(Clearwisdom.net) To celebrate the 10th World Falun Dafa Day and our revered Teacher's 58th birthday, several veteran practitioners from the Changchun city district held a conference to share their memories of seventeen years of the glorious history of Falun Dafa since it was introduced to the public. They thnaked our great, benevolent Teacher for his protection and saving us. This was the first time that practitioners in this district held a conference since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began persecuting Falun Gong on July 20, 1999.
Below are some excerpts of the speeches that were delivered at the conference:
The First Speaker: I Will Never Forget the Moment When I Shook Hands with Teacher Fifteen Years Ago
In June 1994, Teacher held a meeting with all Falun Gong coordinators in Changchun in the conference room of the Chemistry Department of Jilin University, Changchun. Teacher delivered a four-hour speech, informing us about practitioners' historic mission of saving sentient beings, and of our significant responsibilities as coordinators.
When the meeting was over, we went outside to wait for a group picture with Teacher. I saw a coordinator from Triumph Park and asked whether he could shake hands with Teacher. Teacher answered frankly, "Sure." I also wanted to do so, but I didn't dare go forward. I asked the practitioner next to me, "Should we also shake hands with Teacher?" She said, "Sure, let's go." She went to Teacher and shook hands. I just stood there. Then Teacher walked a few steps towards me, then I rushed ahead and shook hands with Teacher. I felt that my heart was in the sky at that moment. Teacher's hand was very soft and warm. I was just a common practitioner, how fortunate I was to shake hands with an enlightened being. What a rare opportunity!
When Teacher was about to leave, I watched all the practitioners standing there sacredly, still, and reluctant to see Teacher leave. Later I was told that there was a rule that no practitioner should ask Teacher to shake hands. I didn't know it at that time, so I received special treatment.
Whenever I am diligent, Teacher will appear in my dreams and show me the most wonderful scenes to encourage me. When I have attachments, fear, or become lax, Teacher lets me see the dangerous situation of falling down. Looking back, Teacher's care and protection have steadied me on my cultivation path at every point along the way.
The Second Speaker:
I started practicing Falun Gong in 1993. I attended Teacher's Fifth Fa Lecture in Changchun at the Party's Provincial Committee auditorium. The lectures were during the evenings in the summer of 1993. On the first day, there were many people standing at the entrance. I went up the steps. When I turned around, I saw a tall man standing on my left; Master Li. I was filled with deep respect for Him.
Teacher wore a white short-sleeve shirt. He was in his forties but looked about twenty eight. On the third day of Teacher's lecture, my celestial eye was opened, and I saw Gong columns. Attending Teacher's Fa lectures were the happiest and most fortunate days of my life. My philosophy of life changed dramatically. On my way to the auditorium, I noticed that the sky was extremely blue, the trees are extremely green, and riding my bike was like flying. It was more joyful than celebrating holidays. Every day I was immersed in the enormous universe's Fa; no words can describe my happiness.
Later, many new practitioners joined Dafa cultivation. They all envy us, the veteran practitioners who had attended Teacher's Fa Lectures. Just as Teacher said,
"I would say, honestly... you will realize in the future that this period of time is extremely precious. Of course, we believe in predestined relationship. Everyone sits here all because of a predestined relationship." ("Genuinely Guiding People Toward High Levels", from Lecture One, Zhuan Falun, 2000 Translation).
This predestined relationship was formed a long, long time ago; it's a relationship with the Fa in the universe that stretches back through eternity.
I am now eighty three years old. I was the first coordinator of a practice site in Changchun established in 1993. On the cultivation and Fa-validation path, I have gone through many tribulations. With a firm belief in Teacher and Dafa, I have been able to walk through sixteen years of cultivation. I lost sight in my right eye twelve years ago. Once, when I faced a xinxing test, I recalled Teacher's words "a cultivator, has no enemies." ("Teaching the Fa in the City of Chicago"). Yes, when we study the Fa and cultivate together with other practitioners, it's unavoidable for us to have disagreements. But should I treat a practitioner who did not agree with me as my enemy? No, she was not my enemy. I should not resent her. Therefore, I enhanced my level on this issue. Three days later, I could see again. I could even see well enough to sew. Falun Dafa is miraculous!
Whenever encountering tribulations or challenges, I often think about those unforgettable, happy days when I was with Teacher. Then I encourage myself: "Do well the three things that Teacher asked us to do, so as to reach consummation and return home with Teacher!"
One of my nephews was a crane operator. In the late spring of 1998, he saw many people practicing Falun Gong, so he joined them in the morning and bought Zhuan Falun. One day in the summer, when he was leaving work with his colleague, he walked below the crane lift magnet. The magnet suddenly fell down on him. People around the crane were shocked, "He must be dead!" My nephew was smashed by the magnet, feeling that his life was over, but he was still conscious. Then he felt a hand push on his back once, and he was pushed out from under the magnet. People were amazed; he was beneath the heavy magnet, how did he come out in a sitting position? Then gradually his breath came back. Except for a bone fracture in his left foot, he was fine.
At that time, he was only doing exercises in the morning. For a person who had just started practicing, Teacher protected him when danger came. After this incident, my nephew formally started his cultivation of Dafa. Now he has retired, and still cultivates.
By June 4, 2009
