With these notes I am particularly addressing all Chinese people. I was born in Germany in 1957, more specifically in the former DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik), also known as East Germany. I grew up in a Socialist State. The goal of socialism, as it was constantly pointed out to us at school and later at our work place, was to make everyone into good persons with socialist consciences. Theoretically at least, everyone would work the same amount, earn the same wages, and be equally good. Anyone who thought differently was shunned and all forms of religion were portrayed as "opium for the masses" and were discouraged by the State.

The whole world knows by now what happened to these efforts. We former DDR citizens rarely heard anything about China during those socialist days. We were aware that Mao existed, but that was about all. Only now have I learned a little of the shocking Cultural Revolution which mirrors the persecution of Falun Gong in China today. At the same time, through readings, I also gained intensive knowledge of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in China. Rooted in China's thousands of years of history, these religions and cultivation methods promote goodness in people. By practicing qigong, I found my way to Falun Gong, a.k.a. Falun Dafa, in 1997.

I was enthused about Falun Gong from the very beginning and now no one could get me to give up this system. Falun Gong is a cultivation way suitable for all human beings in the world. Falun Gong is not specifically Chinese, as its content can be understood by all people in the world. Falun Dafa can move people's hearts and has done so to millions already. With the aid of Falun Gong, one can truly become a good person, and that again benefits the whole of society and everyone in the world. This world needs good and unselfish people who at all times think of others first.

I know from my own experience how difficult it is under a socialist system to have access to information from people who do not comply with the officially prevailing ideology. But sometimes it is possible. We who live abroad are trying everything with our available resources to tell people the truth so they will not believe the Chinese propaganda. My fervent hope is that the Chinese populace won't believe the misinformation about Falun Gong spread by the socialist government's elite. Please, do believe the Falun Gong practitioners. They are the personification of "Truth, Compassion and Forbearance." They are good people. Listen to your heart, your inner voice! No other nation besides China persecutes Falun Gong, as it is freely practiced in over 40 countries around the world.

A German Practitioner
Dated July 12, 2001

{Original text in German}