(Minghui.org) Excerpt: I'm a 90-year-old Dafa disciple. I have been seizing the time and utilizing all opportunities I have to save people. The deep snow in the freezing winter doesn't stop me. I wrap rope around my feet so I won't slip. People see me and ask me: “You're outdoors in such weather. Aren't you afraid of falling?” I respond with a smile: “I'm not afraid. I have my Master's protection!”
New Life
I had a tough life before cultivating Dafa. I lost my parents at a very young age. Later, as is not uncommon in certain parts of China, my aunt sold me to a man 20 years older than me. Very reluctantly, I married him. We have six children.
When I was 50 years old, my husband died. My youngest son hadn't yet married. I was quite ill due to the tough life I'd lived. Worse yet, I'd suffered a stroke and became paralyzed. My children had to take care of me – this was my last straw. I thought I really had had enough and just wanted to die. I complained and complained about how life had been unfair to me.
It was at this difficult time that I had the great fortune to come across Falun Dafa. It was 1997.
I started practicing Dafa and it was like a dream. I was so excited during my first days of cultivation. Words just can't describe my happiness. I was free of pain and suffering, just like an innocent child. My heart was filled with gratitude for Master. It may sound remarkable, but in the end, having the opportunity to practice Falun Dafa made all my past suffering somehow worthwhile.
Within two months, the paralysis left by my stroke disappeared. All traces of illness were gone. I was healthy again! I didn't need others to care for me anymore. I felt much younger. My family and neighbors saw the miraculous nature of Dafa as a result. They believed and respected Dafa. My children supported my practice of Dafa.
Master saved me and gave me a new life. I, in turn, devoted myself to Master and Dafa. I believed in Master's words unconditionally and followed his instructions wholeheartedly.
Fa study became first and foremost in my daily routine. I couldn't read, so my daughter-in-law, who is also a practitioner, got me Master's audio and video lectures. I watched and listened to the lectures every day. At the beginning, I couldn't understand them. As Master opened up my wisdom, I started understanding the lectures and became smarter. I loved listening to Master's lectures. Nothing could take away my Fa study time.
I organized a Fa-study group with several other practitioners in my village and neighboring villages so we could elevate together. My home was clean and quiet so the other all loved coming. Every night after dinner, they came to my home and took turns reading the Fa. I listened quietly and could understand everything. Master didn't leave me behind. I was able to catch up with the others.
My Fa study group has not stopped since it was first established. We continued studying the Fa even during the peak of the persecution. What Master has told us to do is the best and the most righteous. As I understand it, Master s the highest god, and Master has arranged everything. We should just follow his arrangements.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may look very evil and powerful, but it is a paper tiger. Master has told us that the CCP is there for the purpose of Dafa disciples' elevation. Once it serves its role, it will dissolve. Therefore, there's no need to fear it. It fears us.
Cultivating Xinxing
I enlightened to a lot of Fa principles when listening to Master's lectures. I knew that Dafa was not for healing and fitness. It is for cultivation, purifying oneself, and becoming a better person. Eventually, one will meet the standards of the divine and return to one's true self.
I knew that cultivation was about removing attachments. I rooted Dafa in my heart and adhered to the Fa whenever faced with conflicts or when looking within. Master helped purify my body.
Since I started cultivation I knew not to worry whenever I experienced a bit of physical discomfort. Master told us that cultivators don't have diseases. So I believed it. No matter what pain I had, I didn't treat it as an illness. I remembered: “When it’s difficult to endure, you can endure it.” (Chapter Nine of Zhuan Falun) I was able to endure the pain and recovered with no problems.
Master told us to be considerate of others, which I really took to heart. I try not to bother others. I try to reduce others' difficulties and inconvenience. I'm 90 years old, but I take care of all the chores at home. My life is simple. I don't seek special nutrition. I simply fill my stomach with three meals every day.
Taking a Fall
I took a fall last June. My son, who is not a practitioner, took me to the hospital. The doctor told me that there were cracks in my bones between the pelvis and knee and asked me to stay in the hospital. I thought: “I am a Dafa disciple. I have my Master's protection. There's no problem.” I asked to go home.
