(Minghui.org) I am a veteran Dafa disciple, and I started to practice Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution.
At this point in my cultivation, I have come to a place where I simply believe in what Master says—I simply believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
No matter how the CCP attempts to frame and slander Falun Gong, and no matter how the CCP has persecuted me, they cannot weaken my belief in Dafa. The more they frame Dafa and deceive people, the more we should remain upstanding to show all Chinese what kind of people follow the guidance of Falun Dafa.
Putting Cultivation into Action
One summer, I got a good reference and was hired as a maintenance worker at a marketplace. On my first day, the manager assigned me to clean up the Fisheries Section. The manager showed me around the other sections in the hall as well, explaining the requirements and scope of my responsibilities.
There was a thick layer of fish scales at each fish vendor's foot, surrounded by muddy puddles. In front of the meat vendors, chopped bone residue and little scraps of meat were scattered. Hulls piled in front of fresh food booths and dried fruit counters were among the easier tasks. Next to some vendors' booths, melon skins were all over the place. Trash cans were filthy inside and out. One would not know where to start in cleaning up such a place.
After the walkthrough, the manager gave me the rundown. “The area of meat and fish booths need be rinsed every day,” he said. “The entire floor needs be kept clean regularly. And stay on good terms with vendors—don't have conflicts with them.”
He then looked at me and asked if I was up for the job. At that time I felt it was too disgusting, and I was not sure if I could handle the likely verbal abuse from the vendors. I did not look forward to taking the job but said I would give it a try.
Once I agreed to do it, I had to do it well. Thus, I accepted the job of cleaning up the filthiest sections in the entire marketplace.
I am of the type who dresses cleanly, neatly, and in fashion. The first day I showed up at work, vendors commented on my attire. “You are here for cleaning?” they said. “And with such fancy clothes, how are you going to do your job? Your appearance tells everything: People like you can't last around here.”
I knew in my heart that work was for me to sustain life, and it did not really matter what type of work it was. What mattered most was that I was going to tell people about the greatness of Falun Dafa, to help people learn about persecution of Falun Dafa, and help people with predestined relationship to renounce the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to help them receive blessings. That was what I came there for—not simply for a job.
The vendors and their booths were crammed up next to each other in the marketplace, and customers came and went from morning through evening. People with predestined relationships came to me to learn the truth about Dafa when I happened to have free time. As such, this environment was the perfect place to save people.
Of course, I would not blame the vendors who knew nothing about my intent. So, I smiled and said, “It won't be a problem for me.”
This job helped me put to action what Master taught us disciples:
To consummate yourself, reaping Buddhahood,Let joy be found in hardship.Physical pains count little as suffering,Indeed, cultivating mind is hardest.Each and every barrier must be broken through,And everywhere does evil lurk.Abundant troubles rain down together,All to see: Can you pull through?The world’s miseries endured,One departs the earth a Buddha.("Tempering the Will" from Hong Yin)
Pure on the Inside, Purify the Outside
I started from the filthiest fish booths. With a small shovel, steel wool, and liquid detergent, I scraped off fish scales and other debris. Then I rinsed the floor with water. I genuinely cleaned the entire area. Then I came to the meat booths and shoveled out the meat slime, and I poured on some detergent, scrubbed, and rinsed. It was clean through and through. Next, I came to the trash cans: I wore a mask and washed all the trash cans and lined them up neatly.
Afterward when I looked at myself, filth was all over my clothes, sleeves, and shoes. I cannot describe the mixture of foul smells on me. It was really filthy. Of course, the vendors saw it all. Their looks softened and turned more friendly in no time.
I also did things not specifically assigned by the manager, like cleaning the lids over the water drainage, the door curtain, and the carts for carrying and displaying meat.
The place had changed. Vendors stopped throwing debris casually. I also earned their respect, and the manager was quite satisfied. I could sense their relief.
I remember the first day I was on duty, the manager came to the sales hall four times for inspection. He saw that I was working diligently, and for several days in a row, he observed that I was always like that. Then he inspected rather infrequently.
The vendors also saw how I did not take any shortcuts in my work, and they started chatting with me. So I took the opportunity to tell them about Falun Dafa little by little. I remained straightforward when telling others that I was a Falun Dafa cultivator. The first thing I always tried to convey was the importance of following Master's teachings—that way I would do a good job at work in deserving the wage that I earned.
I emphasized how I would simply follow Master's words and do a good job, without pulling any tricks or cutting any corners. I would meet the requirements of everyone and the manager.
Through my actions, many of the vendors came to change their outlook on Falun Dafa, and even admired the practice from their hearts.
Endure Until They Are Embarrassed
The sales hall was so crowded that trash would pile up in just a short while. I had to patrol the floor to keep the place clean. On top of that, vendors often ate sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds, or pumpkin seeds to kill time. So, many of the seeds were randomly tossed about. Some small piles here and there were easy to clean, but others spit the shells wherever they walked around. It often seemed that the floor I just cleaned would need another cleaning as soon as I turned around.
