(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, in 1997. Soon after I took up the practice, all my illnesses were gone. For the past two decades, I have held myself to the standards of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and tried to always be considerate of others. Whenever a conflict arose, I first looked for my own shortcomings instead of pointing fingers. Through constantly improving myself, I became kind and selfless and am able to stay calm in most situations.
I would like to share a few stories of guards and inmates learning the truth about Dafa, when I was imprisoned, and choosing to separate from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). By doing so, they’ve secured a bright future for themselves and received blessings.
“All Falun Dafa Practitioners Are Kind”
The Communist regime in China banned Falun Dafa in 1999 and launched a full-on persecution against its practitioners. I was arrested and sentenced to one year in prison for my faith. While imprisoned, I rejected rules and regulations intended for criminals as I had not broken any law and was innocent. I was not allowed to use the toilets or sink, nor allowed to talk to anyone. My every move was reported to the prison guards. As a Falun Dafa practitioner, I tried to always be kind and always considered others first regardless of how badly I was treated.
The prison guard called me to her office one day. As soon as I set foot in her office, she asked, “Why didn’t you ask for permission before entering; didn’t your team lead teach you the prison rules?” I said I was not told I needed permission to enter. She was infuriated and said she was going to punish my team lead.
I asked her not to punish my team lead. Then I explained that I wouldn't do it anyway, even if told, because the rules should not apply to Dafa practitioners. Surprisingly, she didn’t become angrier, instead laughed, and said, “All Falun Dafa practitioners are kind.” The guard changed her attitude since that incident and even my team lead became kinder to me.
I didn’t let the fact that I was held in the harsh environment of a prison affect me. My only wish was to let all predestined beings there know that Dafa is good. I was always upbeat, and got up early every morning to do my exercises. The guard told me, “I hope you don’t wake others when doing the exercises.” I told her, “Don’t worry, it won’t wake anyone nor affect them, instead it will benefit them.” The guard smiled.
The guards knew that Dafa practitioners are good people and treated us with kindness. They have chosen a bright future for themselves.
“I Will Not Commit Wrongdoing Again After Being Released. I Will Be a Good Person.”
An inmate who had committed auto theft was assigned to our cell. She was nearly done serving her six-month term and was soon to be released. I tried to talk to her about Dafa, but she wouldn’t listen and didn’t believe anything I said. Deceived by the CCP’s lies, she even said some disrespectful things. When I talked to other people about Dafa, she told them not to listen to me. Concerned for her future, I told her that Falun Dafa is the Buddha Fa and what she was doing would cause harm to herself, but she didn’t believe it. Soon she was released.
She was back in less than three months. She was embarrassed to see me so I greeted her first. When I asked her what happened, she said this time she was charged for something she had done a long time ago. I knew the real reason why she was back—she was predestined to be saved. I was going to get through to her and let her know that Dafa is here to save people.
Things were rough for her the first few days. She couldn’t afford to buy daily necessities and the other inmates looked down on her because she was back. I bought her toilet paper and toothpaste from the store and she was clearly grateful. She told me, “You were right. I have been having really bad luck. This time I’m behind bars for something I did years ago. Nobody could possibly know about it. How did the police find out?”
I told her, “Heaven is watching everything that we do. Dafa can save you but you didn’t believe it and said some disrespectful things. You’ve committed a crime against Dafa. Think about it—how could you have any good fortune?” She didn’t say anything and for the next few days, she seemed to be deep in thought and looked worried. I comforted her and told her not to worry. I taught her to sincerely recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” She agreed.
I told her that Falun Dafa teaches people to be kind. The CCP’s ruthless persecution of Falun Dafa is the greatest injustice. All the slanderous claims, be it self-immolation or murder, were fabricated to frame Falun Dafa. The CCP will receive karmic retribution for its crimes against the righteous Fa. The only way not to be implicated is to separate oneself from the Party. She took everything to heart and agreed to quit the Party and its youth organizations. She became a completely different person in just a few days. She was kind and helpful to others.
Two investigators paid her a visit and she seemed worried afterward. I asked her how it went. She said, “I might get sentenced to more than two years.” She told me she had a lot on her mind, mostly about her family and her child. “Don’t worry,” I told her. “Recite ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,’ whenever you have time. Repent sincerely to Dafa's Master. Admit that you were wrong to be disrespectful to Dafa before and that you won’t do it again. Promise that you will be a good person from now on.” She agreed.
