Introducing Scottish Children to Falun Gong

On Tuesday the 26th of October, myself and two fellow Falun Gong practitioners visited a school in Kilmarnock, Scotland. The School is called Stewarton High School and contains around 800 pupils. We had been invited by the head of the Religious Education department to speak to the pupils about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. So on the morning of the 26th of October, we arrived at Stewarton train station amid a downpour of rain (very common for Scotland). At the train station we were met with the smiling face of Brian (Head of Religious Education). Brian kindly offered to drive us to the school in his car. During my conversation with Brian, I realised that he had a very keen interest in religion and cultivation matters. I also realised that he had a strong predestined relationship with Dafa. He was very attentive and keen to learn about the benefits of Dafa and the persecution. Upon our arrival at the school we were warmly met with cups of tea and chocolate bars.

The plan for the day was as follows: we would be speaking to two classes of twenty five pupils each. Each session would last roughly fifty minutes. We discussed between us the best way to use our time wisely. After some discussion, we agreed to begin each session with a short demonstration of the Falun Gong exercises. This would create a relaxed atmosphere and allow us to show the children one of the beautiful aspects of Falun Dafa. Each of us would then talk to the children about our experience of Falun Gong. We then intended to end each session with a short showing of a V.C.D explaining facts about the persecution. This was the first time that I had participated in something like this. I was very nervous and anxious, but I also realised the importance and sacredness of what we were about to do.

The first class began around 2.00 pm. We had displayed a banner across the black board which said - “The World needs Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance’. As the pupils began to enter one after another, I could notice their different facial expressions. Some wore expressions of curiosity, some of boredom, and some were laughing and joking. However, once we began the exercises the classroom went quiet. We gave a short demonstration of all five exercises, one after the other. When we had finished, the atmosphere in the classroom was relaxed and much more serene. I also noticed the children’s faces, most of them were relaxed and happy looking. At this point I realised that the children had been waiting for today for thousands of years. Once I had this thought, I became more relaxed in my mind. Everything we were doing was for saving people and exposing the evil. Not to validate ourselves, but to validate the Fa (law or principles, the teachings in Falun Gong). My fellow female practitioner began to explain to the children the history of Falun Gong and the facts of the persecution. Every single child was attentive and interested. I then stood up to talk about my experience of practising Falun Gong. I am a Scottish practitioner so I was hoping that the children could relate to me. I told the children about my poor health and state of mind before learning Falun Gong. I then related my miraculous recovery and improved character after learning Falun Gong. I also told the children that Master Li in the core text of Falun Gong, Zhuan Falun, says - “You should always maintain a heart of benevolence and a mind of kindness,” And that If I lived in China, it is very likely that I would be imprisoned in a Forced Labour Camp and tortured for following this principle. The children realised the great injustice and cruelty of the situation in China. Someone can be tortured and imprisoned because he wants to follow - "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance". We finished up by showing the children fifteen minutes of a V.C.D.

At the end, every single child signed the petition and many took away a Rescue our Family Members’ postcard with them. The teachers stayed behind to speak to us. One female teacher was so interested in Falun Gong, that my fellow practitioner very kindly and thoughtfully gave her a copy of Zhuan Falun to keep. The day was thoroughly moving and very rewarding. During the course of speaking to the children and discussing with fellow practitioners, I realised a lot of my own shortcomings. I also realised that the children of today are living in a very special period of history, a period of history that they have waited their entire existence for. Children also have a very kind and pure side to their nature. They have received less contamination from society than adults. I think that this is why they can understand the cruelty of the persecution. I also think that they can accept the three principles, Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance very easily. I hope that our experience can encourage other practitioners to put effort into this field. If every practitioner could write or visit the schools in their area, with righteous thoughts and actions, the results will be successful. A couple of days ago, we received a phone call from Brian. He said that after our visit, the children’s amnesty group set up a table in the corridor to collect signatures for Falun Gong practitioners detained in China. On hearing this I felt touched. These children are now choosing their futures. They are choosing a wonderful future for themselves, and a chance to return to their homes. This was because of our efforts in clarifying the truth. Through studying the Fa, I have realised that although we can’t see the magnificent results of everything we do, the results may be huge. Giving a leaflet to one person on the street could change that person’s life forever.

I now intend to contact my old school to talk to them about Falun Gong and the persecution. This is a suggestion for Western practitioners. It could be a good idea to get in touch with your old school to talk to them about Falun Gong.

PS. Our petitions were sent back today by the school. There are 118 signatures for the Suing Jiang Zemin petition and 93 for the Rescue family members petition.