Initially, the doctor wouldn't let me go. Upon my insistence, he prescribed a lot of medication for me and agreed for me to go home. After I went home, I threw the medication away. My daughter-in-law took me to her home (my son had already died).
At her home, I watched Master's video lectures every day. My daughter-in-law also shared with me. She told me: “This interference – this persecution – is arranged by the evil old forces. We shouldn't acknowledge it. We will negate it with our righteous thoughts. We also need to look within to remove the omission so that the old forces don't have anything to latch on to continue persecuting you.”
My daughter-in-law made sense. This was the time to be saving people. I stumbled and couldn't even walk on my own. This affected my ability to save people. This couldn't be Master's arrangement. I refuse to accept this persecution.
First, I sent righteous thoughts to disintegrate the evil persecution. Then, I looked within and reflected on my recent behavior. I found that I looked down on a certain practitioner in my Fa study group. I disliked his lack of cultivation of speech and his gossiping. I unknowingly produced conflicts among practitioners. I didn't like him and wasn't kind when speaking to him.
When I found my problem, I was ashamed. I confessed my mistake to Master and made up my mind to openly share with that practitioner later. I would sustain the Fa study group well and contribute to group improvement.
At the beginning, my daughter-in-law supported me to walk to the bathroom. Several days later, I could do it on my own! I was anxious that I couldn't go out to save people. One day, I stood in front of Master's picture, I put my palms together and said: “Master, please help me. I have to recover soon to resume saving people! I also shouldn't take up anymore of my daughter-in-law's time, as she needs to save people.”
I stayed at my daughter-in-law's place for a month and recovered. My grandson picked me up and sent me back home.
My family members all said: “It is truly a miracle for such an old woman to recover from cracked leg bones! If she didn't practice Falun Dafa, who knows how long it would take for her to recover. Then we would have to take care of her in bed. Falun Dafa is so good!”
After this, my children supported my practice of Dafa more. I realized the importance of cultivating xinxing. I also realized that cultivation was very serious. It is not child's play.
Saving People
On July 20, 1999, the CCP launched its brutal persecution of Falun Gong. It broadcasted a lot of lies and duped the Chinese people to hate Dafa and Dafa disciples. Master told us that these people would lose their future if they couldn't understand the truth. Master compassionately asked us to clarify the facts in order to save them.
I didn't think that I was very old. Master asked me to save people, then that's what I should do. Because I am Master's disciple, I must follow Master. Master didn't care about our ages when he imparted the Fa and saved us. We also shouldn't mind our own ages, but just go out and save people.
Falun Dafa is a cultivation practice of both mind and body. Cultivators of Falun Dafa become younger and younger. Master has saved me and turned me into a healthy person. But this is not for me to enjoy my life, it's for me to save people. I have my responsibilities.
Since I understood the Fa principles, I have stepped forward and seized the time to clarify the truth to predestined people.
In the past several years, I told people the truth of Dafa, the beauty of Dafa and how Dafa teaches people to be better people and help them gain good health, Dafa has spread to many countries and Dafa practitioners have continuously exposed the CCP's persecution.
I was kind and honest. I was more healthy and energetic than people of my age. I was a piece of truth that could defy the lies. Sometimes I didn't have to say much, once people knew my age and saw my face, they believed what I told them. Very few didn't understand the truth I told them.
After the Epoch Times started encouraging people to quit the CCP and its affiliates, I followed closely by helping people quit the Party as I clarified the truth about Dafa and the persecution.
I started with my village. I went door to door to help people quit the CCP. I didn't leave one household behind. After I finished my own village, I helped my friends and family members to quit the CCP.
Then, I took truth-clarification materials, a pen and a notebook and went to the market to help more people. The market is held once every five days. I went to almost every market. Because my feet were bound when I was young, which was common for women at my age, I couldn't walk so easily. But it didn't affect me saving people.