Her trial went well and she was happy to report, “You were so right. I have to thank you.” I told her to thank Master. She said, “Thank you, Master.” It turned out, she was only sentenced to six months. I was so happy for her. She said with all seriousness, “I will not commit wrongdoing again after being released. I will be a good person.”
Because her heart was pure, she received blessings and will have a bright future.
From Being Depressed to a Renewed Life
I was transferred to another cell after six months. There was an inmate who suffered from depression. She was monitored round the clock because of her suicidal tendencies. She seemed to be in her 30’s and had large hollow sad eyes. The other inmates were not allowed to talk to her so she sat in the corner by herself, helpless. “Poor thing,” I thought, watching her being tormented by such mental anguish.
I had a chance to talk to her one day during recreation. I told her that she could ask me if she needed anything. She looked me straight in the eye without the slightest reaction. She struggled to walk away so I gave her a hand, “Don’t be scared. I cultivate Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I am a good person.” Maybe the sound of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” resonated with her and woke up her true nature, all of a sudden she became engaged and nodded to me.
Since then, I talked to her whenever possible. As we developed mutual trust and respect, she gradually opened up to me. I learned that she was 36 years old and has a college degree. She used to run a small business, teaching after-school classes. Her husband had an affair. He often started fights with her and demanded a divorce. To save her marriage, she gave her husband all her money, including her school funds.
Her husband, however, didn’t change his ways. He stayed out at night and rarely came home. She fell into a depression and was unable to teach. But she couldn’t refund the tuition to her students’ families because all the money went to her husband. A wave of lawsuits and complaints were filed against her and this sent her deeper into depression. She started having suicidal thoughts.
She called the police to turn herself in one day and took a large quantity of sleeping pills. Luckily, her mom rushed her to the hospital and she was saved. After being discharged, she was arrested and charged for embezzlement. Her mom spent a lot of money and tried all her connections to get her out but to no avail.
I talked to her everyday and tried to help her. I told her stories of traditional culture to encourage her. I explained to her that committing suicide is killing, and is a crime. She asked me why I practice Falun Dafa. I told her because Falun Dafa teaches people to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and be good people. It also does wonders in helping people heal and keep fit. I told her the CCP launched the persecution because communism is all about deceit, hatred, and violence, and is the polar opposite of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The CCP does not tolerate good people or kindness.
She listened attentively. I could tell she thought deeply about what I said. I taught her to recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I told her by reciting these phrases every day, she would soon be better. I also told her why it is important to separate from the CCP and its youth organizations. She readily agreed to both.
She became better by the day and grew stronger and stronger. She started to smile and became more talkative. When I quietly recited the Fa one day, she saw me mumbling and came over to ask what I was doing. I told her I was reciting the Fa. She was excited, “Could you teach me? I want to learn and recite the Fa too.” I taught her Master’s poems and she learned fast. When I taught her the poem “An Upright Person” from Hong Yin, she thought about it for a long time and said, “Master is so right. I ended up here because of my ‘emotions.’”
I taught her all the Fa I had memorized and recited the Fa with her every day. After learning a new poem or a paragraph of the scripture, she recited it to me to check whether she got it correct. As she memorized more and more Fa, her mental and physical health improved in leaps and bounds. She no longer needed others to take care of her and instead started helping others. She was considerate and always happy. She completely came out of depression.
When my term was about to end six months later, she felt bittersweet—happy for me, but not wanting me to leave. I saw right through her, “Don’t worry. Master will watch over you.” She said, “I thought about killing myself every day before I met you. I didn’t want to live. It was a divine miracle that you came to save me.” I told her it was Master who saved her. She said, “Thank you, Master.” I was happy to see her so confident and cheerful.
She got through a great tribulation with the guidance of Dafa. No longer suffering from depression and feeling suicidal, her life is renewed thanks to the mighty virtue of Dafa.
Everyone's true nature is kind, but unfortunately some people have lost touch with it. As today’s society is filled with immoral and evil things, it is hard to always do the right thing. People harm others and harm themselves without realizing it. If one can reflect upon one’s own actions when going through a tribulation, truly repent and change their ways, they will have the opportunity to choose a bright future.
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