The 20 finalists take a last bow on stage.
News and Events Around the World
Facts of the Persecution
Voices of Justice
Open Forum
Health Benefits
Practitioners Exchange Insights and Experiences
People's Hearts Determine Their Futures
Traditional Art and Culture
Solemn Declarations
(Clearwisdom.net) The International Chinese Vocal Competition, held in New York City's Kaufman Hall, concluded on the afternoon of October 17, 2007. Vocalists from around the world competed, with twenty finalists receiving the top awards. The competition attracted many fans, happy to see this elite gathering of Chinese vocalists from around the world, promoting Traditional Chinese culture.
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NTDTV President Zhong Li said, "NTDTV gathered great talents from around the world through holding the competition. We want to promote traditional culture in the form of art. At this special historic moment, all the artists participating in this competition have made a special historical contribution to promoting traditional Chinese culture."
Judges' Committee Chairman Guan Guimin, said that all the contestants were outstanding, but the awards were limited. He joked, "If I were the boss of a big company, I'd give an award to each contestant."
One of the judges, Ms. Han Suqiu, said that the high level of the contestants exceeded her expectations. She said that she was very nervous as a judge during the three days, but she enjoyed it and also appreciated the high caliber vocal performances.
Ms. Han taught in the Vocal Music Department of China's Central University for Nationalities for many years, and had been a judge for many singing competitions. She told the contestants that it is understandable that genuine singers would keep "moving forward" on the path of art. But they should keep moving forward without having a desire to obtain something; doing this, they will attain the highest level in the sacred palace of vocal music. She also pointed out that only by walking a path of "pure authenticity, pure goodness and pure beauty," can one achieve this goal.
The competition fosters the promotion of traditional Chinese culture
Gold award winner in the Bel Canto Women's Division Guo Jinhui from Canada said that she took part in the competition with a peaceful mind. Winning the award was a surprise to her. She was very pleased and also honored. She expressed her gratitude to NTDTV for providing her with such a platform from which to benefit and learn. She also said that the mission through the competition is to promote authentic art of "pure authenticity, pure goodness and pure beauty." After the competition, she will continue to promote authentic art.
Gold award winner in the Bel Canto Men's Division, Mo Li, from the United States, said that there were many talented artists in the competition, and their performances were remarkable. He thought his advantage in winning the award may be due to his Chinese. He said, "I came from mainland China, and I speak Chinese. When I came to the United States, I put much effort into learning foreign languages. Due to this background and my experience, I may have some advantages in using the Bel Canto method to interpret Chinese songs."
He thought that there would be many things for him to do in the future. He should make much effort in promoting Chinese culture on the international stage. The vocal competition is a good start.
Silver award winner in the Bel Canto Women's Division, Shi Yiqiao from Taiwan, said that it is very important for all Chinese artists to sing Chinese songs. Winning the award is actually a driving force for her, urging her to pay more attention to her own culture, and singing Chinese songs.
Silver award winner in the Bel Canto Men's Division, Lin Jianji from Taiwan, said that the Bel Canto style is simple and powerful,expressive and direct, and can make Chinese songs more expressive.
Voice is a channel directly communicating with Gods
Silver award winner in the Bel Canto Male Division, Lin Jianji from Taiwan, said that early western songs were written mainly for praising gods, and dedicated to the pursuit of ultimate beauty and perfection. This history is also applicable in Oriental culture. Voice is a channel that directly communicates with gods. Therefore, compared to Oriental art, westerners are more direct in expressing their feelings, but there is also an element of being reserved in western songs.
He said, "It is very important that people should have the experience of cultivating themselves to have a refined nature. It is not true that a singer is able to interpret songs based only on his vocal techniques."
The audience compliments the competition's high caliber
Arthur Han, a music lover who has done some research in music theory, said in an interview after the competition that he came the day before to see the semifinal, and the singing was still lingering in his mind after the competition when he returned home. These contestants combined the essence of both Eastern and Western arts. They could sing soprano, brilliant and beautiful, and also could sing graceful and moving folk songs. They had a good mastery of clear articulation and breathing. It was very comfortable to listen to.
Mr. Xu, a real estate businessman, and a veteran music lover, said that singing methods are formed based on the characteristics of language. In the Chinese language, there are four tones, containing melody in music, and having a different form of expression than other languages. The Bel Canto method can expand the range of the singers' voice, improve their musical expressive force, but when using the Bel Canto method to sing Chinese songs, there is a problem and difficulty in achieving clear articulation.
Music records history, displays Chinese culture
Pianist Lin Xinwen said that the contestants had high-level skills, and the competition was intense. It reflected the first-class standard of talented Chinese vocalists. She said that westerners actually like Chinese songs very much, but the Chinese vocalists do not have an opportunity and occasion to display them. The competition has made a contribution to Chinese vocal music.
She believes that music records history. The history of the Chinese nation is very long. Vocal music education is conducive to promoting authentic Chinese culture, and will lead to the development of authentic vocal music.
Professor Gao Weiliang, a famous vocalist in New York, said that NTDTV's vocal competition was very successful. There were so many high-level vocal talents from around the world participating. It plays an important role in promoting the culture of vocal music.
At the press conference held on the evening of October 16, the judges emphasized that the singers' level in Chinese songs played an important role in granting awards, because the mission of the competition is to promote authentic Chinese culture. Lan Yeliu said the competition had a strict standard; if the contestants were unable to portray the best of their standard, some awards may remain vacant.
The judges of the competition included renowned Chinese tenor Guan Guimin, Lan Yeliu, holder of a masters degree in vocal music at Tokyo University, who once won the silver award in the Puccini International Vocal Competition, Chen Rutang, president of the former Central Symphony Orchestra of China, and conductor of the Divine Performing Arts Orchestra, Yang Jiansheng, a world famous alto, veteran vocal music professor Han Suqiu and famous singers Jiang Min and Bai Xue.
NTDTV president Zhong Li said, "This is the first vocal competition. It will be held annually in future. We hope everybody will come to join next year."
The following is the list of award winners:
Folk Singing Women's Division:
Gold award: vacant
Silver award: vacant
Bronze award: Contestant No. 86 Zhang Lichen
Honorable mention award: Contestant No. 98 Dong San
Folk Singing Men's Division:
Gold award: vacant
Silver award: Contestant No. 85 Ci Gong
Bronze award: vacant
Bel Canto Women's Division:
Gold award: Contestant No. 25 Guo Jinhui
Silver award: Contestant No. 72 Shi Yiqiao
Bronze awards: Contestant No. 14 Wang Xin, and contestant No. 33 Li Yu
Honorable mention awards: Contestant No. 13 Lin Mengjun, contestant No. 6 Fenni Chen, contestant No. 95 Zhang Jiahui, contestant No. 23 Chen Xinqin, contestant No. 64 Huang Biru and contestant No. 77 Li Yunxue.
Bel Canto Men's Division:
Gold award: Contestant No. 18 Mo Li
Silver award: Contestant No. 84 Lin Jianji
Bronze awards: Contestant No. 2 Li Yong, and contestant No. 91 Han Dawei
Honorable mention awards: Contestant No. 69 Li Wenzhi, contestant No. 76 Qu Yue, and contestant No. 63 Tang Fakai.
(Clearwisdom.net) Matthew Jaskiewicz graduated from the Conducting Department of Poland's Warsaw Academy of Music. He has been conducting choirs and orchestras in Canada for over 25 years. Mr. Jaskiewicz told an NTDTV reporter that he believes it is extremely important for NTDTV to hold the first of its kind International Chinese Vocal Competition. He also emphasized that a pure and authentic music competition should not have any communist ideological influence.
Matthew Jaskiewicz is the director of the well-known Oakham House Choir of Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. He pointed out that true traditional classical music has suffered in recent times and that classical music and people who perform classical music, including professional musicians, are facing difficult times. He greatly appreciated NTDTV's efforts to organize the International Chinese Vocal Competition to introduce this classical music to the younger generations. He also highly recommended that his colleagues and friends enter the NTDTV Chinese Vocal Music Competition.
"This is why I find your competition extremely important, because you not only introduce classical music to children, you also introduce your Chinese music to our Western musicians." He believes that, unfortunately, Western musicians know very little about Chinese music. "So I find this competition very useful."
Matthew Jaskiewicz analyzed how the Communist dictatorship has crushed true music and the arts in general: "I know very well that ideology can suppress the arts." He also pointed out that the biggest masterpieces of music are basically sacred music, but he and his group were absolutely forbidden to perform in churches in Communist Poland. "The number of those religious pieces of works was strictly limited...that was like working with your hands tied."
Matthew Jaskiewicz also mentioned that, because of the isolation of Communist Poland, they did not have contact with musicians in western Europe. "So there were many, many things making music composition in Poland in those days very difficult. I strongly believe that there is no Communist ideology influence in your competition. It is pure music with no politics."