Sometimes I felt that that some vendors did this deliberately. Sometimes other vendors felt sorry for me and would remind the careless ones to be more mindful. But some of the careless ones would keep spitting.“What are cleaners for?” they argued. “Isn't their job simply for cleaning?”
Amid these people and their words, I endured, held back, and did not get angry. After all, Master teaches us Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the great law of the universe. Master said in Zhuan Falun, "When it’s difficult to endure, you can endure it." I simply followed Master's words, and stayed calm.
Then I walked by them, I smiled and said, “It's all right. You may eat seeds to pass time. I don't mind cleaning as long as you feel happy.”
Hearing my words, some vendors were embarrassed. One said, “You are really nice. If it were someone else, she might have picked a fight with me.”
I told her, “This is what the Master of Falun Dafa teaches us to do. I would easily lose my temper if it were not for the practice.”
From that day on, the vendors stopped littering so mindlessly. They changed and did not give me any trouble.
That was very helpful, because if I had some free time from not having to clean up after silly things like that, my precious free time could be used more mindfully for saving people!
Bestowed from Heaven
After a period of time, the vendors got to know me more. The environment was kept in good shape, and after my morning session was over, I would go home and return to work on time for my afternoon session.
After my lunch at home, I had to clean up from their lunch leftovers, which included all kinds of junk that easily attracted flies, particularly in summer time. Although I never said anything, I always felt quite uneasy about the exposed lunch leftovers.
But Master has taught us that a cultivator should think of others first and be considerate of others. So I changed my working hours—instead of going home for lunch at noon, I would buy something for a quick lunch in the marketplace. I would clean up the place as soon as they finished eating, so that the vendors could spend the noon hours in a clean environment.
This approach indeed touched the vendors' hearts. “Look at her who practices Falun Dafa!” they said. “The Communist Party knows only to arrest and harm good people. Wouldn't it be good if everyone behaved like Falun Dafa practitioners? The Communist Party is really done for!”
Sometimes, the manager would come to the sales hall for inspection. When he talked about hygiene, the vendors would compliment him. “Manager, nowadays when the higher authorities come for hygiene inspection, you don't need to worry at all,” they told him. “You don't even have to tell us in advance or do any cleaning in a hurry. This saves you from any extra costs as well as the big rush.”
The manager replied, “I must have done something good in my previous life and accumulated great virtue. It must be that Heaven bestowed on me an employee who practices Falun Dafa. So now I am worry free.”
Everyone agreed and laughed.
“When I Shout 'Falun Dafa Is Good,' It's You Who I Am Calling”
One day the manager told me to work overtime with a few male workers to clean up the water drainage. We were going to start at 7:30 p.m, and the manager sent the male workers to fetch some tools. Only he and I were left in his office. I knew this was a rare opportunity.
“Let me tell you about a major event, sir,” I said to him. “Have you ever heard of withdrawing from the CCP for ensuring one's safety?” He said that he had heard about it, but that he had not withdrawn. “Of course not,” he said. “If I made a withdrawal, how could I still be a manager?”
I explained to him that to quit the CCP, Youth League, and Young Pioneers is to say farewell to these organizations from within one's heart. It is to renounce the pledge one made when joining them to give their life for its bidding. By renouncing the poisonous oath, one will no longer be controlled by the CCP, and then when the CCP is punished by Heaven, they will not be part of it.
He was listening attentively, so I continued. “I also hope that you and your family can recite 'Falun Dafa is Good; Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is Good.' I hope for a great future for you and your family.”
I maintained my calm while I looked at him. “I'd like to withdraw!” he replied. “But how?”
I told him that he could use a pseudonym, a nickname, or a real name to do so. He said, “This is such a serious matter. I'd better use my real name.”
I had barely finished talking when he held up his fist and said, “I am willing to quit the evil communist party and its affiliated groups. I believe that 'Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!'”
This is the only time I have seen someone hold up their fist to do the three withdrawals. Tears came to my eyes. In my mind I thanked Master for his grace and benevolence in saving all beings.
Another time, the manager yelled out “Falun Dafa is good!” Everybody heard him.
His voice was loud, and we were all quite amazed. Then, a security guard ran over to me. “The manager is calling you,” he said. “Didn't you hear him shouting 'Falun Dafa is good'? That's him calling you. The manager asked me to tell you, from now on, when he wants to call you, he would simply shout 'Falun Dafa is good!'”
I walked over to him. “Sister,” he said, “when I shout 'Falun Dafa is good,' it's you who I am calling.”
The Path Is Righteous and Bright
I have cultivated in Falun Dafa for over a dozen years. What I have done is far from enough and far from meeting Dafa's requirements. I cannot express in words my gratitude to Revered Master. However, I will try to express my wishes with a lyric:
I want to firmly grasp your hand,Repaying with righteous thoughts and righteous actsAnd following you in walking down the road ahead.I want to firmly grasp your hand,Repaying with righteous thoughts and righteous actions,Following you in traveling afar.
I Wish Revered Master a happy birthday!
