Improving My Heart and Mind While Saving Sentient Beings

I began practising Falun Gong in 2000, and major changes have since taken place in my mind and body. With Master's guidance, while telling the people about the persecution of Falun Gong, advising people to withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), saving sentient beings, and learning through interaction with fellow practitioners, I have experienced constant improvement in my character. I would like to report on my understanding of the Fa, and hope that fellow practitioners will kindly point out anything inappropriate.

Catching Up in my Understanding of Resisting the Persecution

I began my cultivation after the CCP started persecuting Falun Gong. I read reports about how practitioners were persecuted and why Master asked practitioners to disseminate the facts about Dafa. I was quite angry about the persecution, so I started explaining to people what Falun Gong was really about. At that time, I didn't have a good grasp of the Fa, didn't know that I could ask for Master's guidance, wasn't aware of the inner meaning of saving the sentient beings, and had no idea that I could access supernormal powers with righteous thoughts. Therefore, I was using ordinary people's reasoning to protest against the persecution.

At that time, truth-clarifying materials were limited. Whenever I received materials, I immediately looked for copiers, but their operators were all afraid of the CCP, and would only make copies for a high price.

Master said,

"Validate the Fa with rationality, clarify the truth with wisdom, spread the Fa and save people with mercy." ("Rationality" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

This reminded me to use rationality to validate the Fa, instead of money. Therefore, I told the operators about the miracles of Dafa and the compassion of Master. I also explained why the CCP chose to persecute Dafa. Once they understood the facts, they accepted the truth-clarifying materials, refused to take any money, and said "You are doing a good deed. We should help you protest this persecution."

Persevering in Explaining the Truth and Advising People to Make the "Three Withdrawals"

Master said,

"Clarify the truth thoroughly, eliminate the evil with righteous thoughts, save all beings, and safeguard the Fa with determination." ("Dafa is Indestructible" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

From talking with fellow practitioners, we realized that people in the city knew more about Dafa than those living in the countryside. Therefore, we travelled to the countryside to spread the facts about Dafa to the farmers. Once a person understood the facts, we advised them to withdraw from the CCP. Then we gave the person a set of Dafa materials so that he could show it to his friends and relatives. We also told him that by reciting "Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good," good fortune would come to him. Most people appreciated what we said and some enthusiastically thanked us for the information.

Very few people working at government agencies still believe in communism. Although the communists claim to be atheists, many of them go to worship in temples and pray for good luck and blessings. In the CCP constitution, it is stated "there is freedom of religion." Falun Gong teaches people to use Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as the standard for living, thus raising the ethical standard of society. At this time, tens of millions of communists have awakened and decided to withdraw from the CCP. Who wants to perish along with the collapse of the CCP?

For people of different backgrounds, I adjust my approach accordingly. For religious people, I inform them about the CCP's corruption, tell them why the moral standard is on the decline, and what Falun Gong is about. I also mention the reason that Dafa practitioners clarify the truth to people, how all religions were hurt by the cultural revolution, and that all religious believers are being persecuted by the CCP. For ordinary citizens, farmers, and people out of work, I mention the corruption of the CCP officials and how the politicians and police officers partner with criminals. With the price of goods rising and people suffering, it is a good time to let people know about Falun Dafa, the compassion of Master and why withdrawal from the CCP is so important. I then ask people to recite, "Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good," and make the "three withdrawals." Generally, they accept what I tell them.

Over the years, I've followed Master's teachings in my life. I've treated all events, good or bad, as opportunities to validate the Fa. Whomever I meet, I know that he was someone that Master wanted me to save. Many people have learned the truth and withdrawn from the CCP. I am truly happy to see that the sentient beings are becoming aware. I am grateful for Master's guidance.

Lessons Learned

1. The prerequisites for advising people to make the "three withdrawals" are to thoroughly study the Fa and to improve oneself.

As the Fa-rectification moves forward, saving sentient beings has become a pressing matter. During the day, I go out to validate the Fa and use the evening, before and after dinner, to study the Fa and articles on the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. Sometimes I recite the Fa while traveling. To make sure that my mind is on the Fa while reading or reciting, whenever I read a line, then try to recall the next line. Memorizing the Fa helps to provide a timely solution, whenever I encounter a problem.

2. Have faith in the Fa and Master, and hold righteous thoughts.

Master said,

"However strong the righteous thoughts are, that's how great the power is." ("Also in a Few Words" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

Every time I validate the Fa, I send righteous thoughts to clean out the dark minions, evil ghosts, the wicked communist spirit, and anything else blocking me from saving sentient beings. When I see a prospect, I send forth righteous thoughts again to clear any blockage he might have to accepting the facts. This approach is effective in spreading the facts and recommending the "three withdrawals."

Whenever I encounter an unusual situation, I remember that I am validating the Fa, and Master won't let me down. Actually, Master is with me. Other times, I recite the Fa, and danger passes me by. One time while I was passing out information written on currency, a fellow shouted at me saying "You are spreading Falun Gong. Do you want to go to jail?" I immediately recited, "The Fa rectifies the Cosmos; the Evil is completely eliminated." I was thinking that he would not want to harm me, because I was doing a most righteous thing. I told him, "Look, this is what I wrote on the bill, 'Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.'" He said, "Don't read it. Are you looking for trouble?" as he walked away. I gave the bill to a store owner saying to him, "It is good fortune for you to receive this bill. Blessings will come if you pass it on to others." The owner was happy to receive the bill. My view is that as long as our minds are filled with the Fa, and we have the desire to save sentient beings, Master will look after us.

3. When there is a problem, look inward.

When there is a problem in my daily life, or some difficulty in spreading the facts, I will look inward. The goal is to locate the attachment that caused this problem, then eliminate it.

Master said,

"I can tell you that every situation that occurs during the course of cultivation is related to you, so you have to cultivate." ("Lecture at the First Conference in North America")

There was a period when I had several minor things to take care of. For example, my wife was sick, my son had to repair his house, there was a funeral or a birthday party to attend, etc. I did not realize at the time that they were interfering with my cultivation. Then, I understood that I had an attachment that caused all of these distractions. Finally, after looking inward, I found that it was an emotion that I needed to remove. I then saw each event as an opportunity to spread the Fa, so I told the nurse about Dafa when my wife was in the hospital, talked to the workers when my son was repairing his house, and informed my relatives when they held an event. Instead of receiving interference from the old forces, I gained opportunities to save sentient beings.

Actually I am not a diligent practitioner. I am far from meeting Master's expectations. There are many attachments yet to be removed. I have a strong tendency to look for an easy way out and can't get myself to join the group exercises every morning. I mention my attachments for the purpose of removing them some day. I firmly believe that through practice, I can gradually eliminate all of my attachments.