Mr. Jaskiewicz believes that music is the best way to communicate among communities. He has been actively involved in the local Polish, Jewish, and Chinese music communities. He is also the conductor of the Angel Choir of Toronto. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of Poland by the Polish president for his great promotion of Polish culture abroad.
(Clearwisdom.net) (Note: Some of the names below are translated based on Chinese Pinyin due to lack of original English names.)
NTDTV hosted the first International Chinese Vocal Competition from October 15 to 17, 2007 in Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York. More than one hundred professional vocalists from over twenty countries and regions applied for entrance into the competition. This competition provides a platform for professional and amateur vocalists to learn from each other and improve themselves. It is also a grand cultural event to restore and promote the orthodox vocal arts of the East and the West. It brings beauty, hope and a bright future to humankind.
NTDTV's Vocal Competition Encourages Chinese People to Be Involved in Vocal Arts
Ch'ing-Chi Sun, Chairperson of the Association of Vocal Artists of the Republic of China, said that NTDTV hosted the competition to encourage Chinese people to participate in vocal events and to better their understanding of the vocal arts. He has high expectations for the competition and expressed his wish for the success of the competition. He said: "It is great news for Chinese communities around the world to learn that NTDTV will host the Vocal Competition this year. It can encourage the participation of Chinese people in the vocal arts. They are certainly happy to see it taking place. I hope and expect it to be a great success."
Ch'ing-Chi Sun, Chairperson of the Association of Vocal Artists of the Republic of China
Mr. Sun said that music can express deep emotions and vocal music can be the most moving.
Mr. Sun said that basically there are three categories in vocal music: Eastern and Western classical songs, folk songs and opera. He said that vocal music originated from people's belief in God.
Mr. Sun also said that the most essential apsect for a vocalist to interpret a work is the expression of emotions. He believes vocal music has profound meaning, mainly because the lyrics are composed from poetry.
The Association of Vocal Artists of the Republic of China was established in 1992 and includes a group of enthusiastic vocal artists. They hope to promote the vocal arts, advance the standard of vocal education, and also promote modern vocal works and international exchange. They hope that the culture of Taiwanese music will flourish through their efforts.
Vocal Competition Helps to Restore Purity of Culture
Vocalist Wu Yinjing (吴垠暻), Professor from Sejong University, South Korea, graduated from the Vocal Music Department of Seoul National University and obtained a Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a PhD from Stony Brook University (SUNY). Ms. Wu played many roles in opera performances. She is a well-known vocalist in Korea.
Professor Wu from Sejong University
Professor Wu said that the music that touches people's hearts comes from the joint efforts of composers, experienced musicians and devoted audience members. It is important that the audience appreciate the music with a pure heart and not merely listen with a critical mind.
Professor Wu learned of the International Chinese Vocal Competition a while ago and expressed her congratulations to the opening ceremony. She said: "It is a great thing to hold such a competition to nourish vocalists."
She hopes that NTDTV's Vocal Competition can play a pioneering role to restore the purity of the art amidst the current circumstances of many cultures losing their purity.
Vocal Competition Presents the Beauty of Chinese Culture on the World's Stage
Tenor Hung-Chang Wu, Director of Kaohsiung City Chinese Orchestra, praised the first International Chinese Vocal Competition and said that it was a good opportunity to introduce the beauty of Chinese culture to the world through vocal arts.
Tenor Hung-Chang Wu, Director of Kaohsiung City Chinese Orchestra
Mr. Wu studied vocal music in Italy. He has gained reputation locally and internationally for his rare oriental, deep and full voice. He was praised as the "Charismatic Tenor." He said that true art would display the spiritual realm of truth, compassion and beauty. Nourished by such profound music, he said he could deal with everything he came across with compassion and singing made him cherish all lives more.
Mr. Wu believes that the NTDTV Chinese Vocal Competition is a good opportunity to unite Chinese singers and to present Chinese culture to the world through folk singing and Bel Canto.
Mr. Wu returned to Taiwan after he completed his studies in Italy in 1991. He established the Taiwan Choir in 1992. Since February 2004, he has been Director of Kaohsiung City Chinese Orchestra. In September 2005, the Orchestra performed at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, and he performed as Tenor and enjoyed great success. It was the first professional Chinese orchestra to play at Lincoln Center.
The Vocal Competition Provides a Platform for International Exchange
David Ke (柯大卫), a famous Tenor in Hong Kong, was born in Penang, Malaysia. He won first prize at the Australian Mary Ann M. Vocal Competition. At present he is a vocal professor teaching at an art institute in Hong Kong. He welcomed NTDTV's Vocal Competition and appreciated the opportunities it provided for vocalists to have a platform for international exchange.
David Ke
David Ke said, "The Vocal Competition is a good beginning. We always talk about globalization. Now, there is the Internet. Once something is put on the Internet, anyone, anywhere can see it. I hope many people come to attend this International Chinese Competition and bring with them different songs and share different experiences. The problem we have is that there are few vocal competitions held by Chinese. NTDTV initiated the competition and provides a good opportunity for others."
First International Chinese Vocal Competition Promotes Orthodox Vocal Singing
He-Shun Yao, professor from National Taipei University of Education and well-known baritone, graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Germany and Austria. At a press conference for a concert hosted by the National Taipei University of Education, he encouraged singers to attend the first International Chinese Vocal Competition. He hopes Taiwanese folk songs can be presented to the world stage by way of singing in Bel Canto. More importantly, he said, this competition promotes orthodox vocal singing.
He-Shun Yao
Mr. Yao teaches Bel Canto at National Taipei University of Education and is also a medical consultant on therapeutic music at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.
Enjoy the Grand Event and Promote the Pure Orthodox Culture
NTDTV devotes itself to the restoration of traditional Chinese culture. Starting in March of next year, it will introduce a series of international Chinese competitions. This cultural renaissance includes the restoration of the cultural connotation of compassion and the cultural expression of pure beauty. It will restore the moral belief and moral standard that traditional Chinese culture carries, including respecting Heaven, cultivating virtue, and cherishing the virtues of benevolence, courtesy, wisdom and belief. It also promotes the display of Chinese culture with the beautiful customs including attire, cuisine, dance, vocal music, instrumental music, painting and photography.
NTDTV hopes that these various competitions attract artists with different backgrounds and from different regions, and also audiences from different countries who have the wish to promote pure, orthodox culture. It hopes to provide them platforms for discussion and sharing of their experiences and specialities and to work together to make these competitions grand events.
(Clearwisdom.net) The 21st Brookline Garden Fair was held in Brookline, Massachusetts on October 14, 2007. Falun Gong practitioners set up a booth at the fair, and attracted many people as they demonstrated the exercises and made paper lotus flowers. They introduced Falun Gong to the local residents and exposed the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
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A Russian man and his son came to the booth, and expressed deep interest in a DVD of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, as they asked many questions about its contents. Practitioners described the Falun Gong exercises, the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong, and further introduced the Nine Commentaries which exposed the evil crimes committed by the CCP. The man was very surprised, and said he had only known of the persecution of Russian people committed by the Russian communists, but did not know that the CCP's persecution of compassionate Chinese people was even more brutal. He wanted to bring the Nine Commentaries home, to view with friends and relatives.
The practitioners practiced the exercises and residents showed much interest in the group of peaceful practitioners. People asked many questions regarding the health benefits of Falun Gong, how to obtain the exercise music, and the reason behind the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. One lady had thought that the persecution in China had stopped, but learned from practitioners at the fair that the persecution was still going on and that we should work together to stop it. Two nuns learned the facts about Falun Gong and said they wanted to learn the exercises. They asked for the location of the nearest practice site.
A western lady who could read and understand Chinese asked for Chinese materials and VCDs in order to learn more about the true facts. Whether young or old, male or female, people came to the booth to learn how to fold paper lotus flowers, which represent the spirit of cultivators and rise from the mud without contamination. Some learned as whole families, some parents followed as their children participated, and others watched from the side. One lady said that she agreed very much with the practitioners' use of this most simple and traditional craft to inspire people. Practitioners thus took these opportunities to spread the facts about Falun Gong.
(Clearwisdom.net) On August 14, 2007, the Dalian police arrested more than 30 Falun Gong practitioners at their homes. Their only crime: believing in "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance."
Even now, 47 days later, family members of these practitioners--fathers and mothers, sons and daughters--are still hoping that their loved ones will return home safely. Not too many know about how they have suffered because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has covered up crimes committed by the police. We would like to tell of the plight of Ms. Wang Yanchun and her family in hopes that the story reveals how the persecution has harmed this family and others, and what kind of damage it has brought to Chinese society.
Ms. Wang Yanchun is a manager at the Kanglai International Freight Company in Dalian. At home she is a wonderful mother, kind and caring. Her daughter Pingping is 25 years old. Pingping has a pleasant personality and is active and polite. Following college graduation she worked hard to become a medical professional. Mother and daughter lived together. Ms. Wang and Pingping were out in their car on August 14, 2007, on an errand, and suddenly a stranger nabbed them and took them to the Xiushui Street Police Station, where both were interrogated. A police officer even poured cold water on Pingping and slapped her face. Another policeman said, "We are a CCP violence machine."
