(Minghui.org) I first learned about Falun Dafa in 2016. My family members are all Buddhists and I have visited temples since I was young. I enjoy meditation very much, and I have continually searched for true teachings. I often spent time during school holidays or in my spare time, as a temporary nun, and followed the precepts regularly until I married and had two children.
My husband and his family are very religious. They enjoy going to temples and frequently donate to them. I also enjoyed going to the temples. After getting married, I moved to another province where I met a monk with whom I felt a sense of connection. From then on, I focused on practicing and studying the Buddhist teachings until I felt I was part of the temple. My entire family had a strong relationship with the temple.
One day I met one of the monk’s fellow students. We greeted and talked casually. He handed me a book and asked me to read it. He suggested reading the book through to the end. I accepted it. The book was titled Zhuan Falun. When I received it I didn’t think much of it. The first time I read it, I felt a surge of powerful energy emanating from the book. While reading it, I could feel energy at the center of the crown of my head, with the energy spiraling up to the top of my head.
I realized that this book had considerable power but I did not consider taking up Falun Dafa at that time. I thought the Buddhist path I was on was already good and there was no need to change – not to mention how it might change my family’s relationship with the temple at which I studied. Changing would not be possible. Nevertheless, I read the book to the end. One time I placed the book on the bedside table. As I was about to leave the room, I glanced over and saw a bright light on the bedside table. I walked over to see. It was Zhuan Falun illuminating brightly. I felt that the book was definitely not ordinary. At that time I was not doing the Falun Dafa exercises yet, only reading the book.
I learned the five sets of exercises from a Falun Dafa practitioner. The practitioner went to teach me the exercises at the temple I regularly visited. The first time I did the movements, I felt energy circulating throughout my body. I didn’t realize that I should practice only one cultivation way. I thought it was possible to practice both at the same time, since both teachings fall under the Buddha School. I went to the temple every Sunday. On the one day I couldn’t go, I fell ill with a fever and had no energy.
I called the practitioner. He told me it was time to choose one cultivation method, but I was very confused. I couldn’t let go of Buddhism. Every night I prayed and meditated. I would no longer be able to pray, pay homage to monks, or meditate if I left Buddhism. I couldn’t accept such a major change. I thought that if I had to choose, I would choose that to which I was accustomed. But deep down inside I couldn’t let Dafa go. While I napped, I felt something trying to wake me to do the exercises. I didn’t want to, so I pretended to sleep sitting up. I saw myself in another dimension doing the five sets of exercises beautifully and gracefully. I was very surprised. My physical body was in a half-conscious, half-awake state, sitting up. Ever since learning Dafa, I had felt a sense of inexplicable restlessness.
Every time I had the thought of quitting Dafa, my body felt confused, and I had heart palpitations. There was an indescribable anxiousness, to the point where I thought there was something wrong with me. Ultimately I decided to go into secluded meditation at the temple to decide which cultivation path to choose. I made a wish that if Falun Dafa was my destined path, that I be given a sign so I could continue without further hesitation.
On the first day in secluded meditation, I felt tormented with a strong internal conflict. This wasn’t my first time following this Buddhist method. I wanted to return to the usual way of deep meditation, but I couldn’t. I saw another me separate and continually do the Falun Dafa exercises. I had the thought, “Whoever wants to practice go ahead. I’m going to continue my old way.” It was a constant fight until I could no longer take it, and when I decided to sleep, I heard the Fa teachings throughout the night. In my heart I understood that everything Master taught was correct and righteous. The sound was clear and I knew that I couldn’t leave Dafa. The following day I started to do the five sets of exercises while still in secluded meditation.
When I let the old teachings go, my body felt light and free. I felt much energy while practicing the exercises. I started to understand Dafa from different perspectives even though I was still in the temple. One evening while doing the fifth exercise, I felt my body floating in the universe. Light was illuminating everything, completely filling the entire universe. Master told me this was my reward. The light was the power of Dafa that Master gave me to help save sentient beings; this power of Dafa will be of much benefit to sentient beings. I bowed and thanked Master Li.
After I left the temple, I was determined to cultivate and told others who were still confused to choose to practice Falun Dafa. I was confident that I made the right choice. I told my family that I decided to practice Falun Dafa and only Falun Dafa. My husband saw how determined I was, and also decided to practice. We started practicing together, and helped each other overcome tribulations, whether the tests were from Master or due to the old forces’ arrangements.
Luckily, I am a person who learns things pretty fast, with good enlightenment quality. With Master watching over me I was able to pass the enlightening stages and dissolve karma quickly. My son and daughter are also looked after by Master, and their karma is periodically dissolved. We’re not worried about them because we believe Master is looking after them. Both appear to have improved their state of mind. My children often say, “If someone hits us, we won’t hit back. If someone yells at us, we won’t yell back.” They strive not to lose de (virtue). Their grades have also improved.
One day I left the house to run an errand. But I had a bad feeling before I left. When I glanced at a family photo I noticed that I was not in it. I thought maybe it was just an illusion and didn’t think about it, but it left me with an eerie feeling.
I chose to drive our old car, which I normally didn’t use. While driving, it suddenly started to rain hard, and there was no visibility. I decided to stop on the side of the road and read Zhuan Falun while I waited for the rain to stop. When it did stop, I drove off. A few moments later I noticed that the warning light for the radiator was lit up. As I slowed to enter the shoulder lane, the car in front of me lost control and spun in circles. It scratched my car lightly before veering off the road.
I was not scared at that moment. I felt a strong energy turning around my body. My hands holding the steering wheel were completely numb. If I hadn’t slowed down at the time, and had followed that car at a fast speed, the car would surely have hit me, taking both vehicles down. I knew that Master had protected me and I had paid back some of my karma from that incident. It was like Master said, that we will not be scared at the moment. About an hour after the incident, I started shaking and became scared.
