Lansing is the capitol city of Michigan and one of the largest cities in the state. The Falun Dafa practitioners at Michigan State University in Lansing have tried to introduce Falun Dafa to international students, yet no practice site was established.
Several months ago, the curator of the Lansing Library received Falun Dafa books donated by practitioners from Ohio State. Later, when the practitioners in Michigan called the curator and provided him with a Falun Dafa information package, he showed great interest in holding a Falun Dafa workshop in the library. The library not only promised to provide a meeting room, but also took the time and effort to make and distribute flyers and send an event notice to the local newspaper.
July 15 was a clear day. When three of us, including a 7-year-old practitioner, Xiaoniu, arrived at the Lansing library, more than 10 people were already waiting for us. After the curator gave a short introduction, we played the introductory video "Falun Gong - the Real Story. " We could tell that the five sets of exercises, the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and the fact that exercise classes were free anywhere in world had quite an impact on these newcomers, and they showed great interest in Falun Dafa. Following the video, we taught and practiced the five sets of exercises one by one. Xiaoniu was unusually calm and well behaved as he did the demo with us at the front. The workshop was held in a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.
During each of the two breaks, people came up and talked to us. Some of them had practiced Tai chi or Yoga before, and some even went to China to study or teach. In these conversations, they showed great interest in ancient oriental culture. I felt ashamed after the conversation, because many westerners' hearts were pure and simple, and their life experiences had laid the groundwork for them to obtain Falun Dafa. However, in my own experiences, I used to introduce Falun Dafa to other people with an excuse of "taking the natural course" when experiencing difficulties, or I was simply driven by the attachment to pursue results while introducing Falun Dafa to others. Oftentimes, I could not keep a mind of compassion and non-pursuit. Perhaps more people would have obtained Falun Dafa earlier if our practitioners could have given up the attachment of pursuing the result, and then we could have delivered the light of the Buddha law to more people.
After finishing teaching the exercises, we used slides to introduce the Falun Emblem, as well as the deep relationship between Xiu (cultivation) - Lian (practice), and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We also recommended that they read the Falun Dafa books. In the end, we played the video "Falun Gong: the Real Story". The practitioners' experiences and the suppression of practitioners by the Chinese government also motivated the newcomers to develop a deeper understanding of Falun Dafa. I think that by means of practitioners' great compassion and forbearance during the current tribulations, and the physical health and spiritual enlightenment in our daily life, we could tell people the truth, enable them to understand Falun Dafa, and help the predestined people obtain Falun Dafa. Thus, we can expect "the resurgence of great Buddha Law in the human world."
This 3-hour workshop was over very quickly. Attendees expressed great and sincere interest in continuing to practice Falun Gong, and signed up for the group practice. The curator was also enthusiastic, and willing to provide a group practice site. Last weekend, we had the first group practice in Lansing Library.
Falun Dafa Practitioner in Michigan
August 2, 2000