Officials from the Navy Square Station searched Wang Yanchun's home and place of business. Her sisters, Chunrong and Chunying, were also arrested. The officials even unlawfully closed Chunrong's employer, the Xincheng Accounting Firm. All this happened in one day, like a lightening bolt from a clear sky.
Pingping was later released and went home. Her mother was still locked up in Dalian Detention Center, and the two aunts were sent to Masanjia Forced Labor Camp.
The police continued to harass Pingping at home. Pingping had lost her father, and now her mother was in jail. She is longing for support from good people. She knows clearly that belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is not wrong. She witnessed the miracle of Falun Gong in her mother, and she firmly believes that the persecution will soon be over. Good people will have happy futures.
Before she practiced Falun Gong, Wang Yanchun suffered from many years of poor health. She had neurasthenia gravis, insomnia, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. Pingping was literally brought up by her father who was always busy at work and home. After Wang Yanchun went into business, the stress and workload took a toll on her health, and she had constant mood swings. She spent thousands of yuan every month on nutritional supplements and medicines, and bought many therapy devices, but her health did not improve. When Pingping was in high school, her mother was always traveling and had no time for her. Gradually, their interpersonal communications broke down. Pingping did not understand her mother and disliked her way of dealing with Pingping. She and her mother were involved in a prolonged "cold war." Wang Yanchun became profoundly depressed and could not sleep well. She often told others, "I am willing to trade a good night of sleep for everything I have."
Wang Yanchun had an opportunity one day in 1999 to read the book Zhuan Falun. The day after she finished reading the book, she slept soundly without the aid of sleeping pills. Soon she became a Falun Gong practitioner. After that, her rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease disappeared. In addition, she also changed her competitive business practices. She began to pay more attention to integrity and quality of service. She became a better wife and mother, and began to do many chores she had never done before.
Another pleasant surprise for Pingping was that her mother began to listen and talk to her. Her mother also told Pingping the principles contained in Zhuan Falun and how to become a good person by following "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." Pingping initially disagreed with her mother's viewpoints but was eventually completely convinced. She learned many new principles such as first looking for your own fault when a conflict occurs, considering other's feelings before taking any action, and by putting other's interests first, you will be friends forever. Pingping's perspective on life also changed. She no longer had a short temper and became more open. She was more optimistic and cared for her parents. After many years of tension in their lives, this family finally became happy, and their lives were filled with laughter. People really admired them.
But after the CCP started to persecute Falun Gong on July 20, 1999, a shadow of terror overtook the family. Wang Yanchun decided to go into exile to avoid persecution. To find her whereabouts, the police frequently went to her home to press for information, sometimes even in the middle of the night. The father had to deal with police harassment and had to take care of Pingping's college preparation. His health deteriorated under this huge stress, and he rapidly lost weight.
Police kept daily tabs on Pingping during her college examination days. Ms. Wang Yanchun secretly encouraged Pingping all the time, and finally Pingping succeeded and was accepted into college. Pingping heard something horrible at school one day. After going missing for three days, her dad was sent to a hospital. She took a train to visit him. Pingping saw many worried relatives at the hospital. She also saw several undercover police officers waiting for her mom. Pingping did not know how her father could have gotten lost for three days, whom he met, and what treatment he had to endure. Relatives reported the missing man to the police, but the police showed no concern, asking instead where Wang Yanchun was. Pingping was puzzled. How could they do this? Do they not have wives and children? Why don't they have any sympathy? How could they harm the kindest people?
Her father remained in coma in the hospital until he died. Pingping cried and called out to him, but her father could no long answer her. Soon after that, the police arrested Wang Yanchun and sentenced her to a prison term.
Pingping's grandmother was hit so hard by her son's death and daughter-in-law's jail term that she became paralyzed. Soon, her grandfather also passed away. Pingping found the harsh reality hard to accept. A happy family was turned upside down.
After these incidents, Pingping went to Shenyang City Dabei Prison to visit her mom. When her mother appeared, Pingping was surprised. A total stranger seemed to face her, wearing a dirty uniform, her hair short and messy, with a skinny face and a body covered in bruises. She could not connect this woman with her once beautiful, elegant and well-dressed mother. Pingping fought back tears and wondered how her mother had suffered in the hell-like prison. The tall wall topped with barbed wire that separated her mother from freedom has become a painful memory for Pingping. She was willing to endure the pain for her mother.
Wang Yanchun finally returned home before the 2004 New Year. Right after she got home, she discovered that it had been broken into. Neighbors said that many "robbers" came the night before and searched the home. After the neighbors reported this to the police, the only thing the police asked was where Wang Yanchun was. To avoid another arrest, Wang Yanchun left home again. Mother and daughter finally could live together in a rental home following Pingping's college graduation. But on August 14, 2007, Ms. Wang was arrested again. Pingping had to endure another painful nightmare.
Falun Gong gives people health and happiness. It is such a wonderful practice that benefits individuals and society. But the brutal persecution has inflicted huge pain on good people and their families. "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" are attacked. "Deception, evil and violence" has become the popular practice. Police can arrest kind people without due cause. The courts can sentence people without legal procedures.
These are disasters affecting everyone. The persecution was not supposed to happen. The lies perpetrated by the evildoers and have also fooled the police officers and judges. We hope they might also see the truth and stop harming others and themselves as well. We should combine our efforts based on justice and conscience, and together end the persecution as soon as possible. Together, we are expecting a new and bright future.
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 20, 2007, when Ms. Li Xiaoling, 34, clarified the truth about Falun Gong to security officers in a Gaoping City government building, she was reported to the authorities and consequently arrested. Personnel from the 610 Office, including Yang Changchun and Tian Junying, carried out the illegal arrest and searched her home.
On September 19, 2007, Ms. Li Xiaoling was secretly sentenced to four years in prison. However, her family was not notified. When her family became aware of Li Xiaoling's situation, they immediately tried to appeal her case. Yang Changchun (from the 610 Office) threatened to prolong Xiaoling's imprisonment if her family followed through with the appeal.
Li Xiaoling is now detained in Gaoping City Detention Center and is not allowed visits from her family.
Head of Gaoping City Detention Center: Zhang Kunwu
Gaoping City deputy administration chairman: Ming Zhenguo
Gaoping City 610 Officer: Chen Yiping
Yang Changchun leads a team of the National Security Department and plays a major role in the persecution of Falun Gong. Tian Junying, Yang's assistant follows his orders closely and actively participates in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners.
During a meeting held in Gaoping City on September 9, 1998, Yang Changchun ordered several thugs to rob Falun Gong practitioners of their truth-clarification materials. Yang Changchun began to arrest and sentence Dafa practitioners to prison when Jiang Zemin's regime and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started the persecution on July 20, 1999.
It has been verified that Yang Changchun and Tian Junying directly sentenced four practitioners to forced labor camps and two to prison, and they detained four other practitioners. They forced employers to fire Dafa practitioners from their jobs and illegally seized practitioners' property. Yang Changchun uses surveillance, harassment, and lies to instigate conflict between Falun Gong practitioners and their families.
Contact Information:
Yang Changchun: 86-13303563406 (Cell), 86-356-5222408 (Office)
Address: No. 2 of 7th row in Xiaokang North District, Gaoping Street.
Tian Junying: 86-13834321091 (Cell)
(Clearwisdom.net) Practitioner Ms. Zhang Yuxia lives in the No. 292 New Community of Shanghai Normal University on 70th Avenue, Guilin Road, the Xuhui District, Shanghai City. Since September 29, 2007, she has been illegally tracked and monitored 24 hours a day.
Ms. Zhang Yuxia's husband, Mr. Guo Shenghuan, is an instructor in the Math and Science Institute of Shanghai Normal University. On the morning of January 25, 2007, he was taken into custody on his way to work. Mr. Guo is currently being illegally detained in Xuhui District Detention Center.
After Mr. Guo Shenghuan was taken into custody, his father suffered a serious mental attack. As a result, the father became delirious and passed away on May 19, 2007. Mr. Guo was not allowed to see his father even one last time. The authorities intercepted a letter to Mr. Guo from his family, so even now, Mr. Guo Shenghuan does not know about his father's death. As for Ms. Zhang Yuxia's father, after his son-in-law was taken into custody, he was filled with worry and pain. In June 2007, he had a brain hemorrhage and could no longer speak normally. Ms. Zhang Yuxia takes care of two children, one five-year-old and one three-year-old, and she does not have any source of income.
Later, Ms. Zhang escaped her trackers and went, with her children, to Jibang Township, the Chongming District, to visit her mother-in-law. Someone inquired in her neighborhood if Ms. Zhang had returned home at midnight. Simultaneously, in her parents' hometown, the officers of the Tianshenggang Police Station in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, knocked on her parents' door at midnight to harass them.
