Is It True that the Weak Cannot Prevail over the Strong?

There is a Chinese proverb, "The weak will surrender to the strong." It means that the strong will win over the weak, or the weak will succumb to the strong. Generally this proverb holds true, but there are always exceptions. Under some extraordinary conditions, the weaker "can" win over the strong and the small "can" prevail over the larger. There are many historical events that prove that the weak were a match to or even triumphed over the strong.

Under what circumstance is the weak more likely to triumph over the strong? It might depend greatly on their degree of "goodness" or "righteousness". There is an ancient Chinese proverb, "The heaven will lend its support to a man who lives in the Tao (the Way of nature and the universe) and will not grant support to those who strays from the Tao." If the weaker is righteous or their actions abide by the Way of nature and the universe, they can ultimately triumph over the strong, even if they might temporally lose to the strong. If the strong is not righteous or its actions violate the Way of nature and the universe, they will become increasingly weak and ultimately be defeated. This relationship between the strong and the weak is in reality nature's way to compensate the weak because they live by the Tao. Thus, all matter follows nature's rule and abides by this law. Changing philosophies project this law, and the law does not change.

In history, there are countless exceptions to the belief that "the weak will succumb to the strong." For example, Mahatma Gandhi, one of the founding fathers of modern India, led a nonviolent revolution that ultimately dismantled the British Empire and replaced it with the Commonwealth. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the greatest leaders and heroes in America's history, and in the modern history of nonviolence and organised civil rights movements. He stood up against all odds for African Americans' right to vote, desegregation, fair employment practices, and other fundamental civil rights. Most of these rights were later successfully enacted under United States law, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Gandhi was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize, though it was never awarded to him. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King spoke for the minority. However, they held a righteous view and thus they gained the people's support, and finally were victorious against all odds. Such victories are not only found in the political, but also in the cultural and cultivation arena. When Buddhism was introduced for the first time, seven impressive religions opposed Buddhism and called it a "cult." However, because what Buddha Sakyamuni taught was righteous, other religions increasingly weakened and Buddhism spread worldwide. In western society, after Jesus was murdered, Christians were severely mistreated by the populace and persecuted by the authorities. However Jesus taught people upright principles. Therefore, Christianity became western society's most practiced religion. More and more believed what the Christian faith taught.

At the end of the 20th century, Falun Dafa emerged, teaching the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." Falun Dafa's principles were embraced by more than 100 million practitioners, bringing great improvements to their health, both physically and mentally. Yet, out of personal jealousy and ignorance and against the advice of others, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin orchestrated the campaign of persecution against more than 100 million of his fellow countrymen. To justify this persecution, he fabricated lies, disseminated them through the propaganda tools under his control, and recklessly slandered Falun Dafa and its practitioners. At the same time, he used the state apparatus, such as the army, police and spies as tools to persecute steadfast Falun Gong practitioners.

Facing this, Falun Gong practitioners have been exposing the devastating persecution, and helping people learn the truth through peaceful means and with enormous courage. They hold on to their beliefs. Five years have passed, and Falun Dafa is standing strong against the suppression. Not only are most practitioners in China steadfast in their belief, but also many people who understand the truth have begun to practice Falun Gong and became firm practitioners. More and more people of all walks of life recognise the truth of Falun Dafa. Some sympathise, some support and some secretly protect practitioners. The persecution has become more and more unpopular with the people of China.

Looking into the past, we found that before the persecution started in 1999, Falun Gong had spread internationally to over 30 countries. Since 1999, it has spread to over more than 60 countries and regions, and received more than 1200 awards and proclamations. Furthermore, the leading criminal, Jiang Zemin, and his accomplices have been sued in many countries worldwide. Justice is prevailing and spreading its wings worldwide. This trend is demonstrating the eternal truth of "the just will in the end defeat evil" to the entire world.