Note from the contributor: These two letters from a teenager who attained Dafa in jail were written to his family outside the jail. From the letters, we can tell that opportunities to obtain Dafa are precious, and that the predestined people are cherishing Dafa. Meanwhile, we also get an indirect look at the dark and brutal forces.
First Letter
Elder brothers and sisters, Greetings!
I am writing to wish you Happy Spring Festival. May all go well with you and may you have a joyful time.
Brother, as I told you when I called on the second day of the Lunar New Year, even though you tried so hard to send me such a good book for me to understand Dafa better, I wasn't able to protect it. The team leader confiscated it. I feel very bad. I know that the vicious beings are in power. They are trying all means and using every expedient measure to damage Dafa. You were able to keep the book safe at home up to now. You must have treasured it very much. In the detention center, I kept hearing you said while visiting me: that you were afraid the bad people would take away. But I've lost it now. I feel so useless. You had so much hope for me when you gave me the book! But now, I really feel I have done a disservice to Master Li, to Dafa, and to you.
Brother, the team leaders kept talking to me after they took away the book. They said Dafa is not good, and that some people are using Dafa to oppose the government. They didn't want me to practice Falun Gong. But I do not believe them. I talked to them about Dafa. I told them that Dafa is the most righteous Fa in the universe, and that Master Li came to save us and let more people return to their true origins. I asked them what was wrong about being good and having compassion. They said I was too young and na ve, and that I shouldn't believe in it. I didn't know how I got the courage, but I told them, "You are persisting in a wrong course. You are unable to tell right from wrong. What is wrong about practicing Falun Gong? We are all open and aboveboard. Not like some of you people, who are sinister and ruthless, mean, and have no sense of shame. The authorities embezzle money and engage in corrupt practices, bully others on the strength of their powerful connections and positions, and play favorites. But you respect them as wise leaders. I really cannot understand." But they talk to me everyday. I am very annoyed. I told them flatly, "You want me to not believe in Dafa. This is impossible, no matter what excuse you have. Everybody views things differently. You cannot get my understanding of Dafa."
Brother, you said you didn't take a break or go out to have fun. I guess the situation outside must be tough. The team leader said something happened in Beijing again, and that Falun Gong protested again. They said the country had decided that Falun Gong is an anti-government organization. They asked me not to practice. I won't listen to them. They only follow the media, and don't believe in Dafa. What words of theirs can I believe? We only have female Falun Gong practitioners here, because the males have been transferred to another area. They seal them off to process them, but we still know some of their situations. On the Lunar New Year's Eve, all Falun Gong practitioners on the female team started a hunger strike. They handcuffed all of them from about 2am until 3pm on January 24. From 2am to 8am they handcuffed them to the trees outside. Then they were afraid that more people would know how they "educate and transform" Falun Gong practitioners, so they took them to the assembly hall and handcuffed them there. But the position was quite special, with both arms stretching horizontally, and the tips of their feet just above the ground. It was more a tying up than a handcuffing. I felt very bad upon seeing this. Although we had never met before, we are all here for Dafa. In fact, such things often happen. Scolding and beating Falun Gong practitioners is part of the guards' daily routine.
Brother, there aren't many good people here. Most are selfish; they cheat and lie to each other, and talk dirty. Using their bad habits as a means of showing off, they persist in their wrong course and refuse to correct themselves. Since I know Dafa, their bad behavior is disgusting. I won't be the same as them. I want to conduct myself as a Dafa practitioner.
Your younger brother (name omitted)
January 28, 2001
Second Letter
Elder bother and sister, Greetings!
Brother, I watched CCTV's "Focal Point" on the "self-immolation" incident on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. I am angry. I think those people must have been set up by the evildoers in order to attack Dafa. They are afraid that Dafa would wake up and affect more people, leaving them no place to set their feet. Therefore, they resort to every expediency and use the dirtiest tricks to try to change the facts. But everyone with a sense of justice knows that justice will defeat evil. People will not allow the malicious beings to manipulate them, nor will they bow to the evildoers.
Brother, the book you gave me was taken away and handed to the leader here. I asked them for the book, but they only gave me back the Three Hundred Tang Dynasty Poems. They didn't return Zhuan Falun. They said, "This is a law enforcement organization. It is a banned book. It is wrong for you to have brought it here. We absolutely cannot give it back to you." I really regret having been careless. They asked whether I practiced Falun Gong after they got the book. All the detainees here told me to say no, because my labor education term would be extended if I said yes. But I will not say I do not practice Falun Gong. I believe that Dafa is righteous. I cannot give in to the vicious people. Now that they know I practice Falun Gong, I don't have to study it secretly. I want to be a Dafa disciple openly and aboveboard. For Dafa, I will not hesitate, even if I am smashed to pieces. They cannot change my determination to be a Dafa disciple, no matter what they do.
Elder brother and sister, are you safe outside? The situation outside must be very harsh. I know it, even if you don't tell me. We have a lot more Falun Gong practitioners here lately. We used to have only about 20. Now we have more than 50. They are sending Falun Gong practitioners to detention centers and labor camps like crazy. Doesn't this show their hidden hypocrisy and fear? The future will be good as long as we hold on. Brother, I am really worried about you in this situation. I am afraid you will run into trouble. To be honest, this is not a good place at all. I really don't want to be here.
I am fine. Please don't worry about me. As a Dafa disciple, I will restrain myself and be a good practitioner. Brother, last time on the phone, you said you would come to see me. I think it's better you don't. You are busy outside. I will tell you if I have any difficulty. The team leader may not allow you to see me anyway, even if you come.
Hope you are safe and that all things are going smooth with you!
Your younger brother, (name omitted)
February 7, 2001