At the market, when I saw people older than me, I would walk over slowly and greet them: “Hello! I'll tell you some good news. The CCP has killed so many people and done so many bad things. Now the heavens will punish it. Anyone who is part of the CCP or its affiliated organizations will be punished along with the CCP. If you quit the CCP, my Master will guarantee your safety. You will avoid disaster. Isn't this great news? It doesn't cost you any money. You will be safe and won't lose anything.”
Then I would clarify to them the truth of Dafa and told them to remember “Falun Dafa is good. Truth-Compassion-Tolerance is good.” Most people would quit. Very few didn't. When people agreed to quit, I asked them to write their names on my notebook.
For young people, I would wave to them with a smile: “Come over! Granny has good news.” Most would run to me. Some said: “You are so old. What kind of good news do you have?” If they wouldn't come over, I simply responded kindly: “I'm so old. You are as young as my grandson. I am not going to deceive you. It's all for your good.” They would usually change their mind and come to me. I then clarified the facts to them.
I could help quite a few people at each market. Many people at the market knew me. They liked me and respected me. They called me “Falun Gong granny.” I knew that this wasn't because of how great I was. It was because I practiced Dafa. How they treated me showed their respect to Dafa, and that's how it should be. Because without Dafa, they wouldn't be here today.
Master has told us many times: all people in this world have come for Dafa. Unfortunately they have been fooled by the CCP's lies. I cannot blame them. They need our help. The CCP is the one to blame in this persecution.
In addition to face-to-face truth-clarification, I also distributed materials and Shen Yun DVDs. In the past several years, my daughter-in-law made a big backpack for me to carry materials and DVDs, and hence, it's not obvious what i'm carrying inside.
Every time there is a big market in my village, I would prepare truth-clarification materials and take them to the market to save people. For those who understood the truth, I would offer them DVDs. If they didn't understand the truth, I wouldn't offer any DVDs.
I cherished the DVDs and often told the recipients to cherish them too. I told them that the DVDs were invaluable. People who didn't have the predestined relationship couldn't buy it with any money. However, those who were predestined could obtain the DVDs for free. I told them to pass on the DVDs to others after watching. Most people agreed to do so.
People love the Shen Yun DVDs. After finishing up at the market, I never had any leftover DVDs. I helped people quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations at every market. Sometimes I helped over 10 people. Sometimes scores of them. Sentient beings are waiting and expecting Dafa disciples to offer them salvation. I told myself not to slack off. I had to maintain a sense of urgency.
I lived near the center of our village. Every time someone passed by, I would call them and offer them a Shen Yun DVD. Everyone took the DVDs because they knew that I was a kind person and wouldn't harm them.
When people were thirsty and were looking for water, I asked them to come into my home, I'd offer them water, and clarify the truth.
I have been seizing the time and utilizing all opportunities I have to save people. Sometimes the weather is not nice. People see me and ask me: “You're outdoors in such weather. Are you not afraid of slipping and falling over?” I respond with a smile: “I'm not afraid. I have my Master's protection!”
There are a few gold mines near our village. The village officials have gained a lot from the gold mines. Every time during an election, they would visit each household to get votes. No matter who comes, I tell them seriously: “Only if you believe in Dafa and support and protect Dafa disciples will we vote for you, otherwise we won't vote for you.” I utilize the opportunity to tell them the truth.
As a result of our group efforts in the village, each term of village officials understands the truth. Even though the persecution has been brutal in China, the situation has been smooth and peaceful in our village. No practitioners were arrested. The village officials have helped. They secretly protect us and chose a good future for themselves. We are all happy for them and thankful to our Master.
One night, after practitioners left from the group Fa study, I forgot to close the door. Several village patrol officers sneaked into my home and eavesdropped on my conversation with another practitioner from another village. When this practitioner went home after 10 p.m., these six patrol officers stopped her and coerced her to give them her materials. She firmly refused and escaped.