At present, there are three officers and seven security guards tracking Ms. Zhang in three shifts. A car is parked in her community to wait for orders at all times.
Tianshenggang Police Station: 86-513-85568005
Jibang Township Police Station: 86-21-69444321
Kangjianxincun Police Station in the Xuhui District: 86-21-64362677
The Xuhui District Police Department: Switchboard: 86-21-64868911 Extension: 37214 or Extension: 37217
(Clearwisdom.net)
Today's News from China contains reports of persecution that took place in 28 cities or counties in 11 provinces. Thirteen practitioners were subjected to mistreatment during detention, and at least 84 practitioners were illegally arrested.
1. [Nong'an County, Jilin Province] Mr. Yu Jingwen and Several Other Practitioners Arrested
On September 24-28, 2007, police officers in Nong'an County, Jilin Province arrested more than 15 practitioners. Six of them were from Helong Township, two from Kai'an Township, three from Nong'an Township and four from Gaojiadian Township.
At about 7:00 p.m. on September 27, the policemen from Fulongquan Township broke into practitioners' home and arrested 12 practitioners including Mr. Yu Jingwen, Mr. Zhao Xiang, Ms. Nian Shuying, Ms. Fu Zhengmin, Ms. Li Xiuihua, Mr. Xiao Changyun, Ms Liu Guixin and Mr. Kong.
2. [Zhenzhou City, Henan Province] Practitioner Ms. Xu Xiuzhen Arrested Again
Practitioner Ms. Xu Liuzhen, over 60 years old, is one of the leading members of Zhengdalu Lights Main Shop. In 2001 the Two-Seven District 610 Office of Zhengzhou City sentenced her to one year of forced labor. She was held at the Qiligang Forced Labor Camp where she was brutally tortured.
On August 16, 2007, Ms. Xu Xiuzheng was arrested at her home by police from the Xinren Police Department, Zhengzhou City, leaving her husband alone at home. She is now held at the No. 2 Detention Center, Zhengzhou City.
3. [Shanghai] Two Practitioners Arrested in Pudong Area
Practitioners Ms. Lu jinquan and her husband Mr. Geng Jianfu were arrested on September 26, 2007. The couple's whereabouts are still unknown.
4. [Yibing City, Sichuan Province] Mr. Chen Daqun and Five Other Practitioners Arrested
At 3:00 p.m. on September 25, 2007, practitioners Mr. Chen Daqun, Ms. Liang, Ms. Han, Ms. Liu and Ms. Li went to visit another practitioner, Ms. Yang. The police followed them, broke into Ms. Yang's home and arrested all of them. Among them three practitioners were released after questioning at a local police station and another three were taken to Yibing City Prison Administrative Center, Sichuan Province. One was released on the same day. Mr. Chen Daqun and Ms. Yang were illegally arrested.
5. [Dalian City, Liaoning Province] Practitioners Ms. Zhu Yinglian and Ms. Li Yinfen Arrested and Sentenced to Forced Labor
At around 2:00 p.m. on September 12, 2007, practitioner Ms. Zhu Yinglian was taken away from her home by plainclothes police. Her Falun Dafa books and the truth-clarification materials were all confiscated. She was taken to Dalian City Security Detention Center where she was illegally detained for 15 days.
On September 12, practitioner Ms. Li Yifen was sentenced to two years of forced labor.
6. [Wuhan City, Hubei Province] Practitioner Mr. Zhang Tao Sent to Etouwan Brainwashing Center
Practitioner Mr. Zhang Tao from Qiaokou, Wuhan City was arrested at 10:00 p.m. on September 19, 2007 from his home. The police also took away the computer, Falun Dafa books and truth-clarification materials. Now Mr. Zhang Tao is illegally held at the Etouwan Brainwashing Center.
7. [Xining City, Qinghai Province] Practitioner Ms. Zhang Shuqin Persecuted
On July 3, 2007, practitioner Ms. Zhang Shuqin from Qinghai Pharmaceutical Factory was arrested by policemen from Qilian Road Police Station, Chengbei District Police Sub-department. She was detained for 24 hours.
On August 6, 2007, policemen from Qilian Road Police Station arrested Ms. Zhang Shuqin once again and ransacked her house. Ms. Zhang was sentenced to one year of forced labor and is now held at Qinghai Provincial Women's Forced Labor Camp.
Qulian Road Police Station, Chengbei Police Sub-department, Xining City Police Department: 86-971-5506474
8. [Baoding City, Hebei Province] Practitioner Mr. Zhang Xiaodian Arrested
On the evening of September 27, officials from the Xiongxian County 610 Office Baoding area arrested Mr. Zhang Xiaodian. He is currently being held at the Xiongxian Detention Center.
The police also attempted to arrest practitioner Ms. Du Aixian from Houying Village who was forced to leave home to avoid being persecuted. After the Mid-autumn Moon Festival in 2002, policemen from Daying Police Station broke into Ms. Du's house in an attempt to arrest her. Ms. Du's husband tried to protect her and was illegally sentenced to one year of forced labor. Ms. Du Aixian was forced to leave home and since then she has become homeless in order to avoid being arrested and persecuted.
Li Zengliang, County Political and Judicial Committee: 86-13603325908
Li Chengqun, Director of the County 610 Office: 86-312-5561616, 86-13703123556
Ma Jianhua, Daying Police Station: 86-312-5860033, 86-13230225198
9. [Nainan County, Qinghai Province] Practitioner Ms. Xu Yinglan and Several Other Practitioners Persecuted
On the evening of September 25, 2007 practitioner Ms. Xu Yinglan from Hainan County, Qinghai Province, Mr. Jia Baoping and his wife as well as his daughter Ms. Xu Xia who was not a practitioner, Ms. Zhang Shumei and Ms. Zhao Xiuhua were taken away by policemen from Qiabuqia Township, Hainan County. They are currently detained at the Qiabuqia Township Police Station.
10. [Shenyang City, Liaoning Province] Practitioner Ms. Chu Zhimei Arrested
On September 22, 2007 when practitioner Ms. Chu Zhimei, 70 years old, from Shenyang City went to visit one of her relatives she was reported by the local residents and then arrested by Wangbing Township Police Station for clarifying the facts to the neighbors. She is now being held at the Zhaohua Detention Center.
11. [Chongqing City] Practitioner Mr. Xia Jiazuo Persecuted
On the afternoon of September 29, 2007 practitioner Mr. Xia Jiazuo was pinned down at his daughter's home by the local police.
12. [Wuhan City, Hubei Province] Practitioner Ms. Zheng Xinlian Arrested
On the morning of September 25, 2007 practitioner Ms. Zheng Xinlian from the Workers and Staff University of Wuhan Iron and Steel Complex was arrested.
13. [Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province] Two Women Practitioners from Tianhe District Arrested
Around September 23, 2007, Ms. Zhang, who is in her fifties, from Tangxia Village, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, was arrested along with another female practitioner who is in her forties, but whose name is not known.
14. [Baoding City, Hebei Province] Police Ransacked Practitioner Ms. Hou Jiafeng's Home
On September 27, 2007 officials from Shunping County 610 Office, Baoding City, Hebei Province paid so-called visits to practitioners Ms. Hou Guifeng, Ms. Liu Huisan, Ms. Zhang Liyun and Mr. Liu Zhongji. They ransacked practitioner Hou Guifeng's home and confiscated a HP 1020 printer, a laminator, two boxes of blank disks, a paper cutter, several reams of photo copy paper, one DVD player, one cassette recorder, Fa lecture cassettes and some truth-clarification materials. Ms. Hou was taken to the local police department and was released in the afternoon.
15. [Laiyang City, Shandong Province] Practitioner Mr. Yu Chunqiang Arrested
Practitioner Yu Chunqiang, 54 years old, from Xihebei Village, Tangezhuang Township, Laiyang City was arrested at his home by the City 610 Office on September 21, 2007.
16. [Jilin City, Jilin Province] Practitioners Mr. Ma Hongyan and His Wife Arrested
On the evening of September 10, 2007 practitioner Mr. Ma Hongyan and his wife Ms. Wang from Jilin City were arrested by policemen from Dongdatan Police Station. Mr. Ma Hongyan is now back home.
17. [Baoqing County, Heilongjiang Province] Four Practitioners Arrested
On the morning of September 28, 2007 practitioners Ms. Shao Guilan, Mr. Han Changgui, and Mr. Song Decai have been illegally arrested.
18. [Fuyu County, Jilin Province] Ms. Zhao Guizhi Arrested
On the evening of September 27, 2007, practitioner Ms. Zhao Guizhi from Yuxian County, Jilin Province was arrested by Zhang Xichen, a policeman from Xinanjie Police Station as well as officials from the Political and Security Section of Fuyu County. Now she is held at the Fuyu County Detention Center.
