Following Teacher Closely, Steadfastly Cultivating Dafa

Greetings Master Li! Greetings fellow practitioners!

My name is xxx, from New Jersey. On behalf of practitioners from New Jersey, Id like to take this opportunity to share with you some of our experiences in promoting Falun Dafa and telling the truth about it to the world.I. Using the Media Effectively to Reveal the Truth to People

Master Li said in "Dissolving into the Fa" "A person is like a container: he is whatever he contains ". One of the consequences of the enormous and malicious propaganda campaign being waged by the Chinese government is that many kind-hearted people, including perhaps many who have a predestined relationship with Dafa, are being brain washed in that suffocating environment. They are victims of the destructiveness caused by this cruel and misguided crusade. In order to help more people learn the truth, and to take a stand during the course of the Fas rectification of human society, we have adopted some of the methods commonly used in Western society. We have been placing advertisements in newspapers to publish articles on subjects such as practitioners cultivation experiences, the despicable conduct of the Chinese government and its agents in trying to suppress Falun Dafa and abusing its practitioners, and supportive statements from prominent spokespersons for international societies. When the facts are presented, it is very easy to tell who is telling the truth and who isnt, and who is righteous and who isnt. After reading these articles, many readers have called to ask where to get the book Zhuan Falun and how to start the practice. One time, a prisoner asked his relative to call us and find out where to get Zhuan Falun after reading "Dafa Window" in the newspaper.

In the process of selecting articles, we went through a number of tests and tribulations during which many of our conventional attitudes were eradicated. For example, in the beginning, the articles chosen were basically limited to the areas of healing illnesses and improving health, elevating moral standards, proof of Dafa being real science, and the like. We presented the mighty compassionate power of Dafa. However, we hardly ever presented the brutal and inhumane persecution of the Dafa practitioners in China. We were concerned about the possibility that if people saw the ugly facts depicting the vicious methods of suppressing Falun Dafa, many people would be scared away and lose their chance to obtain the Fa. But clearly, benevolence is powerful and can touch peoples hearts. Kind and evil natures exist simultaneously within a person. Only by presenting the good and the evil at the same time, are people given an opportunity to make their own decision, to discern right from wrong. Later on, we improved ourselves, from the Fas point of view, by presenting specific instances of the horrific measures used for the subjugation of Falun Dafa and its practitioners by certain factions in the Chinese government, in order to open up peoples kind natures and awaken their senses of justice. Master Lis most recent articles opened up our minds and clearly pointed the way to present the truth of Falun Dafa to people.

World Journal , a nationwide newspaper for the Chinese community, is one of the publications where we publish true stories about Falun Dafa. Normally, advertising in a newspaper is the business of the publisher and the client. After the contract is signed, the publication of the ad in the newspaper is supposedly protected by law. However, after our ad appeared in only a few issues, people from the Chinese consulate successfully harassed the newspaper editors. Our "Dafa Window" was forced to move out of the "Shen Zhou Xiang Qing"(sentiments from the hometown) section. We understood the editors difficult situation and handled this problem as practitioners. After being moved out of "Shen Zhou Xiang Qing", "Dafa Window" has been like an angel flying into different sections of World Journal . So now, readers who might be interested in reading only one section of the newspaper, will all have an opportunity to read the truth articles. Even though our articles appeared on the page designated for ads, the Chinese consulate was still worried and requested the editors to put the word "Advertisement" at the top. People who do not know the inside story must be very confused by the word "advertisement". So be it. What we intended to do is to spread the truth to people, and thats what "advertisement" means. We thus experienced directly that "while the demon is one foot tall, the Tao is one yard high", a high-level manifestation of the harmoniousness of Dafa. The compassionate hearts of the practitioners have touched the editors. During their months of interaction, the attitudes of the editors toward Dafa and Dafa practitioners have changed dramatically. They have become supportive, open to hearing cultivation experiences of practitioners, and have asked concerned questions.

