(Clearwisdom.net)
In late September of 2002, the Hong Kong government published a so-called Consultation Document on the enactment of Article 23 of the Basic Law, calling for a provision against subversion. The consultation period will last for three months and will end on December 24. One suggestion made by the Hong Kong government is that, Secretary of Security [Bureau] has the power to proscribe an organization in Hong Kong if that organization is one that has been proscribed in Mainland by the Central Authorities under their national laws on the ground of endangering national security. One can observe that this targets Falun Gong. The enactment of Article 23 is the most controversial incident since Hong Kong's return to China for five years. For local Dafa practitioners in Hong Kong, this seems to be the most vicious attack made by the evil over the past three years. I personally think that, only if we all truly understand the evil nature of Article 23 and form an indestructible whole body, can we completely reject this persecution and save more beings.
1. Article 23 Legislation Is the Evil's Insane Persecution Against the Fa
Hong Kong was China's window to see the world, and was also the Western countries' first stop for entering China. Jiang's government has been lawlessly and rampantly persecuting Falun Gong throughout Mainland China. However, it has not been able to interfere with the practitioners who have been practicing Falun Gong in Hong Kong, where the focus of international attention has been on and where the rule of "one country-- two systems" is implemented. Not only has Falun Gong been resolutely rooted in this piece of land that is owned by China, practitioners have also actively clarified the truth and validated Dafa to the local communities and tourists from Mainland China. This has had a special effect in the Fa-rectification period. Consequently, Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners have constantly been the focus of international media, and at the same time have become the thorn in the side of the evil.
The reason that the Hong Kong government can't wait to make a new legislation based on Article 23 is that they want to open an outlet through legal means to push Hong Kong and its people into the evil claws of a dictator. From a more profound perspective, this is the evil beings' insane counter-attack to persecute Dafa practitioners and to harm more innocent people during this very final stage of the Fa-rectification period. It is very vicious and violent. However, every Dafa disciple must clearly understand the current situation and remain unaffected by the superficial phenomena. At the same time, we should handle this situation solemnly and reject it steadfastly.
2. The Consultation Period Being a Good Time to Clarify the Truth and to Allow Sentient Beings to Position Themselves Well
On the other hand, if we utilize this evil manifestation to clarify the truth and save more sentient beings, we are then completely negating this arrangement.
The enactment of Article 23 has been opposed by different groups of society. Many conscious-minded people of the local and international societies immediately sensed that this enactment primarily targeted Falun Gong and a few other groups. Many commentary articles all expressed their concern about Falun Gong's future in Hong Kong. The Secretary of Security even called for everyone to not be "obsessed" with the issue of Falun Gong's future. Judging from this, how Dafa disciples can seize this incident and utilize different methods to timely provide more beings a great opportunity to correctly position themselves is a crucial key. Meanwhile, we should also consider grabbing this opportunity to expose the fact that Jiang's government has violated the law and groundlessly labeled Falun Gong, and other awful things alike.
3. During This Process, Awareness of Being One Whole Body Should Permeate Different Levels
A. To Hong Kong
This incident is another test for the whole body of Hong Kong practitioners following the sham trial. Hong Kong practitioners should seriously learn from previous experiences and lessons, and truly form an indestructible, diamond-like whole body that frightens all evil. We should unite our hearts to eliminate the present evil as one body.
How then do we progress in comprehending the Fa as soon as possible and form an indestructible, diamond-like Fa-rectification group of particles?
Firstly, I think group study and proper communication is very crucial. Because at present there are many things that need to be taken care of, and every practitioner is deeply involved wholeheartedly. Also, everyone must be mindful of their families and their work in everyday society. Therefore, there have been fewer practitioners attending group study. Some practitioners think that studying at home is the same, so it is not necessary to go through the routine of attending group study.
Group study, which is one of the few cultivation forms that Teacher has explicitly instructed us to use, has a profound content. Whether it is cultivation practice in a peaceful period or in the Fa-rectification period, group study offers practitioners an environment for exchanging righteous enlightenment and truth-clarification experience in a timely manner. With regard to enhancing our awareness that we are one integrated body and making progress in comprehending the Fa, there is just no substitute for group study. In the environment of group study, the pure energy field and the way we treat each other with sincerity can enable us to see even more clearly our un-removed ordinary people's attachments. We can thus remind each other and complement each other. Moreover, "all of the gong and Fa lie in the book" (from Seeking Discipleship with Teacher in Essentials for Further Advancement). When every one is able to study the Fa together with a pure heart, although on the surface we are simply reading it aloud together, in actuality our gong is being transformed in another dimension. This transformation process corresponds to each individual particle and the group as a whole. Even without exchanging words, the power of Fa is strong enough to elevate this one whole body.
I feel that the reason that a lot of things have happened has something to do with the state of our one whole body. Perhaps if our understanding as a whole of the Fa reaches a certain requirement and if we are able to communicate well with each other, there will be fewer things that we need to clarify, and our work efficiency will become better. We all work very hard. However, it would be a great pity if we thus lose this environment to improve ourselves as a whole.
Secondly, the state of "being of one mind" is very important. "Being of one mind" originates from being able to understand the Fa to the extent that we are supposed to understand, which manifests in treating fellow practitioners with tolerance and understanding. I personally think that "being of one mind" does not amount to not accommodating different opinions. Nor does "tolerance" amount to unconditionally being passive upon encountering deviated things. Instead, "tolerance" lies in our mentality when we express our opinions or listen to other people's opinions. Tolerance is manifested in the way we treat arguments and conflicts. Tolerance determines whether or not we forget that every practitioner is a precious and a great being that Teacher saves and treasures so much with utmost efforts, and whether or not walking our paths righteously is more important than pursuing for results. Even if a final decision is not based from your own suggestion, you are able put your ego aside and actively cooperate with others just the same. If one person, two persons and several persons can do this, the cultivation realm of certain individuals is manifested. If the majority of people can do this, the demeanor of the Lord Buddha's disciples is manifested, and the mighty power of this is beyond description.
B. To the Entire Globe
This situation does not only involve Hong Kong. The evil beings are anxious to take Hong Kong in order to persecute Dafa practitioners, to endanger several million Hong Kong residents who are not aware of the true situation, and to endanger many tourists from Mainland China who desperately need to learn the truth. Dafa disciples are one whole body and are responsible for positive elements in the cosmos. We should form a strong and righteous field in the entire world. We have power because we are Dafa particles that are part of forming one whole body. "The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things." (from Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference, 2002) This is the attitude that a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple should have. Even if there some small gaps that exist, if Dafa disciples can form one whole body that can allow themselves to complement each other and one that is as indestructible and solid as diamond, the evil in another dimension would not dare to come near us.
The above is my personal understanding which is very shallow. I'm hoping that I can inspire more people to offer more precious insights. Please kindly correct me if there is anything improper.