19. [Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province] Practitioner Ms. Peng Zhihe Arrested
On the morning of September 27, 2007 practitioner Ms. Peng Zhihe from Hulan District, Harbin City was arrested at work. She is now held at the Hulan District Detention Center.
20. [Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province] Heilongjiang Women's Prison Persecutes Practitioner Ms. Xie Shuping
Practitioner Ms. Xie Shuping from Fulaerji, Qiqihar was born in 1938. She was arrested on November 27, 2004 and escorted to Heilongjiang Women's Hospital in May 2005. On July 29, she was forced to undergo brainwashing at the so-called training ward. Wang Dan, Diao Shumei and Guo Yi coupled threats with promises and used all sorts of methods in an attempt to force Ms. Xie to renounce Falun Gong. They forced her to watch video programs that slandered Falun Dafa and to stand still from 6 o'clock in the morning until 2:00 a.m. the next morning. Ms. Xie Shuping's feet and legs were all swollen. On August 16, Wang Dan punched and kicked Ms. Xie who is nearly 70 years old. When the woman was hit on the chest she was knocked down.
21. [Beijing City] Practitioner Ms. Zhang Lihua and Another Practitioner Arrested
On July 2, 2007, policemen from Mentougou Police Sub-department, Beijing City illegally arrested practitioners Ms. Zhang Lihua and Ms. Xiao Jinlong. Now they are still held at Chaoyangmen Detention Center where they are tortured.
22. [Beijing City] Practitioner Ms. Hui Shifu and Another Practitioner Arrested
On September 27, 2007 policemen arrested practitioner Ms. Hui Shifu from Maquqiao Township, Tongzhou District, Beijing City as well as another female practitioner.
23. [Tianjin City] Practitioner Ms. Chen Jinling Is Now Detained at Tanggu District Detention Center
Practitioner Mr. Xiu Shan, his wife Ms. Chen Jinling and their son were arrested by policemen from Hetou Village Police Station and officials from the Tanggu District 610 Office. Their home was ransacked. The evildoers confiscated all the Falun Dafa materials and books. Xiu Shan and his son were released on September 27, 2007. Ms. Chen Jinling is now still detained at Tanggu District Detention Center.
24. [Shanghai] Three Practitioners Arrested
In July 2007 practitioner Ms. Zhao Shuanghui and two other practitioners were arrested and are currently held at the Puxin District Detention Center.
25. [Laiyang City, Shandong Province] Practitioner Ms. Wang Yunlan Arrested
On September 26, 2007 policemen arrested practitioner Ms. Wang Yunlan and confiscated her computer and other items.
26. [Qilu City, Shandong Province] Practitioner Mr. Mao Jiangxin Arrested
On September 27, 2007, practitioner Mr. Mao Jiangxin from Petroleumand Chemistry Engineering Corporation Ltd. was arrested by the police from his home.
27. [Shandong Province] Practitioner Mr. Zhou Ning and Others Arrested
On September 12, 2007 practitioner Mr. Zhou Ning (formerly from Shandong Arts School), his wife Ms. Xiao Yixia and their child were arrested by the police at their temporary residence. They were forced to leave home and become homeless to avoid being persecuted.
28. [Weifang City, Shandong Province] Practitioner Ms. Wang Xiaoyun Arrested
On the evening of September 28, 2007 practitioner Ms. Wang Xiaoyun from Weicheng District, Weifang City was arrested by the local police.
29. [Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province] Practitioner Ms. Qiu Liying Arrested
On September 26, 2007, practitioner Ms. Qiu Liying went to the court hearing of practitioner Ms. Li Xiumin. On the morning of the following day Ms. Qiu Liying was arrested by police officers from the Sifang Police Station and her home was ransacked. On the morning of September 28, she was sent to a brainwashing center.
30. [Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province] Practitioner Ms. Jiang Sanni Arrested
In mid-August 2007, practitioner Ms. Jiang Sanni from Shijiazhuang went to her mother's home in ZunyiCounty, Guizhou Province to clarify the truth and was arrested by the local policemen. Her whereabouts are still unknown
31. [Dengzhou City, Henan Province] Practitioner Ms. Yang Xuejun and Several Other Practitioners Arrested
On September 6, practitioner Ms. Yang Xuejun, Ms. Shuhua, Ms. Ying, Ms. Lao Qin and Ms. Xiao Han from Dengzhou City, Henan Province were arrested. Currently they are held at Nanyang City Detention Center where they are mistreated.
32. [Zouping County, Shandong Province] Practitioner Ms. Su and Others Arrested
At 3:00 p.m. on July 23, when practitioner Ms. Su and Mr. Han Fuxia's wife were handing out truth-clarifying materials in the county proper, they were tailed and arrested by the Huangshan Police Station and police department. Their houses were ransacked and the policemen confiscated Falun Dafa books, the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and other truth-clarification materials. Since their arrest, their families members have not been allowed to visit them.
33. [Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province] Practitioner Mr. Wang Duo and His Wife Arrested
On September 28, 2007, practitioner Mr. Wang Duo, 65 years old, and his wife Ms. Zhang Xiuying, 58 years old, from Hancheng, Shaanxi Province were arrested from their home by police from the local police station.
34. [Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province] Ms. Zhang Chunyan and Several Other Practitioners Arrested
On September 28, 2007 policemen from Jixian County and Shuangyashan City went to several practitioners' homes in their jurisdiction to harass them. They arrested practitioners Ms. Zhang Chunyan, Mr. Qi Guoying and Mr. Du Baiyang from Jixian County. The officers from Baoqing County and the Qixingpao Township Police Station arrested practitioners Mr. Song Decai and Ms. Jia Guilan.
35. [Pingdu City, Shandong Province] Practitioner Mr. Wang Xujun Arrested
On September 27, 2007, policemen from Wanjia Police Station, Pingdu City arrested practitioner Mr. Wang Xuejun. The telephone number of Wanjia Police Station is 86-532-82361110
36. [Laishui County, Hebei Province] Practitioner Ms. Zheng Fuzhen and Two Other Practitioners Arrested
On September 27, 2007, Dai Chunjie from the National Security Division of Laishui County Police Department, Wang Fucai, head of the 610 Office, and Zhao Fen, Party secretary of Shenjiatai Village, ransacked local practitioners' home. The evildoers confiscated a satellite dish, a cassette recorder, and some Falun Dafa books from practitioner Ms. Zhen Fuzhen's home, and stole 2,000 yuan in cash and Falun Dafa materials from practitioner Ms. Li Zhen's home. They also took Falun materials from Ms. Chen Shuqinl's home.
Yi'an Township Police Station, Laishui County: 86-312-4699787
Chen Zhanguo, head of the Jiulong Township Police Station, Laishui County: 86-13930881909
Wang Dong, Party secretary of Jiulong Township: 86-312-4553009, 86-13832287351
(Clearwisdom.net) The First International Chinese Vocal Competition was held from October 15-17, 2007, in Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York City. On October 17, New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer wrote a letter of greeting to the First International Chinese Vocal Competition. Governor Spitzer said in the letter: "New Tang Dynasty Television has successfully organized a competition among some of the finest vocalists who highlight the best in Chinese traditional, folk and classical music." He said, "We are also honored that so many talented individuals have come to perform at this event held in our great Cultural Capital of New York City."
State of New York
Eliot Spitzer
Governor
October 17, 2007
Dear Friends:
I am delighted to send greetings to all those gathered for this Award Ceremony which marks the culmination of the International Chinese Vocal Competition.
A world-renowned center for art and music, the Empire State is proud of its distinguished legacy founded upon wonderful institutions and exceptionally talented people whose creative expression enriches all of our lives. In the spirit of contributing to humankind in such a valuable way, we welcome the opportunity to experience the magnificent talent of those from other countries and share in this wonderful cultural exchange.
We are also honored that so many talented individuals have come to perform at this event held in our great Cultural Capital of New York City. With this visit from such an impressive assembly of performers, New Tang Dynasty Television has successfully organized a competition among some of the finest vocalists who highlight the best in Chinese traditional, folk and classical music. It is certain that each leaves a tremendous impression generated by stunning singing ability and an inspiring repertoire that has truly delighted audiences.
I extend thanks to all the sponsors of this competition, and congratulations to all of the performers who have enriched many through the artistry they generous share. Please enjoy your visit to our wonderful City and State of New York - the crossroads of international culture.
Warmest regards and best wishes for a memorable experience.
Sincerely,
ELIOT SPITZER
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(Clearwisdom.net) In 1982, French physicist Alain Aspect and his team successfully performed an experiment that proved the existence of a phenomenon in quantum mechanics called "quantum entanglement" among particles at the submicroscopic level [1].
In quantum mechanics, two or more particles having the same origins seem to have some kind of entanglement correlation even though they may be spatially separated from each other. This entanglement correlation does not disappear no matter how great the distances between the particles.
If one particle is acted upon, the other particles reflect the effect immediately.
Quantum entanglement has been experimentally verified in many labs around the world. Many scientists consider the discovery of quantum entanglement as among the most important discoveries in the past several decades.