II. Distributing Materials That Tell the Truth of Falun Dafa in the Chinese Community

In order to help more people learn the truth about Falun Dafa, practitioners have been putting fliers, brochures, and newspapers in Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, and many other public places. They explain the truth to people. Their benevolent contents have won the support of most of the owners. This is a case of "the righteous wins great support". Many practitioners carry Dafa materials and truth clarifying materials in their cars. They use all possible opportunities to tell people the truth about Falun Dafa and thus to "assist Master Li in human society". They have made newspaper racks so people can easily see the Dafa materials placed in restaurants, supermarkets and other places. In less than two months, about 10,000 copies of the publications have been distributed. After reading these materials, some people started to read Zhuan Falun , and some even started to practice. One Chinese supermarket, for whatever reason, is not willing to have the Dafa materials put there. Since a lot of people go there to shop, one practitioner, whose workplace is close to the supermarket, went there during her lunch break and on the weekends to distribute the materials to everybody entering that store. Facing all kinds of people, she followed the principles of "Truthfulness, compassion, benevolence" to guard and uplift her xinxing. She found that when her mind was righteous, and her heart was genuinely set on goodness to others, her kind offer of the opportunity to "please read the truth about Falun Dafa" would be accepted. Most people were grateful when they received the newspaper. There were also people who, at first, were quite indifferent; but after walking a few steps away, they would come back to take the newspapers. Maybe their kind nature was taking the leadership role from another dimension. Whenever questions were asked, she would answer them in a kind, patient manner. She felt that people were changing during their conversations. Some said, "You are very courageous, I admire you!" One time, this practitioner happened to hand the newspapers to a reporter and explained to him why she was doing what she was doing. Later on, the reporter put this unexpected "interview" in his newspaper.

Another practitioner realized that everyone should do his or her best to reveal the truth to everyday people, no matter how much or how little effect it would seem ones efforts could have. The outcome would be immense if everyones efforts were put together. One should not be limited by conventional thinking. As one more copy of the truth materials is sent out, there is one more chance for someones kind nature to shine. There would then be one more physical contribution to the righteous energy field, because everything has a field. Previously, she did not distribute the material to everyone, but only to certain people, because she was afraid that some people would throw the material away before reading. Now she has realized that one should not let ones conventional attitude hold back other peoples chances of knowing Dafa. As long as he or she has the intention of knowing the truth, there is hope for his or her life. Dafa is fair and equal to each being. We should therefore have a righteous mind ourselves. We are not just distributing some everyday peoples commercial ad; we are giving every life a chance, hoping that they will not miss this precious opportunity.

III. Promoting Dafa and Clarifying the Truth to our Relatives, Friends and Colleagues

In a mere 7 years, over 100 million people obtained the Fa through word of mouth, heart to heart. Dafa attracted so many people because it is a righteous law and because people still have Buddha nature. A practitioner went back to China in June of this year to visit her family and friends. She met with roughly 40 to 50 friends and family members. Falun Gong was the topic of conversation all the time. Although her husband is not a practitioner, he knows very well the benefits that Falun Dafa has brought to his wife. He therefore joined his wife in telling their friends and families the truth about Falun Dafa. Due to the overwhelming deceptive propaganda being spread in China , peoples minds are confused. The practitioner and her husband patiently answered many questions to clear up this confusion. They found that, actually, everyone has their own views about the persecution and not many people would agree with the propaganda. Some do not like what certain factions in the government are doing, some condemn these acts, some feel that the president is scary. Once people know the truth, it is easy for them to tell right and wrong. Some of the friends and family members even started to read Dafa books. What this practitioner did may seem to be ordinary, but it reflected her firm determination to cultivate Dafa. Most importantly, some more people might have obtained the Dafa and been saved.