As a result of my determination to cultivate, I told my mother and aunt that I had started practicing Falun Dafa. They couldn’t accept it at first, because my family were all followers of the temple. They had respected and had faith in this belief all along. They continually asked me if I was sure about the change. I showed them that I was determined and resolute and that I respected Master Li Hongzhi very much. They therefore didn’t try to stop me.
Both of them went to watch the Shen Yun Performing Arts show in Taiwan with me. After returning from watching Shen Yun, both became interested and wanted to practice Falun Dafa. A fellow practitioner and I taught them the exercises. From there they said they would diligently practice Falun Dafa. They began to read the book and exercised every day.
In the beginning, they encountered many tribulations and tests to pass and enlighten to, including dissolving karma. I encouraged my mother and aunt because cultivation is not easy. There are many different tribulations, whether it be old-force interference, thought karma, or sickness karma. When they met with tribulations, I supported and encouraged them. I’m confident that the seeds of cultivation have been planted and they know that Dafa is good.
In my cultivation I try to do the three things that Master has asked practitioners to do, with a focus on eliminating my attachments and purifying myself. I try to control the thoughts that interfere by doing what Master has taught, which is following the course of nature, and not thinking about the past. I trust that Master has arranged the best for practitioners. One only needs to concentrate on cultivating, not stray from the Fa, not slack off, and close any loopholes that the old forces could use. Whenever an incident happens, I use the Fa to decide how to handle it.
In the beginning I followed an ordinary person’s lifestyle. I watched the news, played on Facebook, and checked out various social media, just like everyday people in the current society. However, one night while I was doing the fifth exercise I enlightened that I needed to stop playing on Facebook. It was a waste of time, and sometimes negative things come from what we read there. Yet I couldn’t stop, and the next time I got on the Internet, I wanted to check it out as usual. But this time when I opened up Facebook my face felt numb and hot. There was a surge of energy that passed through my eyes straight through to the crown of my head. I had a massive headache and my head felt heavy. My eyes became irritated and teary.
I closed it immediately and enlightened that I shouldn’t play on Facebook. I should use my time to study the Fa. From that moment on I changed my behavior toward all media. I stopped watching TV and no longer played on Facebook. I used my time to read the Falun Dafa books, and studied the Fa repeatedly. The inner meaning of the Fa thus revealed itself more and more. When it is time for us to understand a certain meaning, Master will reveal it to us and provide supporting conditions to help us understand the Fa.
I understand why Master needs to be strict with practitioners who recently obtained the Fa. It is because there is not much time left for cultivation. The requirements are strict for those who entered late. Master doesn’t want practitioners to waste their time on frivolous ordinary things. We should cultivate and raise our level faster to catch up. The changes in the body are continuous when you raise your level, as long as you don’t stop cultivating or slack off.
The changes in myself are evident. My environment is better, I’m more at peace, and I see through this world of illusion more clearly. It feels like the sediment buried deep in me has been dug up through passing tests. I’m determined to eliminate my attachments. When I pass a test, my level increases quickly. Master pushes the sediment out of me until I’m like glass. My heart is clear, empty, and always light.
It is like Master said,
“Once you improve your xinxing, your body will undergo a great change. Upon xinxing improvement, the matter in your body is guaranteed to transform. What kind of changes will take place? You will give up those bad things that you are attached to. For example, if a bottle filled with dirty things is sealed tightly and thrown into water, it will sink all the way to the bottom. You pour out some of its dirty contents. The more you empty the bottle, the higher it will float in the water. If it is emptied entirely, it will float completely to the top.” (Zhuan Falun)
I began to take everything lightly and naturally, with no pressure or forcing, as every change should happen naturally. Whenever a problem occurs, I know that the Fa will reveal itself immediately. Every thought and action is arranged by the Fa, which is correct and righteous. There is no plan in life, no notions, and no expectations, because everything in life is already determined by the Fa that Master arranged. We just need to cultivate well.
My entire family now practices Falun Dafa. My husband is also diligent. He studies the Fa whenever he has free time. He lived an ordinary lifestyle before he began cultivating, doing business and setting goals, as head of the household. But after he began studying the Fa, he let go of many of those attachments while still fulfilling his duties. Whatever we are responsible for, we should do it well and without attachment. My husband has a duty to provide for the family, which he does well. I have a duty to take care of the children, which I do without any expectations or goals. I believe that Master will look after both of our children, and I just have to follow the course of nature. My duty is to care for them and support them. I trust Master to look after them.
Despite everything that has happened to me since I started to cultivate, I feel that I am very lucky and fortunate that my family and I obtained the Fa at this time when it is near the end. I’m happy that Master never left me or my family. I want to thank my fellow practitioners who gave me advice on this cultivation path. During the enlightening stages, I had their advice to steer me in the right direction. The chance of swaying away from the Fa is always there, especially when one’s understanding is shallow. Today, my righteous thoughts are strong. With righteous and pure thoughts, I can send forth righteous thoughts that are powerful.
While doing the three things, I wanted to share my experience, and encourage new practitioners not to give up, and to concentrate on cultivation. For those who just started practicing, and are confused about which teaching to follow, or who don’t dare to let their old ways go, I know it is difficult, but read Zhuan Falun in its entirety first.
In cultivating Dafa, your heart is truly the indicator. As long as you have faith, belief, and determination, the Fa will reveal its deeper meanings and higher levels, beyond your imagination and beyond what ordinary people know. Master Li Hongzhi is the only person who teaches the true and righteous Fa of the cosmos.
“Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” (Zhuan Falun, Lecture 1)
As long as you cultivate, Master will always be beside you.