Although people still do not understand the precise meaning of it, it has already made a deep impact on the fields of philosophy, science, and religion. It is also challenging the current western scientific world's mainstream views.
I. The Universe Is an Inseparable Whole
The discovery of quantum entanglement showed a great limitation in the current mainstream view of science. Since the times of Descartes, Galileo and Newton, the dominant world view of western science has been that the universe is like a huge machine, lacking consciousness and purpose. The interactions among its components are limited by time and space (i.e. they are local activities) and the whole can be understood by studying the individual components, since the whole is simply the sum of all the individual components.
This type of science is known as Newtonian or classical science. Newtonian science was developed in accordance with these views. One divides materials into smaller and smaller micro-objects and, by studying these individual objects, one tries to understand the whole. A typical example is in the manufacture of machines, in which a whole machine is composed of all its components. This type of scientific view even considers human bodies as machines. Western medicine is based on this method - "treat the head if one has a headache; treat the foot if the foot is in pain."
Quantum entanglement supports the existence of "spooky action at a distance," which was considered suspect by Albert Einstein. Quantum entanglement surpasses the four dimensional space we live in and is not limited by it. It is nonlocal and tells us that, in some dimensional spaces in the universe, there exists the possibility of some kinds of interaction among all things.
The nonlocal property of quantum entanglement shows that everything has the properties of the whole. In simple terms, the nonlocality of quantum entanglement basically means that if you have two objects in a system (in physical models they are called "objects") and separates them, putting object A here and object B very far away (let's say tens of thousands of light-years away), then, whenever object A is disturbed, object B will also react. This reaction is instantaneous. It surpasses our four dimensional space and it does not need to wait for a long time until some signal is transmitted. It does not matter how far two particles are separated; one particle will react whenever the other particle is moved. This is to say that what happens at one place will immediately affect what happens in a faraway place. It tells us that some things that seem to be independent of each other, like the two particles, actually have some kind of relationship of unknown origin.
The nonlocality shows that there is some internal relationship among objects that has yet to be discovered by modern science. The entirety of a thing is greater than the sum of its components. This disagrees with the hypothesis of classical science. Thus there is an opinion that classical western science can only see each point, but not the entire plane; it only sees the trees but not the forest. However, in traditional Chinese philosophy, science, and medicine, the whole is always highly emphasized.
Quantum entanglement shows that the universe is an inseparable whole, that things are related intrinsically by unknown factors, and that the whole is greater than the sum of the component objects. These all contradict the starting point of classical Western science and impose serious questions about the validity of the mainstream world view.
II. Consciousness is a Fundamental Attribute of Matter
The world view of modern science looks at the universe as a machine, people and the many other beings in the universe, in this "the whole is the sum of its parts" way. Scientists, who themselves have consciousness, study nature and the universe with this rigid and mechanical world view. Though they have tried for several centuries, they have so far shed no light on the nature of consciousness. They can't explain what consciousness is. Consciousness, to modern science, remains a mystery.
When today's scientists study consciousness, the difficulty they meet is that they can not use the familiar terms of time, space, mass, and energy to measure it. However, each one of us knows clearly that our consciousness exists. How can one study consciousness if it cannot be measured by any ordinary means, though we know it exists?
As people today put together the lessons learned in different scientific disciplines, and as scientists and researchers constantly encounter difficulties when studying life's phenomena, more and more of them have realized that consciousness, which has been ignored by Western science for a long period of time, must be taken into consideration when trying to understand these phenomena. The materialist worldview must change fundamentally.
1. Difficulties Met When Studying Consciousness
In recent times, there have been many broad and in-depth studies on the brain and the nervous system. However, although there are many understandings about many functions of the brain, there is almost no understanding of consciousness itself. Science cannot explain how one experiences things, such as color, taste, brightness, etc., or how one makes judgments, determines values, etc. Such questions have again triggered the long-debated question in philosophy of whether consciousness is an emergent phenomenon of the brain, or whether it exists intrinsically in all matter (known as "everything has consciousness" in ancient Chinese philosophy).
Since the time of Descartes, the mainstream of the western world view says matter is supreme and that consciousness is a byproduct coming out of matter. This materialistic worldview presents challenges and difficulties that are almost impossible to resolve. For example:
(1) Many scientists have realized that getting consciousness out of matter that had no consciousness originally would require a miracle. However, materialism does not allow supernatural phenomena. In other words, consciousness is impossible.
(2) Over the many years of studying the brain, many understandings of the functions of the brain have been described, but many people doubt that the challenges of understanding consciousness will ever be solved under the materialistic world view [2,3].
(3). Some researchers have been trying to analyze consciousness from the point of view of quantum measurement. They came to the conclusion that consciousness is something that cannot be further simplified and that it is not something that appears from matter all of a sudden. This is because if consciousness is only a byproduct of matter, then the paradox of measurement in quantum mechanics cannot be solved. Quantum mechanics considers matter prior to measurement as possibility waves. Measuring will make the possibility "collapse" into actuality and that's how one gets a fixed measurement. That's where the problems come. If consciousness appears from matter then, since the brain itself is also a possibility wave arising from those of its atoms and elementary particles, how can the brain's possibility wave make the possibility wave of the observing "matter" collapse? How can the measured also be the measurer? If we talk about the greater universe, does this imply that there is an observer outside of the universe? This is known as the measurement paradox in quantum mechanics. In order to resolve this paradox, physicists have come up with many solutions, but none of them can completely answer the question. Nobel Prize winner Eugene Wigner said that consciousness is fundamental to the problem of quantum measurement. Although today's physics has realized that consciousness exists on the quantum level, quantum mechanics itself cannot solve the problem of consciousness. Consciousness has been a big problem for quantum mechanics ever since it was established, but for all this period of time, physicists have been avoiding it - it is a big challenge that embarrasses modern physics. [4]
Due to all these difficult problems in studying consciousness, more and more people in the fields of philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and physics began to realize that, just like time, space, mass, and energy, consciousness is a fundamental property of matter and it is an inseparable part of the universe. Recently, there have been serious discussions on this topic by researchers in mainstream research journals and research conferences [5, 6, 7, 8]. It is a developing trend in research.
Also, due to all the reasons above, more and more scientists and researchers have realized that studying consciousness with a Cartesian materialistic world view will not get them anywhere. They realize that the views of classical western science must be changed. Thus they have turned to the eastern philosophical world view. However, since the traditional Chinese culture has been destroyed by the Communist Party in China, many western scientists and researchers have turned to India. This is one reason that Indian yoga and mystical views have been popular in the western world.
2. One Must Study Consciousness on the Quantum Level
Today's critics of the neurosciences say that, for a long time, neuroscientists, consciously or unconsciously, have studied the functions of the brain and consciousness with the theories and viewpoints of Newton's classical physics. Newtonian physics considers physical systems as sums of independent subsystems; all these subsystems can only interact with the neighboring subsystems and their motions are predictable. However, quantum mechanics long ago pointed out the fatal error in Newtonian physics. More and more researchers have realized that, since the base point of Newtonian physics is wrong for studying the functions of the brain and consciousness, the viewpoints of Newtonian physics are not appropriate for studying consciousness. However, the world view of this classical physics is very deeply rooted in many people's minds, so it still affects many people's ways of thinking.
More and more scientists have realized that one can not understand consciousness on the level of the brain and the nervous system. Consciousness is something that already exists at the microscopic level. Thus, in order to truly study consciousness, one must be searching at the microscopic level, at the quantum level [9]. We all know that the microscopic world is the domain that quantum mechanics describes, but quantum mechanics itself has not answered the problem of measurement. Therefore, both physics and biology have the same target at the quantum level.
We know that the theories in physics are different from the ones in biology. Physical laws are based on mathematical laws; they are instructional. On the other hand, biological laws are based on selection and feedback; they are nonlinear. Then how can one unite the theories of physics and biology? Although their characteristics are very different, both have encountered the hard problem of consciousness. It seems that uniting the two fields has something to do with the topic of consciousness.
3. Quantum Entanglement as the Consequence of Subatomic Particles' Consciousness?
Consciousness cannot be seen or touched, nor can it be measured in terms of time, space, mass, or energy. However, it does have some familiar characteristics. If consciousness can be viewed as a basic property of matter, then subatomic particles will also have consciousness and, therefore, will show characteristics of consciousness. If these characteristics are shown in laboratory experiments, then can we conclude that, at least in one aspect, subatomic particles might possibly have some form of consciousness?
We have previously mentioned the phenomenon of quantum entanglement. From it people have realized the intrinsic relationship of components within matter but still cannot completely understand the meaning of quantum entanglement. The main reason is that people are thinking about particles with their traditional ways of thinking about matter.
