explain. I said it was all right. The teacher who invited me to help was sitting in the back and she could clearly hear everything. But I was not worried. I could not miss this opportunity.

Everything Was Arranged

I just focused on my coursework before my junior year in college and didn’t worry about getting a job. Then there was a job fair, and I realized I would have to work in this major my entire life. My classmates were competitive, and many of them worked with professors so that they could join the CCP. It was said that becoming a CCP member could help one find a job. I refused to go through the back door to build relationships, nor would I join the Party. I just focused on improving my technical skills. When some small companies came to hire students, I had a few interviews but did not hear back from them.

Over time I realized technical skills are just a part of it and that employers also consider other aspects. As the second top student in my department, this was the first time I’d doubted my abilities. When I was unsure, a professor said there was one spot for me to join the CCP. I said no, I wouldn’t join the Party even I could not find a job.

During another job fair, I was hired by a large state-owned enterprise. The company hired only three students that year, me and two others who had average grades. I was surprised and wondered why the company didn’t hire top students. I later realized the other two might have had family connections.

I realized a student with a good major in a regular university has an easier time finding a job than someone from a regular major in a great university. If I hadn’t been interfered with by that student during the college entrance exam, I wouldn’t have attended this university. I would have picked a top university and studied for a regular major. It turned out Master arranged everything. He knew I was naive and didn’t know much about college or society. I just need to walk my cultivation path well as a Falun Dafa practitioner.

Looking back on my college years, I regret that I focused too much time on study. I should have put more effort into telling my classmates and professors about Dafa.

Complicated Work Environment

I was positive and willing to learn at my workplace. Everyone treated me well. After I was transferred from a branch to the regional headquarters for a temporary assignment, the relationships became complicated. As a deputy director at the branch, I was someone important at the regional headquarters. My manager asked me to go with him and update higher officials. Then he could not make it and asked another deputy director, Wang, to go with me. The higher officials were happy with my presentation.

One day deputy director Liu said, “When we had a meeting the other day, Wang told our manager you were trying to please higher officials and you criticized others.” Liu was an honest person and I trusted him. Employees with temporary assignments like me usually wanted to stay at the headquarters if possible. Wang had defamed me so that I probably would not be able to stay.

Then I remembered what Master said:

“For instance, you arrive at your workplace and find the atmosphere there not right. Later, someone tells you that so-and-so has made a big fuss about you and reported you to the boss, damaging your reputation very badly. Others all stare at you strangely. How could an average person tolerate that? How could anyone put up with that? “If he has made trouble for me, I’ll return the same. He has supporters, but so do I. Let’s fight.” If you do this among everyday people, they will say that you are a strong person. As a practitioner, however, that is completely awful. If you compete and fight like an ordinary person, you are an ordinary person. If you outdo him, you are even worse than that ordinary person.” (Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun)

When I read this in the past, I thought it had nothing to do with me—but now it had happened to me. I found it interesting, as if a student found a problem on an exam that he or she had prepared for. So I told Liu frankly, “Maybe Wang was jealous. That’s fine since the manager knows me well.” I still treated Wang like I always did. After winning an award for an independent achievement later, I even shared some of the prize money with him and he was surprised. As a practitioner, I know Wang may not have wanted to defame me—he did this to help me improve my cultivation. Just like Master said in Zhuan Falun, I would gain in many ways so I should not be upset.

When looking within, I saw that I had just focused on talking and giving an update on the results. I had the attachment of showing off. I was also eager for the higher officials to praise me. I was not considerate of Wang’s situation. So, when he did what he did, it pointed out my problems.

Not Attached to Being the Top Performer

I scored the highest on my first exam in elementary school. “You need to remain the top student,” my father said. When I did not do well, my father shouted at me and had me kneel down on a washboard. I didn’t complain, because I knew he wanted me to excel. After he died, no one reprimanded me but I held onto the idea that I had to be “the top student.” Falun Dafa gave me wisdom, and I was always a top student. I felt good since I didn’t lose face. I also thought this was a result of my hard work. In fact, I did not understand cultivation.

After I began working, I always strove to come out on top. One manger jokingly said, “We can’t let you participate in competitions anymore; otherwise, no one else has a chance.” I was modest on the surface, but I felt pleased. I didn’t know Master was helping me to eliminate this attachment.