Some practitioners promote Dafa and clarify the truth on all kinds of occasions, including gatherings with friends. One practitioner went to a party, where some of her everyday friends wanted to play cards. The practitioner, however, suggested that they watch the videos, "Falun Dafa in Taiwan" and "The Truth of Falun Gong". Many people thereby gained a clear mind about what is going on in China. One friend of hers read Zhuan Falun , but had many doubts. He was planning to return it to her. After the video show, she told him "If you do not want to read Zhuan Falun anymore, you can give it to someone else." He said, "No, I will take it home and read again".

There was an old couple who were both retired professors from China and practitioners. After arriving in the United States, they actively promoted Dafa among their neighbors and put Dafa material in neighborhood mailboxes. Their efforts also received good results.

Some practitioners promote Dafa and clarify the truth to colleagues in their workplaces. Some put truth materials on the reception desk in the company. Many everyday people thereby gain a clearer understanding of Falun Dafa and the events surrounding it. They censure the barbarous acts in China. In the meantime, they admire Dafa practitioners high moral standards.

After learning the real story of Falun Gong, one old gentleman who was visiting said, "People wanting to return to their benevolent nature can not be suppressed! Violation of one persons law does not mean violation of the constitution. If one violate the constitution, one should be punished according to the constitutional law. No matter what, hitting and abusing people is not right!".

IV. Using All Possible Opportunities to Promote Dafa to Western Society

Master Li said "As to the Dafa that I am teaching today, it is taught not only to Eastern people, but also at the same time to Western people. Their good-natured people should also be saved. All nationalities that should enter the next, new historical era will obtain the Fa and improve as a whole. It is not just a matter of one nationality. Mankinds moral standard will also return to that of original human nature." (Essentials for Further Advancement , "A Brief Explanation of Compassion").

So far, people from more than 40 countries have obtained the Fa. However, there are still many kind-hearted people who do not truly know Dafa and, therefore, have not started practicing yet.

In order to promote Dafa, practitioners use a variety of ways. Some of these include giving seminars introducing Falun Dafa, offering free exercise instruction, and leading book discussion groups in senior citizen centers, community centers, bookstores, and libraries. Practitioners donate Dafa books to the libraries. Some people have obtained Dafa through these channels. We also put Falun Dafa leaflets in American food stores, health food stores, fast food restaurants, gymnasiums, cafeterias and other public places. Some people have started to practice after seeing flyers in these places. We also participate in many kinds of fairs held in the local area so we can promote Dafa and tell people the truth about Falun Gong in China. Every time, many practitioners from other, sometimes distant places, come to participate. On several occasions, the western media came up to interview us and gave objective reports. A lot of Americans come to learn the exercises. The second day after "World Falun Dafa Day", a crew from a TV station from the state of New Jersey came to our practice site in the park and did an interview. In the evening news, the TV anchor said "A banned traditional Chinese practice, called Falun Gong, is becoming more popular every day in New Jersey".

Trenton is the capital city of New Jersey. As far as we knew, there were no practitioners, nor were any Dafa activities held there. Therefore, practitioners in Princeton decided to promote Dafa in a park in Trenton one weekend. A gentleman, Mike, lives close to the park. He did not know why he got lost and wandered into the park, where he obtained Falun Dafa. Later that afternoon, a Chinese practitioner and an American practitioner, Dena, went back to the Park to teach the exercises. They found that Mike had brought 3 more people to learn the exercises. Now, Mike and his friends have started reading Zhuan Falun and doing the exercises every morning. Without a doubt, they have experienced the divine power of Dafa. The Buddha-light is illuminating this piece of land.

The calm and peaceful Falun Dafa exercise scene is always a contrast to the noisy surroundings at the street fairs. Therefore, it is very easy to attract peoples attention. We can easily and naturally communicate with and promote Dafa to people at these fairs. In June of this year, we had a booth at a street fair. It was very hot. We demonstrated the exercises over and over again. Over two hundred people took Dafa material. An American couple visited our booth and then went to the park to learn the exercises the following Tuesday. Since then, the wife has been joining our group practice and book reading 5 times a week. Since it is becoming cold and getting dark early, she is actively helping us to find a place for the winter. Her husband is very supportive and once told her "youve changed in a better way". She is always very happy to share with us her experiences of xinxing tests.