Experiments have shown that once quantum entanglement occurs, it shows characteristics of being "remembered." The particles differentiate and recognize the particular particles which have the "entanglement relationship" with them. They can "remember" and recognize this specific entanglement relationship without any restriction or limitation by space or time. This cannot be understood with the materialistic point of view. Actually these characteristics of the behavior of microscopic particles are very similar to what we see with human consciousness.
There is a western saying goes "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck". We may say that what quantum entanglement shows is a consequence of the consciousness of two particles. This viewpoint can give a reasonable explanation for quantum entanglement [10]. Quantum entanglement is evidence for the existence of consciousness in submicroscopic particles. It also provides very good evidence for consciousness being a fundamental property of matter. Its significance is extraordinary.
III. Matter and Mind Are One and the Same
The world view of traditional Chinese philosophy is very different from the western materialistic world view. Traditional Chinese philosophy, science, and medicine all consider everything as a whole and talk about "heaven and earth as one." Quantum mechanics indeed has proven experimentally that the universe is an inseparable whole.
In today's western philosophical and scientific worlds, more and more people have realized that consciousness is actually as important as mass and energy. It is a fundamental property of matter and it exists in atoms and elementary particles. Everything in the universe not only has its materialistic aspect, but also its conscious aspect. Quantum entanglement could be evidence to support the idea that subatomic particles do have consciousness. What quantum mechanics describes is the materialistic aspect of the  particles, but the conscious aspect cannot be described with quantum mechanics.
If we realize that consciousness is a fundamental property of matter, then perhaps we will soon be able to better understand reported observations such as the ability of water to sense messages, the curative effect of prayer, the apparent responses by plants to events in their environments, reincarnation, and many others. These are all phenomena that cannot be explained by classical Newtonian science.
Traditional Chinese science fundamentally recognizes the importance of the effects of consciousness and says that everything has a mind. The new world view that the western philosophy and scientific world is now getting to know was known long ago by traditional Chinese science as well as in the world of spiritual cultivation. In the book, Zhuan Falun, it is clearly pointed out that "matter and mind are one and the same" (Zhuan Falun, 2003 Translation Version). Matter and mind (consciousness) exist simultaneously within everything in the universe. Matter and mind (consciousness) are unified and cannot be separated. Consciousness is something that surpasses the four dimensional world that we can see and sense. If humans could perceive the reality of the microscopic world, then we might be able to perceive the existence of consciousness.
Many people have predicted and hoped that the period of a new world view, with fundamental changes in science, will come soon. The barriers between scientific and spiritual beliefs may then disappear.
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References:
[1] Alain Aspect et al (1982), "Experimental Tests of Bell's Inequalities Using Time-Varying Analyzers", Physics Review Letters 49, 1804-7
[2] Chalmers, D. (1996), "The Conscious Mind" (Oxford: University of Oxford Press)
[3] Chalmers, D. How Can We Construct a Science of Consciousness? In (M. S. Gazzaniga, ed) The Cognitive Neurosciences III. (MIT Press, Cambridge, 2004)
[4] Rosenblum, Bruce & Kuttner, Fred: QUANTUM ENIGMA (Oxford University Press, 2006)
[5] Strawson, G.(2006), "Realistic Monism: Why Physicalism Entails Panpsychism" Journal of Consciousness Studies, 13(4)
[6] Strawson, G. et al. (2006), Consciousness and its Place in Nature: Does Physicalism Entail Panpsychism? (Exeter, UK: Imprint Academic)
[7] e.g. The international academic conference "Toward a Science of Consciousness", Budapest, Hungary, July of 2007
[8] Gao Shan, "Quantum Collapse, Consciousness and Superluminal Communication", Foundations of Physics Letters, 17(2), (2004) 179.
[9] e.g,Penrose, R., A theory of everything? Nature 433, 259 (2005).
[10] July of 2007, academic conference"Quantum Mind 2007" , University of Salzburg, Australia, quantum entanglement and consciousness were also discussed.
(Clearwisdom.net) Because the CCP's 17th Congress is scheduled for October 15-23, 2007, systematic "Safe-Stable" work meetings were recently held at all levels of government, from the central down to the local. These meetings reveal the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) fear that the heavens will soon destroy it.
The meetings' minutes stated that there are social problems upon social problems. "We are in a time when conflicts erupt between the people, the crime rate is high, and struggles with enemies are complicated... Conflicts between the people are turning into fights with the enemy, struggles with the enemy are becoming a concrete reality, and verbal conflicts are turning into armed fights." The CCP views Falun Gong as an "enemy" and has been ordered to "closely watch, pay close attention... cover all directions... have the red flag unfurled during the day and the siren's audible during the night," so the "abnormal appeals" and "enemy disruption" will be eradicated. The CCP First Officials at each level have full responsibility, so each level must be sure to not take any appeal cases, for they will take full responsibility should there be any appeals in Beijing. They must "take their own children home," meaning, take the people who appeal to the government back to their local area.
Liaoning Province has dispatched more than 400 police vehicles to Beijing, and Shandong Province has dispatched more than one thousand police vehicles to Beijing to pick up people from their regions making appeals. All districts in Beijing have strengthened their patrol troops, and even community patrol guards with red bands on their arms have appeared everywhere.
All these are signs that the CCP fears that moment when "heaven destroys the CCP." Currently, 27,180,000 people have made the "three withdrawals." For the past three years after the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party was published, especially after the CCP's crime of selling Falun Dafa practitioners' harvested organs was exposed, more and more people of conscience have chosen to cast aside the CCP, and join the wave of people making the three withdrawals. More and more of the world's people, organizations, and governments have expressed just support for Falun Gong. The Human Rights Torch Relay event has brought global attention to the cruel violations of human rights and the persecution of Falun Gong. The CCP senses this increasing solidarity, and that "heaven has doomed the CCP," and knows that its downfall is approaching rather quickly.
We are trying to persuade those kind people who are still deceived by the CCP to quickly realize and see clearly the true nature of the CCP, make the "three withdrawals" as soon as possible, choose a bright future, and not be buried along with the CCP!
Falun Gong has done nothing wrong. They don't pursue power. It is a group with faith in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They have enlightened to the meaning of life and try to be better people according to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Good being rewarded with good, and evil meeting with retribution is a universal law. The CCP has been doomed ever since they started persecuting Falun Gong, because no one has been or will be able to successfully persecute a righteous belief.
The Roman dictator Nero persecuted the Christians and burned the city of Rome. Jiang created the Tiananmen self-immolation incident to persecute Falun Gong. History always repeats itself, but the clouds will never hide the sun for long, and lies can never cover the truth.
(Clearwisdom.net) Recently a defamatory article came out in the CCP media about a worker from the Yantai City Development Zone in Shandong Province who began practicing Falun Gong in 2005. Right away, let's think about this: After six years of the CCP's slandering Falun Gong, isn't the fact that someone became a practitioner of Falun Gong under the CCP's red terror direct proof that the CCP's persecution is a total failure?
The article was entitled, "Blindly Believing Falun Gong Results in Prison Time -[Jiang's slanderous term deleted] Ruins Family." From reading the title, people may think the CCP is making up another lie similar to those from several years ago, when it fabricated stories about Falun Gong practitioners killing and committing arson. Most people nowadays no longer believe those lies after learning the truth about Falun Gong. But this particular article didn't have those kind of lies. Instead, it told readers that because this new practitioner was arrested and sentenced to a three-year term, and thus could not see his wife or daughter anymore, he had "ruined a perfect happy family."
Wasn't this happy family ruined by the CCP's persecution? Why blame it on Falun Gong? This article tries to use a tragedy caused by the persecution as a reason to sustain the persecution. The logic of the CCP's media is completely twisted.
This article was posted in June 2007, on the Henan Province Science Association website. In China, two types of organizations are used to drive the persecution of Falun Gong. One is the 610 Office, which is similar to the Gestapo of Nazi Germany, in that it operates above all legal, judicial, and spy systems, and the police. The other is the "anti-cult" associations, which have special writing teams establish strategic plans to fabricate reasons for the persecution and broadcast these reasons to the international community, harming people and the country with their slander.
Today, these CCP writers can only come up with the theory: "If you practice Falun Gong, the CCP will put you in prison, separating you from your family, and then you will have broken up your family." Such ridiculous slander is truly a sign that the persecution is near its end.
(Clearwisdom.net) Three generations in my family cultivate Falun Gong. Nearly everyone in the family has witnessed miracles attributable to Falun Gong.
Let me start with my grandfather. He was diagnosed with heart disease in his 30s. He had three to four heart attacks each year. I remember when I was little, Grandfather would let down the mosquito net and lay down on the bed when he was having a heart attack. Judging from his facial expression, he was in agony. Because my family was destitute and could not afford any medical treatment, Grandfather had no choice but to endure the pain alone. (In order to get money to treat Grandfather's heart disease, my father decided to leave home to go into business.) I once raised the mosquito net to check on my grandfather. I saw him turning green and soaked in sweat. At the time I always told myself one day a Bodhisattva would come save us!
