(Minghui.org) When April 25 approached in the early years of the persecution, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered all work units in China to: “Take care of their own people and their own doors,” which meant stopping their employees from going to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa. As a result, many practitioners in my city were arrested and detained in April and May. I was at work when the local police came to my office and attempted to force me to sign a guarantee statement not to go to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa. When I refused they threw me into a detention center.

About twenty people, including about ten practitioners, were in the same detention cell with me. We discussed how we would celebrate May 13, World Falun Dafa Day. The detention center had piles of disposable chopsticks, because inmates were forced to wrap these chopsticks in paper. We found a yellow bag for the chopsticks, cleaned it, flattened it, and formed the words “Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance” with red rubber bands on the bag. It took us several nights to finish our banner, but turned out beautiful! We were so excited to be able to make an attractive banner with the limited materials in the detention center. It was precious to us!

As we clarified the truth about the persecution of Falun Dafa to the inmates, they and the head of the our cell understood the true situation. Falun Dafa practitioners helped others selflessly. Whenever we received any food or other items from our families, we shared them with non-practitioners. They all knew that Falun Dafa practitioners were good people. They helped us in turn. The atmosphere in the detention center became harmonious. Because most newcomers didn’t have anything when they arrived, practitioners shared our supplies with them. When inmates wept, we comforted them and told them about Falun Dafa’s principles.

We studied the Fa when we didn’t have to work. Non-practitioners also joined us. We sat in rows while one read aloud from the book Zhuan Falun. It was a mini-book a fellow practitioner managed to bring in. The jailers could only see on the security camera that we were sitting quietly and didn’t know we were listening to someone reading the book. The guards also knew from our behavior that Falun Dafa practitioners were good people. When a new person came, the guard told her, “Go ask Falun Dafa practitioners to help you.”

We also did the exercises, and some non-practitioners joined us. One time, a woman from the countryside told me in excitement, “I saw some monks around me when I did the exercises.” I told her that she must have a great predestined relationship to cultivate. She said she would learn more when she was released.

The non-practitioners in our cell were happy to hear we planned to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, and said they wanted to participate. The head of our cell was also supportive. We saved our fruits and snacks as offerings for the day of celebration. On the evening of May 12, we took showers even though the water was cold, to prepare for the next day.

After breakfast, we cleaned the table, put out our fruits and snacks as offerings, and hung up our precious banner with the words, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” on the wall.

All of us, practitioners and non-practitioners, stood in rows in front of the table. The atmosphere was solemn and sacred. A practitioner sang the song “Be Saved.” Tears came to our eyes. The non-practitioners seemed touched.

I wiped my tears, took out a script I prepared, and slowly read each word. I can’t recall everything I wrote, but I remember a few sentences, “On this day, our great compassionate Master was born. The Creator descended to the mortal world, bringing light and hope to mankind. On this day, Buddha’s light shone on the world! We will always remember and celebrate this special day!”

Although we were detained, we felt we were surrounded in Buddha’s profound compassion, just like our fellow practitioners around the world.

More than twenty years have passed. As World Falun Dafa Day approaches, I can’t help recalling that celebration in the detention center. Despite the persecution, we walked the journey under Master’s protection. No words can describe our gratitude for Master’s sacrifice and grace. Tears come to my eyes every time I hear the song “Singing to Master,”

“Who could know the pain in your heart? Who could know your hardship? Who could know your bitter sacrifice? Who could know the weight of your burden?

“We came for the sentient beings. Without fear, we descended into suffering to help Teacher rectify the Way. It’s you who led us through the peril. Amidst the raging storm, Dafa’s mighty virtue shines more brightly.

“Voices of praise resound through the universe. Predestined relationships of countless ages scatter through Heaven and Earth. It’s you leading the sentient beings towards the future. The Great Way’s brilliance will forever shine in the cosmos.”