From an Atheist to a Dafa Practitioner

(Minghui.org) Growing up in Mainland China and having been taught atheism since childhood, I did not believe in the existence of Gods. However, in 1982 a visit to Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou City changed my view.

I remember that when I entered the Grand Hall of the temple and saw the giant Buddha statue, I suddenly had a very special feeling: I felt extremely calm and comfortable. I did not want to leave the hall. I knew the atheism in my mind was dissolved instantly. I never understood how it happened until years later when I read Master's poem "Entering a Sacred State of Mind" in Hong Yin III which described exactly what I felt during my visit to the temple. I understood now: It was God who cleansed atheism from my mind and cleared obstacles to my destined path - Falun Dafa cultivation.

I began practicing the Fa in 1996. I was suffering from facial paralysis when a relative of mine introduced Falun Dafa to me. He taught me the exercises. After he left, I only remembered the second exercise. I tried it for about 10 minutes. Suddenly my facial nerves started to twitch. I was shocked! For the past few months, I tried everything - Chinese and Western medicines, acupuncture, even some qigong, and secret remedies - none of them made any difference. Now I experienced movement in the nerves after only 10 minutes! I immediately decided to practice Falun Dafa.

I read the book Zhuan Falun. It explained so many deep questions in my life. It was like a thick "shell" around my head was cracked open. I knew Falun Dafa was truly what I had been searching for!

Only by Knowing the Truth, Can One Have a Bright Future

I found that when I followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, all the conflicts, pressures, and worries in my life were easily resolved. With more and more people practicing, the moral standard in society began to improve. People saw hope!

However, starting in July 1999, the former Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) leader Jiang Zemin launched the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners.

I knew very clearly that giving up Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance would be the destruction of my soul. My only choice would be continuing to practice. I wanted to follow Master to return to my true home!

I also wanted more people to know that cultivating Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance was good. At work, I kept following these principles and being a good person. When some people tried to bribe me, I always rejected the offer and tried to tell them about the wonders of Falun Dafa. During an official evaluation, I was awarded the highest level.

Despite the CCP's slandering Dafa, many people knew from the bottom of their hearts that Dafa practitioners are good. Many people around me made good choices after learning the truth. Some supported Dafa practitioners; some quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations; some recited “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” A former classmate of mine was a policeman. “Be strong,” he encouraged me.

Some state security policemen chose to dismiss cases related to Dafa practitioners. A colleague who was assigned to monitor me intentionally did so in a perfunctory manner. These people who knew the truth and made the right choices were blessed and rewarded with fortune and happiness.

There were also some people who chose to follow the CCP. They simply refused to listen to the truth. In 2004, a family member of mine was arrested for practicing Falun Dafa and was taken to a brainwashing center. When the local leader of the 610 Office was asked by a famous businessman to release the practitioner, he refused firmly.

Another local 610 Office leader said he insulted all of the overseas practitioners who tried to call him and tell him the truth. The deputy director of the local police station persecuted multiple practitioners. And the former local chief prosecutor signed many orders to arrest practitioners. Now, all of them have died from terminal diseases and some even brought disaster to their family.

These facts have had a big impact on those who work in the political and legal and civil service system. Many of them finally realized that evildoers are bound to be punished in the end. Because of this, some people stopped participating in the persecution.

Fulfilling a Practitioner's Vow to Save More People

Many people believed the CCP's lies; so they were hostile toward Dafa practitioners and committed crimes. Many officials in the 610 Office and political and legal system followed the CCP, participated in the persecution and brought terrible calamity upon themselves.

It is our duty to help people learn the truth, give them opportunities to have a good karmic relationship with Dafa and have a bright future.

For more than a decade, I have continued to clarify the truth regardless of where I was. I distributed informational materials in locations ranging from remote villages to big cities. Later while abroad, I joined various truth clarification projects, including making phone calls. I also filed a criminal lawsuit against Jiang Zemin.

When inside China, my main cultivation focus was to eliminate fear. When abroad, my main focus was to eliminate my own Party culture's influence and cooperate well with other practitioners. I tried to do my best in doing the three things that Master asks of us. I came to understand that in order to save people more effectively, we should study the Fa, look within, and cultivate ourselves well.

Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in the parade during the New York Fa Conference. I then saw Master - the moment I had been waiting for 19 years! In listening to Master's lecture, I deeply felt the seriousness of our cultivation and duty. I shall fulfill my vow and help save more people!