In early August of this year, we participated in a one week Middlsex county fair to promote Dafa. Over one thousand people therefore had a chance to hear about Dafa. Some people bought the books and exercise videotapes. On the 3^rd day, a Chinese acrobatic group who had been invited by the Community County Fair to perform on the stage appeared in front of our booth. We felt so close upon seeing each other. They did not realize that there were so many people who practiced Falun Dafa in the United States. We were talking like very close friends and practitioners told them the truth about Falun Dafa. These young acrobats looked so pure. Among them, there may have been some who had a predestined relationship with Dafa. Before leaving, a very young girl asked a practitioner, "Can I have a copy of Zhuan Falun ?" We were so happy for her. A life has thus found its true meaning. Thanks to the great compassion of Master Li.

American practitioners often bring in magazines and newspapers to show us opportunities to promote Dafa. One day, an American practitioner told us there was to be a street fair in a nearby city. Before we had time to know the details, she already reserved a booth. We were all touched. The Dafa belongs to all of humankind and all sentient beings in the universe.

The community centers are also good places to promote Dafa. It has been almost a year since practitioners in Edison started to promote Dafa at the Edison Community Center. A few American practitioners have been practicing there most of the time. A new practitioner, who had tried all different kinds of practices, told other practitioners that this is the best practice she has ever tried. One day, a girl from the Czech Republic joined us. She picked up a Dafa introductory flyer in a library that led her to the community center. During a month of practice and book reading, we read Falun Gong and part of Zhuan Falun . Later, when talking about her journeys from place to place, she said "I came here to obtain Falun Dafa". Soon after she started practicing Falun Dafa, she felt the Falun rotating in her lower abdomen. When she opened the book, she could see the Falun emblem rotating and changing colors. A month later, she went back to the Czech Republic with the Dafa books and the Falun Dafa website in Czech. We wished that she could stay longer with us to deepen her understanding of Dafa, but we also felt there might be people in her homeland waiting for her to bring Dafa to them.

Where there are Buddhas, there are demons. An employee in the community told us that one day a person came to the community center, told the staff member that Falun Gong was an evil cult, and requested them to kick us out. By then the staff members had been in contact with us for some time and knew very well that we are kind people. Therefore, that strange person was totally ignored. The chief of staff told us, "We would not listen to him. Who knows if he is from the Chinese government? If the Chinese government says its evil, its not necessarily evil. If we follow what they say, the Catholics and other religions would all be evil." The staff member also helped us to find better channels to tell people what has happened in China. Obviously, there is absolutely no loophole for evil beings to exploit in the presence of righteous people.

At the European Falun Dafa Conference, Master Li said, "There is a crucial factor for anything to exist, be able to stand up and be feasible in this world, that is, it must form a field in this dimension and this field is material existence ". We realized that in the course of revealing the truth to people we must have a righteous mind. We must understand Fa deeply in our heart. With the divine power of Dafa, we assist Master Li to rectify, and therefore to enhance the righteous field around us. We will take all possible opportunities and use many different ways to tell people about the despicable conduct of the miscreants in China and the truth about Falun Dafa. When the people who have been lied to and misled know the truth, the false rumors will automatically collapse, the evildoers will lose their place.

Finally, lets remember the paragraph from Master Lis recent article "Rationality": "The actions they are now adopting in the persecution of Dafa and its practitioners are extremely wicked and shameful, and they fear these will be exposed. Their evilness must be made known to people around the worldthis is also offering people salvation. While the evil is being eliminated, you are consummating yourself in cultivation and strengthening the Fas manifestation in the world."

Thank you.