My manager strongly recommended I participate in a youth forum in the company. I couldn’t say no and decided to talk about traditional Chinese culture. While I was preparing, many ideas came to me and I knew Master was helping me. I had the highest score during both the preliminary session and the final competition. In front of hundreds of people on site and with over 7,000 watching live video, other candidates all praised our company as I explained the importance of traditional values. I encouraged people to think independently and identify what was true themselves. The company leaders were moved, and many people who watched the video left notes asking for my presentation. I knew Master was helping me.

In the end, another participant with connections was awarded the first prize and I came in second. My manger and coworkers thought it was unfair. The company’s general manager called my manager and apologized, saying, “We all consider your employee (me) did the best. But somehow the review committee didn’t add up points correctly.” I felt unbalanced initially, thinking I deserved first place. Later on I remembered that I was a Falun Dafa practitioner. Since I had participated and achieved my goal, the actual award did not matter much and I should let go of the attachment.

Similar things happened later. My score was often the highest, but others had this or that that gave them additional points. I was always second place. At one competition, they announced that I had the highest score, but I was given a second prize award. I realized I needed to completely eliminate this attachment to “being the top performer.” When I participated in competitions later, I reminded myself in advance that I wouldn’t complain even if I came in second place. I needed to improve my xinxing while eliminating jealousy and the attachment to fame.

Several years have passed, and now I can remain calm when I am handed the second prize. Others might think it is unfair, but my mind is calm. Looking back, I know Master helped me remove the substance when I was determined to let go of the attachment. Master has helped me so much over the years, and I am very grateful.

Overcoming Tribulations Through Solid Cultivation

Many of my coworkers are well educated, and I often chatted with them about Dafa through the angle of a third-party. Most of them had not heard this information and were shocked. Except for some who just smiled, most agreed to quit the CCP organizations. As of now, more than half of my coworkers have heard the truth. These white collar professionals are usually busy with work. They may not have a chance to hear the facts about Dafa elsewhere, plus they trust their coworkers. So I decided to first tell my coworkers and later my managers.

Once when I distributed materials, the police arrested me and ransacked my home. I went on a hunger strike, refused to answer any questions, and kept sending forth righteous thoughts. I also told them about Dafa and helped two police officers quit the CCP organizations. They found my identity through facial recognition, contacted my workplace, and I was released on bail. Looking back, I realized my cultivation was too superficial. I should have spent more time doing the exercises and sending righteous thoughts. I had many attachments such as ego, resentment, jealousy, and others. I regret not cultivating well. I immediately rectified my thoughts and sent forth strong righteous thoughts for a long time. I begged Master to help so I could completely negate the old forces’ arrangements and walk the cultivation path well. Master saw I’d rectified myself and helped me resolve the trouble.

After that, the officials where I worked all knew I was a Dafa practitioner. Two major ones talked with me and asked me to stop practicing. I said I would not. “You are an excellent employee. We were all shocked to hear you practice Falun Dafa,” one of them said. They told me the company’s general manager said he did not expect me to be a Falun Dafa practitioner since I was so outstanding at work and thought so clearly.

“I’m excellent because I practice Falun Dafa,” I told them. “Dafa teaches us to be good students at school and good employees at work. I am who I am today because I follow Falun Dafa’s principles. Don’t you think Dafa is great?” I then explained more about Falun Dafa.

They were moved, and one of them said, “There are so many practitioners. Others can tell people the facts. Why do you have to do it?”

“Falun Dafa helped me so much and I’m so thankful. I cannot remain silent with so many lies around defaming Dafa,” I explained. “When things are clear one day in the future, you’ll be proud to have an employee like me.”

After that, these officials treated me even better. I know it was because they’d learned what Falun Dafa is and they sincerely respected Dafa and practitioners.

Summary

I now realize the importance of solid cultivation. Every day I plan my time well: I study Dafa’s teachings and do the exercises in the morning, I recite the teachings on the way to work, I send righteous thoughts during breaks at work, I constantly look within to improve myself, I find opportunities to tell others about Dafa, and I study the teachings again after work. I do my best to eliminate attachments and human notions so that I can assimilate to Dafa while helping save people.

These experiences are part of my cultivation journey. I’m so thankful for Master’s compassionate care. I will continue looking inward to identify my omissions to do better. I also sincerely hope we young practitioners do better. We are very fortunate to be Dafa disciples. We can help each other, fulfill our prehistoric vows, and return with Master.

Above are my understandings. Please point out anything inconsistent with Dafa’s teachings.

Thank you, Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners!