A Gentleman Upholds Righteousness whereas a Base Person Only Knows Self-interest -- On the Preposterous Theory of Falun Gong "Being Funded by Anti-China Forces"

In the last three years, Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin has deployed all the political means at his disposal, and used the media as his mouthpiece in the persecution against Falun Gong. However, the peaceful resistance of Falun Gong practitioners is becoming stronger and more resourceful, especially in recent days since Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun successfully broadcast truth-clarifying programs through the cable TV network, and Jiang was chased like a rat running across the street by overseas Falun Gong practitioners while on his trip to Germany. All this has made Jiang's claim of "victory in the struggle against Falun Gong" nothing but a laughing stock time and time again.

Jiang's regime has now put forth yet another preposterous theory of Falun Gong being "funded by anti-China forces." Recently, Jia Chunwang, China's Minister of Public Security accused the United States of allocating 20 million dollars to support Falun Gong activities. On one hand, they want to find an excuse for their own incompetence; on the other hand, they are trying to stir up feelings of jealousy and hatred in the general public. Some people in the United States who have ulterior motives are also echoing this phoney theory, and some have gone even so far as to work out a detailed "budget".

Lately, many people have written articles to point out how ridiculous this theory is. My personal view is that the basis for such a theory can be summed up with one sentence: "A gentleman upholds righteousness whereas a base person only knows self-interest." This saying of Confucius is an important yardstick to distinguish a gentleman from a base person. Everyone knows the difference between righteousness and self-interest, but in this worldly society, there are so few who truly care about righteousness.

To Falun Gong practitioners, their peaceful appeals, protests against the persecution and truth-clarification are to safeguard their beliefs and let more people know the truth about Falun Dafa. Although people may not agree with their beliefs, we have to agree that what they are doing is for the sake of righteousness and not for self-interest. Those Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China are fully aware that they would lose their self-interest by stepping forward, but they still courageously come forward to appeal and to clarify the truth. They still firmly hold onto their beliefs when suffering severe tortures in prison or forced labour camps. Clearly, they have in their hearts only righteousness and no self-interest. Similarly, the continued petitions in front of Chinese embassies and consulates by overseas Falun Gong practitioners and the time and money they put into their appeals and protests on various occasions are also for righteousness, and there is absolutely no consideration of self-interest.

However, what those who work out a "budget" for Falun Gong can see is only self-interest, because in their hearts there is only consideration for self-interest. They measure everything with money and have no place in their heart for righteousness. They calculate the cost of airfare and accommodations for those overseas Falun Gong practitioners who travel to other countries to appeal for their beliefs, because in everything they do, they always calculate compensation and allowances. However, they have forgotten that Falun Gong practitioners in China are willing to risk their lives to appeal for their beliefs. Then why can't overseas Falun Gong practitioners appeal for their beliefs without compensation and allowances?

In fact, those who are calculating a "budget" should know that righteousness and conscience are invaluable. The reason that Falun Gong, after suffering three years of persecution, is still full of vitality is because no self-interest or violence can change the hearts that are inspired by mighty virtues. If what sustains Falun Gong practitioners were not righteousness but self-interest, then no matter how big a "budget" Falun Gong has, they would not have been able to sustain themselves for so long. Falun Gong will continue to resist with courage, because the power of pure beliefs is incomparable.

Source: http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2002/5/7/21747.html

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2002/5/3/29460.html