(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Dafa with my family in 1997 when I was still young. At the time, some practitioners near where I lived were diligent in their cultivation, but my own state would often fluctuate. I would sometimes be diligent and sometimes slack off. I knew deep inside that Dafa was good, and I felt that it was a supreme honor to become a Dafa practitioner during the Fa-rectification period and that I had responsibilities and a mission that I needed to fulfill. Thus, I hoped that I would do well with whatever I was asked to do.
As I studied the Fa more, Master enlightened me to the idea that believing in Master and Dafa is what can truly change a cultivator. I realized that cultivating well may not necessarily mean that we have to force ourselves to do something that ordinary people do and is only superficial. What’s more important is to believe in what we learn from cultivating. One must believe that Master and Dafa can definitely change a person—from the most basic underlying principles to the visible outward manifestation.
I found out recently that there would be a signature collection for the “Falun Gong Protection Act.” On the signature form, in addition to name and signature, one is also asked to give one’s home address, city, and zip code.
This requires thoroughly explaining the facts to people, including what Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is, what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is, and why the CCP persecutes Falun Gong. We also are asked to explain the CCP’s organ harvesting industry and how this protection bill would sanction the people involved.
When I was handed the form, the first thought in my mind was to go through everyone I knew and could contact, and think carefully about who would sign and support this bill.
Things did not go well the first day I tried to clarify the truth and explain the “Falun Gong Protection Act” to people. No one wanted to sign. The next day, I saw that fellow practitioners were actively collecting signatures for the bill and sharing their experiences. Seeing fellow practitioners’ finished signature forms, I was embarrassed. I started to worry: What if others finish one form after another, while I only had a blank piece of paper?
On the bus, I was having mixed feelings. Then, I saw two people who often rode the bus with me, so I started to clarify the truth to them. But they refused to listen, and I was again rejected. My heart sank, and I was troubled.
I thought: Other people submitted completed signature forms, but mine were all blank. I caught myself having this thought and suddenly became alert. I asked myself: What is the significance of collecting signatures? Is it to clarify the truth to all sentient beings or to get people to sign a form and complete the task?
I am doing this to clarify the truth. Collecting signatures is an opportunity for me to clarify the truth. How a sentient being expresses his opinion is his business, so what I need to do is to tell the truth to everyone I meet and give them the opportunity to make the right choice.
Just then, a man who often took this bus and whom I knew got on the bus. He sat next to me, so I smiled and said naturally, “I have something very important to tell you.” I took out the petition form and told him the facts about the persecution in China. He firmly agreed and signed the petition.
Incidentally, I first gave him the wrong form, the one for people who were not local. After I explained my mistake, he gladly signed again on the right form. I was touched. I knew I had imparted the truth clearly.
Through this incident I realized that what is truly important is whether we deal with the matter with our hearts and whether we tell the truth clearly. As long as we use our hearts and make the truth truly known, sentient beings will make the right choice automatically.
Because I speak English pretty well, I got better and better at telling people the facts about Falun Dafa as I continued to learn and try. I also let go of attachments to saving face, fear of rejection, worry, desire for results, and other human desires. At the same time, I slacked off in clarifying the truth to Chinese people and encouraging them to withdraw from the CCP.
I was on a bus with fellow practitioners one day when I saw an elderly Chinese-looking woman getting on the bus. She had something wrong with her legs and feet. I helped her pull down the folding seat so it was easier for her to sit. I took the opportunity to hand her a card about Gan Jing World.
She began to tell her story and said that she was a Chinese Cambodian and had personally experienced the Khmer Rouge massacre in Cambodia in the 1970s. She was almost killed and barely escaped. She loudly recounted the crimes of the CCP and described her own tragic experiences.
A fellow practitioner told her that she could be interviewed by the Epoch Times and report her experience. A Chinese person sitting in the front row told us very pointedly to not echo what the woman said about the CCP, because it might create an environment where the Chinese are more bullied.
We clarified the truth to this Chinese person and told him that the CCP was not the same as China, that China is very good, that we are all Chinese. “But,” I went on to say, “the CCP is a devil. What this Chinese Cambodian said was true. Being in a free society, we should learn more about the truth.” But he didn’t take it very well and walked up to the door before the bus got to the station. It’s a pity that we were unable to convince him.
I reflected on it and realized that nothing is accidental. Why didn’t this Chinese person accept what we told him? It occurred to me that I favored the non-Chinese. I think they are more sincere, kind, and polite. Even if they don’t agree with me, they do not make me feel embarrassed. But many Chinese are not like that. Sometimes they not only turn you away but also have a very bad attitude.
Perhaps it is precisely because of this incorrect thought in my heart that things seem to go smoothly when I clarify the truth to non-Chinese, but I have trouble doing so to Chinese. In fact, it is all my own fault. I have no compassion and do not treat all sentient beings with kindness and love. That was why the other party did not understand the truth and could not be saved.
Who Is at Fault
Was I just like the teacher who only likes students that make good grades and does not care about students with poor grades and is unwilling to talk to them? Can students with poor grades still learn and get into college? Is that a good teacher? A good teacher will spend more time and energy on students with poor grades to help them improve.
After realizing this, I began to correct myself. Whenever I see a person walking on the street, I say to his main spirit in my heart: “Deities sent me here to save you.” I give non-Chinese Gan Jing World cards, and I give Chinese people copies of the Chinese edition of the Epoch Times and ask them to quit the CCP, or I give them a Chinese version of the Gan Jing World card.
When my own mentality and state changed, people also changed. They were friendlier and more willing to accept things from me. So, in reality, many times it is not the problem of sentient beings, but our own problem.
A fellow practitioner said that most Westerners, whether they sign or not, understand that the CCP is evil. But the Chinese people are different. If a Chinese doesn’t understand the truth about Falun Dafa, and if his mind is not cleared of the poisons of the CCP’s lies, and he doesn’t clearly declare his withdrawal from all CCP organizations, he will not be saved. The Chinese people are precious. Master recently enlightened us to save more Chinese people.
I have always felt that I am the luckiest being by being able to listen to the Fa in these last days, to be saved by gods and Buddhas, and to have the most glorious title, “Dafa disciple in the Fa-rectification period.”
Someone once asked me if I missed home. I really don’t, I don’t have time to think about it. I live a fulfilling life every day, and my true home is in heaven. I want to follow Master back to my true home.
Given Master’s compassionate arrangements and care, I gradually matured and began to try my own way to validate the Fa and save sentient beings. I know I still have many shortcomings and areas for improvement, and I will definitely correct myself.
I will listen to Master and save everyone by speaking from my heart.