Why Should We Appeal for Falun Gong?

When the people of China travel overseas, they often run into Falun Gong practitioners actively holding activities to help others find out about the persecution and the practice all over the world. Some Chinese are influenced by the lies of the Chinese media, especially when non-Chinese participate in Falun Gong events. They fall into the thought patterns of Communist Party culture, assuming that Falun Gong events have a political purpose and wondering if they received foreign aid and if the event was staged to oppose China. If people will listen to practitioners who appeal for Falun Gong, they will understand why practitioners do this.

Mrs. Gao is from China and is 65 years old. She appeals in front of a Chinese consulate every week and is not stopped by rain or wind. Some people believe she receives money from other sources, but after talking with her carefully they learn that Mrs. Gao was a propaganda official in a factory union. Thirteen years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease had developed into the late stages and had metastasised to her lymph nodes when it was discovered. She had an operation, removing dozens of lymph nodes. Her breast muscles were largely excised, and she had to endure the torture of chemotherapy. She did not want to live anymore.

When she started to practise Falun Gong, her pain disappeared. Seeing how the Chinese media was slandering Falun Gong, and with young local practitioners busy with study, work and other activities, Mrs. Gao thought that her time was more flexible than others, so she decided to come to the Chinese consulate, where so many Chinese come, at fixed times each week.

Jeff comes from Taiwan and is a senior engineer. Explaining why he actively participates in Falun Gong appeals, he told the story of his wife. From childhood, his wife had a rare disease that no one could cure, not even the best specialist in America. Jeff found a specialist with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. After a few months of consultations, they found that his wife had a maladjusted immune system, which actually attacked her thyroid. Because his wife's case was so unique, the specialist agreed to treat her without charge. After a year of treatment, his wife's symptoms disappeared. Jeff was very touched, and he decided to stay in the U.S. and work hard so that his taxes could help repay this great service. Unfortunately, after a while, his wife's condition recurred. Another doctor said that his wife had no hope of recovery. Then his wife started to practise Falun Gong. Her disease magically disappeared and never recurred. Jeff and his wife are so grateful to Falun Gong. Since then Jeff has become the volunteer coordinator and local contact person for Falun Gong for information about the practise and the persecution.

Zenon is a young Westerner. In November of 2001 he and other over 30 Western practitioners went to Tiananmen Square to appeal for Falun Gong. Before he went to China, he wrote down the purpose of his trip. He wrote: "Because of practising Falun Gong, I stopped drinking, smoking, drugs and other bad habits which contaminated my body and my heart. Falun Dafa comes from your homeland--China--and from your broad and fine culture. Without Dafa there would be no 'me' today. With deep respect, I step into your country. I come for you, clarifying the truth to you. I hope through my Western face and pure heart, I can wake up the compassion in your heart."

There are so many similar stories. In the 80 countries where Falun Gong is now practised, the people who have benefited from it are numerous. Some get rid of long-term illnesses, some have their broken families mended, some are literally saved by Falun Gong, and some gain an understand of the meaning of the life. In these troubled times, teaching people to live following the principle of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," freely helping billions of people all over the world to obtain peace of the mind and a healthy body, who wouldn't be touched by such a noble gesture?

The ancients had a saying: "Receive the favour of a drop of water and repay with a gush from a spring." To the person who has done us the favour of saving our life, we must be grateful our whole life. When a benefactor suffers injustice, when good people suffer tribulation, we must step out in his defence. This is a basic human principle. Falun Gong practitioners follow the principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" and they have greatly benefited from it. When Falun Gong suffers such a terrible injustice of so many kindhearted practitioners in China being persecuted, how can we not speak out for justice?

Whether it is on Tiananmen Square or at a Chinese consulate, these are the places to let people know the truth. When people suffer injustice, we should allow them a place to speak out. Thinking from another angle, who wouldn't want to stay at home comfortably? Who would like to endure the extremes of heat and cold for so long? The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has persecuted Falun Gong for six years now, and numerous practitioners and their families have suffered great tribulations as they peacefully appeal and oppose the persecution. Shouldn't we understand them and reach out to them? Shouldn't we be touched when we see so many people from so many different countries and races respecting "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," being grateful to Falun Gong, and appealing for Falun Gong? They are the people who really love China. No matter which country, which group, what people, when they call out for compassion and for justice, we should be happy for them, because the fire of human nature surpasses all boundaries. This is the hope of humankind.

Some people think that Falun Gong practitioners are paid to appeal. But consider this carefully: How much money would you need to be paid to appeal for Falun Gong in the face of the threat of violence, in the face of lies and slander? How much money would you have to be paid to clarify the truth in the cold and the heat for six years? So many practitioners are highly educated and have well-paying jobs. If they are doing this for money, what else could they possibly need for them to choose this way to earn it? In the cold and the heat, against pressure and misunderstanding, they continue to insist on a just word for Falun Gong. Only those people who know from the heart that Falun Dafa is good, are grateful to Falun Gong, and who possess a strong backbone and have a kind heart can achieve this.

On the one hand, the CCP persecutes Falun Gong and, on the other, they vilify the peaceful appeals of Falun Gong practitioners. Aren't they attacking people's benevolent thoughts and destroying the basic tenants of our humanity? This behaviour--which opposes China and even humankind--should be opposed and stopped.