The Power of Compassion

We are starting to sell tickets for the 2008/2009 season of Divine Performing Arts shows. I came to New York last year to help in the ticket sales and worked hard at it, just as I had in Taiwan. I handed out truth-clarifying materials about Falun Gong and the persecution, the Divine Performing Arts shows, and NTDTV's competition series to people who sat next to me on the subway.

Unfortunately I became less industrious, and less diligent as time went by and I completely stopped in the middle of this year, while still in New York. Sometimes I asked myself, "What happened?" and "Why did I suddenly stop playing a part in this effort?" After looking within, I realized that it was the attachment of fear that brought me to this standstill.

One day I read a story on the Zhengjian Website: "Looking for Master." The writer told us about Master. Master had spoken to someone for eight hours on a train in order to offer salvation to him. How compassionate Master was! I felt deep remorse.

I understood that I lacked compassion. If I put saving sentient beings as my top priority, I would not fear anything. I would not feel that I might be embarrassed if people refused the materials.

One day on the subway, a person who looked like someone from South America sat next to me. Looking at his clothing, I didn't think he would be interested in Divine Performing Arts. Then, I remembered that I should not judge a person by his clothes and I decided to hand him a flier. As I hadn't handed out any materials on the subway for a long time, this little task seemed as hard as the first time I made truth-clarification phone calls to China. I reminded myself that my fear was my lack of compassion for saving sentient beings. When I finally overcame my fear, my compassion arose and I said "hello" and gave to him my first 2009 show flier. The man read the flier carefully. I think Master (a term of respect given to the founder of Falun Gong, Mr. Li Hongzhi) was encouraging me. I then showed him the Divine Performing Arts photo book. He was fascinated by the beautiful pictures and asked for ticket purchase information before getting off the subway. As my English is not very good, I asked him to call the ticket hotline.

Perhaps, this year one more person will see the Divine Performing Arts show from this simple "hello" and our conversation. I know Master has been encouraging me. I am truly grateful to Master.

I hope other practitioners who hesitate in getting involved in the ticket sales may find that they simply lack compassion. By realizing their shortcomings, they will defeat their fear and play a part in this Fa-rectification effort!