Remembering a Falun Gong Seminar in Yanbian, China

After reading many wonderful stories written by fellow practitioners about the founder of Falun Gong and our Teacher, Mr. Li Hongzhi, spreading the practice of Falun Gong, I was deeply touched. It was these articlew which in turn led to my memories in which Teacher spread the Fa, the Falun Gong teachings, in the Yanbian area emerged in my mind. Those were the most beautiful and unforgettable moments in my life.

Teacher gave lectures at the Yanbian Auditorium during the period of August 20th-28th, 1994. The scale of the lecture was huge, with approximately three thousands people from about ten provinces around China. Among those people, there were veteran practitioners who followed Teacher from lecture to lecture and also staff members of the Falun Dafa Research Association. They were all very friendly and kind.

I was born in a family that has believed in Buddhism for three generations. Therefore, I had met many Buddhists since childhood. When I was ten, Buddhist practitioners came to my home to chant scriptures. I heard them talk about a Buddha named "Mu Zi" (means Li) who would come to offer human beings salvation. They hoped that all predestined people could board the Fa ship. This made a very deep impression on me at the time.

I started to practice Falun Gong in June of 1994. In just a few days, I felt much more energetic, and my body was especially light. Shortly after that, fellow practitioners told me that Teacher would come to the Yanbian area on August 20th to spread the Fa. I immediately registered. It was said that the class would be held for ten days with a seminar fee of forty-three yuan. The qigong seminars I used to attend cost as much as five hundred yuan a week. Fellow practitioners told me that this Teacher had cultivated Buddhahood, and his goal is to guide people in cultivation, not making money. I thought that this teacher might be a high-level teacher and that it would not coincidental for me to encounter him.

I arrived at the auditorium around eight o’clock on August 20th, waiting for Teacher’s arrival. When Teacher appeared on the stage, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause. Teacher is very tall. His face was glowing with light. He looked very young and had black, shiny hair. He seemed to be only about twenty or thirty years old. We saw Teacher hold his palm erect in front of his chest. He was greeting everyone while walking onto the stage.

I stared at Teacher longingly and could not help but to gasp in surprise: wasn’t he the Teacher whom I had been seeking for so many years? Mu Zi means Li! Teacher is the real Buddha. I was so excited that my tears flowed. I thought in my mind: Teacher, it has been such a hard journey to find you! Why do you appear before me so late? You are not in a temple, and you appear among out in society. Today, I have found the true Teacher! I was so excited. I will never forget those experiences!

While giving the lecture, Teacher did not use any drafts of a speech. There was only a bottle of water and a sheet of paper on the desk without any other materials. I brought a pen and a notebook, prepared to take some notes. The place where I sat was extremely far away from the stage, but Teacher seemed to know that I was going to take notes and said, "Do not take notes. You will hardly be able to concentrate on the lecture and will not be able to record everything." (paraphrase) I then put away the pen and notebook, concentrating on listening to Teacher’s lecture.

Teacher said:

"I think that those who can listen to my lectures in person, I would say, honestly... you will realize in the future that this period of time is extremely precious." (Zhuan Falun)

When Teacher was giving the lecture, the energy field was very strong. I felt really comfortable and sensed the emptiness in my mind. My tears just flowed continuously, but I did not know why. It was August at that time, and the weather was very hot, but Teacher did not touch his bottle of water while giving the lecture. Teacher was extremely busy. Some practitioners started fanning themselves. Teacher said, "Do not fan yourself. The more you fan, the hotter you will feel." (paraphrase) I put away the fan. Then, a breeze blew through the stadium, and it was no longer hot.

After each class, Teacher would teach practitioners the exercises. A practitioner demonstrated the five sets of exercises on the stage, and Teacher came down to correct our movements. On the second day, I could not help but fall sleep, but I heard all of what Teacher said. I was very anxious about this situation. When Teacher was giving the lecture, I saw that the Buddhas, Taos, Gods in other dimensions all knelt down in front of Teacher. All the Buddhas, Taos, Gods from layers upon layers of other dimensions were all like this. They were all very dignified and solemn. Unlike them, I sat listening to the lecture and fell asleep. I felt that this was really disrespectful toward Teacher.

As I was thinking this, Teacher said:

"A few individuals may fall asleep and wake up as soon as I finish my lecture. Why is that? It is because their brains have illnesses that need to be treated. One will be unable to stand it if one’s brain is worked on. Therefore, one must be put into a state of anesthesia or become unconscious. Nevertheless, some people do not have a problem hearing me. Though they may sleep soundly, they hear everything without missing a single word. They will become energetic afterwards, and will not feel sleepy even if they go two days without sleep. There are different syndromes which all need adjustment. Your entire body will be purified." (Zhuan Falun)

Teacher is so compassionate; he always thinks about the welfare of his practitioners. From that moment on, I made up my mind to follow Teacher. It is really an opportunity that is difficult to find in millions of years.

After ten classes, my view of life went through a dramatic change. The questions that had caused doubts within me all my life were all solved. I then knew how to act like a good person. When Teacher was answering questions from the audience, my brain was empty, devoid of any questions. I felt that this Teacher was extremely holy and knew everything. Toward the end of the lecture series, Teacher performed a set of Dashouyin (intricate sign language ). His Dashouyin was amazing. I looked in amazement, knowing that this Teacher is a real Buddha. It was the most beautiful moment in my life.

After the class, practitioners gave presents to Teacher. Teacher announced that the remainder of the seminar’s funds, amounting to seven thousand dollars, would be given to the Red Cross. Right after the lecture had ended, some practitioners told Teacher that the seminar fee in Guangzhou was one hundred yuan. Teacher said that the fee was too high, and he said to have the excess charge refunded to anyone who had already paid. After deciding to return the money, Teacher instantly started his journey to Guangzhou. To save sentient beings, Teacher makes a lot of effort, day and night. It is really hard to describe Teacher’s profound compassion and broad mind.

Twelve years have passed. Teacher’s appearance and smile still frequently come vividly to mind. Teacher, thank you for your compassion. Thank you for the Fa you spread. Although I have made mistakes several times during my cultivation, my heart is with Teacher and Falun Dafa and is always steadfast. All the propaganda to slander Teacher are nothing but lies.

Under Teacher's protection and compassion, I have made it to the present day. I won't fail Teacher's benevolent offer of salvation and will cherish this opportunity, which is difficult to obtain in millions of years.