The next day I heard of this. I didn't hate the patrol officers. I remember Master's words:
“ I told you a long time ago that a Dafa disciple, or a cultivator, has no enemies. The only thing you have a role in is saving people, and you have nothing to do with using human means and human principles to punish or pronounce judgment on people. This is a fundamental issue!” (Teaching the Fa in the City of Chicago)
I also remembered Master's words in “Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference:”
“Wherever there's a problem, that is where you need to clarify the truth and save people. Don't take a detour when you run into difficulties. When you see something that does us harm, or when you see something blocking our validating the Fa, don't take a detour -- you should face it, and clarify the truth and save those beings. This is the compassion (cibei) of a Dafa disciple, and it's our saving lives.”
I visited the head of the patrol unit and clarified the truth to him. Then I told him: “The person who you guys stopped last night was a relative of mine. She is a very good person. If you continue to harass her, then you will have to come to my home and take care of me.”
He immediately apologized. Later I heard from the practitioner that she met them again at the market. They apologized to her. Such occurrences are very few.
Rescuing Practitioners
Master told us that Dafa disciples are one body: “The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things.” ( Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference)
In addition to organizing group Fa study, I have also made a lot of effort to rescue practitioners. Whenever I heard of a practitioner being arrested, I would take it very seriously and send righteous thoughts to help.
Dafa disciples' truth-clarification is for saving people. It is the best and most righteous. They shouldn't be arrested by the authorities. How can they dare to persecute Dafa disciples? When I sent forth righteous thoughts, I demanded the immediate release of those practitioners.
Master looks after all disciples. The evil doesn't deserve to intervene! The evil is rather small from my perspective. I have never taken them seriously. I don't fear them. They are the ones who should be afraid because the evil is afraid of the righteous.
Several years ago, my daughter-in-law was arrested by the CCP. Because she lived in the city. When I learnt of this, she had already been sent to a brainwashing center, about 0.6 miles from my home.
I wasn't clear on some Fa principles at that time. I treated the persecution as a persecution between two groups of humans. I hated the police and people from the 610 office. I treated them as the evil. I cursed them and hoped they would meet with retribution. But I wasn't kind and didn't meet the standards of the Fa.
When I heard of the arrest of my innocent daughter-in-law, I immediately went to the brainwashing center. I shouted outside of the center and the door opened. People asked: “What are you doing here?”
I said very seriously: “My daughter-in-law has been sent here. She hasn't done anything bad or violated the law. Immediately release her! If you don't do so, you will meet with retribution and die in a very bad way!”
I didn't fear them and cursed them. They didn't say anything and didn't release my daughter-in-law. I persisted and went four times. The last time, I made up my mind: “I won't leave until she is released!” The brainwashing center very reluctantly let my daughter-in-law go.
Shortly afterwards, another young practitioner was arrested to the brainwashing center. I went back. They didn't open the door initially. I used my walking stick and knocked at the iron door.
When the door finally opened, I said: “You are evil and are doing bad things.” They asked me: “What is evil?” I said: “Those who do bad deeds are bad people. Dafa disciples are good people. You arrest Dafa disciples, then you are bad and evil. Release him immediately! Or else the heavens won't grant you peaceful deaths!”
I went five times. Eventually that practitioner was released. During the detention, this practitioner was quite righteous and didn't cooperate with the evil.
When I shared this experience with others, they had different opinions. Some thought I did well without any fear. Some thought I wasn't compassionate and I used evil to subdue evil. I didn't think there was anything wrong with my behavior.
Later, I studied the Fa and learned more Fa principles. I understood that the persecution was not a persecution between two human groups. It was arranged by the old forces. Master doesn't acknowledge this persecution. The bad people who persecute Dafa disciples in the human world are controlled by the evil in other dimensions.
The bad people are not doing bad deeds based on their own will. They face tragic endings. They are the victims. I shouldn't hate them. I should be sympathetic to them. I then changed my mindset. Master took away my unkind substance. I didn't have any bad thoughts towards the perpetrators. My compassion emerged. My efforts to save people became more effective.
These years, I have tried my best to follow Master's requirements. I don't have any regrets, but I'm not complacent. This is my responsibility and duty. The Fa-rectification isn't over yet. I will continue advancing diligently and do the three things well to repay Master's salvation.
Thank you, compassionate Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners.