In 1998, Grandfather became seriously ill. The doctor was unable to put a needle into his vein. Father rushed home from out of town and told grandfather about Falun Gong. This is how Grandfather first started practicing Falun Gong. As an intellectual, he dismissed Falun Gong as superstition at first. However, he didn't have the heart to turn Father down. He was bedridden, so he read Zhuan Falun in bed. Teacher was very compassionate and made Grandfather increasingly well each day. Finally he could get out of bed to learn the Falun Gong exercises. When he was practicing the third exercise, he felt incredibly comfortable from head to toe. He said he had never felt so great. Next, he gave the remaining stock of medicine to friends who needed it. It was Falun Gong that brought my grandfather back from death's door, so he would tell people he met that Falun Gong was great. The villagers witnessed the miracle produced by Falun Gong, so many of them started to practice Falun Gong as well. One day Father accidentally ran over Grandfather's feet when he was driving, but Grandfather was completely unharmed. This was another miracle attributable to Falun Gong!
In 1999 Jiang Zemin began his ruthless persecution of Falun Gong, but Grandfather never stopped practicing Falun Gong or clarifying the truth to people for a single day. Grandfather said, "Teacher didn't give me good health so that I could live life as a non-practitioner. He meant for me to save people." Grandfather is an old man and does not have much income. In order to earn money to produce truth-clarification materials, he collects garbage bags and sells them to recycling facilities for money. He then passes the money to Father, who produces truth-clarification materials. This is my new grandfather!
In 2006, Grandmother suddenly became paralyzed from head to toe. Without taking any medicine, she has completely recovered and is now in excellent health.
One day Mother fell from a building five meters (16.4 ft.) in height, and she passed out immediately. Everyone was too shocked to touch her, but Mother regained consciousness in a few minutes and got up slowly on her own after three attempts. Everyone urged her to be examined in a hospital, but she told them, "I am okay. I am a Falun Gong practitioner under the protection of Teacher. Look! You can see I am perfectly all right!" Upon saying these words, Mother got up and walked home on her own. Everyone at the scene commented that they now believe in Falun Gong and they wanted to practice Falun Gong as well! The next morning, Mother found a large bump resembling a tumor on her neck, but she was not worried at all and continued about her business. Three days later the bump disappeared. Mother is becoming very diligent in her cultivation practice, and said that nothing will shake her will to cultivate.
Father is a very diligent cultivator with a steadfast faith in the Fa. In August 1999, China's Public Security Bureau (PSB) unlawfully arrested and detained my father and mother, who were working in northern China. At the time my younger brother and I were very little, so the PSB released Mother. But they took Father away. Two weeks later, Mother gave the PSB a large amount of money as "ransom" and the PSB finally released father. However, the PSB demanded that we leave the city right away. After Father was released, we packed our bags and returned to our hometown.
After we returned home, Father told us about the two weeks in the detention center. He was locked up with people who had done very bad things. At night, he didn't have a blanket to keep him warm, and during the day he was given buns with green fungus growing on them for food. Sometimes the prison guards would not let him sleep at night, yet they forced him to do hard labor during the day. Father didn't complain and he touched the prison guards and prison inmates with his kindness. Father taught them to memorize poems from Hong Yin. Those inmates learned the meaning of life from Father and promised him that they would become good people when they were released.
Falun Gong is such a wonderful cultivation practice. It will do a multitude of good things for people and nothing bad. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is bad to the core in its suppression of Falun Gong. The CCP is wicked because it cannot bear to see the Chinese people benefiting from Falun Gong. A government that does not care about its people should not exist.
In the past few years of the persecution of Falun Gong, sometimes we were confused or slacked off in our cultivation practice, but we have never wavered in our faith because Falun Gong has lit up the path to our true home.
My entire family would like to pass along the following words to Teacher through the Minghui/Clearwisdom website, "Thank you, Teacher, for your compassionate salvation! Teacher, you have done a lot of hard work for us! We will continue to cultivate our hearts and do the three things well to be qualified as Falun Gong practitioners in the Fa-rectification period."
(Clearwisdom.net) After the persecution started, many fellow practitioners stopped practicing Falun Dafa and have not returned. Facing this situation, some practitioners have experienced feelings of regret and helpless anxiety.
All those feelings are precisely what the evil wants, aren't they? Aren't those feelings acknowledgments of the persecution? Teacher doesn't acknowledge this persecution, so how can we be moved by the evil's arrangements?
Eliminating the evil with our righteous thoughts and clarifying the truth with our mercy is the only choice for practitioners, and only by doing so will the results be as Teacher says:
"The Fa-rectification moves through the world, the grand manifestation of Gods and Buddhas unfolds, and all of the chaotic world's unrighted wrongs and karmic relationships are settled with benevolent solutions. The ones who do evil against Dafa go down into the gate of no-life. As for all the others, people's hearts return to righteousness and they cherish virtue and do good, all the myriad things are renewed, and every single sentient being reveres Dafa's saving grace. All of the heavens and the earth celebrate together, congratulate each other, and exalt together." ("Foretelling the Fa's Rectification of the Human World," from Essentials for Further Advancement II)
All issues will be automatically resolved by Teacher's arrangements for the persecution's end.
Dafa practitioners' righteous thoughts come from their sides that have been well-cultivated. These righteous thoughts are the manifestations of great gods' divine power.
Teacher had already pushed all of the pre-July 20, 1999, students to their highest positions. With strong righteous thoughts, post-July 20 students can also sufficiently protect themselves. My understanding is that Teacher pushing disciples to their highest positions refers to the divine level you belong to. Your bodies in other dimensions are already at that level and have all the abilities needed to handle any situation.
Nevertheless, practitioners still must have strong righteous thoughts to believe in Teacher's Fa and let our own abilities manifest. We shouldn't let the human side restrain the godly side. Only then can we use the divine powers at will to immediately stop the persecution.
(Clearwisdom.net)
I Fortunately Obtained the Fa While Suffering from Illness
I began cultivation in 1996. Ever since childhood I had excruciating illnesses, and I also had a near-death experience. I was bedridden and was administered daily IV infusions. I watched the IV drops entering my vein. I was too weak to go outside and was afraid of catching a cold, but at the same time had cold fluid infused into my body. I had infusions while bedridden on 23 consecutive days. My body was cold and clammy, and my face was pasty.
When I was suffering from this illness, my husband brought me a copy of the book Zhuan Falun. I thought initially that it was an ordinary book and did not pay too much attention to it. On the 23rd day of the infusions, when I was half sleep and half awake, I heard my husband reading the book to me. The more I heard, the more comfortable I became. I asked him to read the book loudly. I was deeply convinced by all those universal laws to which the book alluded. My mind started opening up. I suddenly had a desire to practice Falun Gong.
I left my bed that same day. The next day, my husband and I went to a Falun Gong practitioner's home in the suburbs and learned the four Falun Gong standing exercises. Although this was the first time I practiced and I concentrated on correcting my moves, I felt comfortable on our way home, which increased my desire to practice. Soon I was able to find a Dafa exercise tape and I practiced along with the music. In the meantime, I also watched Master's Guangzhou lecture. Just like that, I had stepped into Dafa practice. My body got strong from Dafa study and cultivation, and my face turned pink and healthy-looking. I have changed into a completely new person, according to my close friends.
Overcoming Hardships from the Evil Old Forces
When I was enjoying the goodness of Dafa, the evil persecution started, and tribulations arrived one after another. First it was the brainwashing session held by local regime agents, to persecute practitioners. Then came the beating and scolding from my older folks. People at my place of work attempted to make me give up my faith, and other things occurred. I was under great pressure and did not have a chance to breathe. Because I did not study the Fa well, my understanding of the Fa was superficial rather than cognitive. I did not resist the persecution rationally, and this made my hardships worse. My husband's parents kicked him out. While he was in the process of appealing for Falun Gong, he was arrested and held in a detention center. My family frequently forced me to leave the house. They fabricated rumors about me so that relatives on my husband's side would not even talk to me. My in-laws scolded me constantly, even in front of other people, and even beat me. Once I was beaten so seriously I had large bumps on my head and my eyes turned purple. I ended up staying at my parents' place for a month. I was deeply hurt by all these tribulations.
During that time however, I had more desire to study Dafa and improve myself. I insisted on studying a chapter of Zhuan Falun each day. Sometimes I could complete the book in three days. I also read other Dafa books and Master's new articles, and helped the other Dafa practitioners who were so afraid of the evil persecutors and had given up their belief. I saw some practitioners too afraid to even accept Master's new articles. I cried for them and did not understand their motives. Although we lived far away from a city, we were still able to obtain all of Master's new articles after great efforts made by fellow practitioners, which was a really good thing at that time.
We raised our comprehension of the Fa teachings through Fa study. Our belief in Master was firm. We did not have a copier then, so we exchanged handwritten copies of Master's new articles. We were determined to study and practice Dafa and never stopped. Fa study enabled me to overcome tribulations that the old evil forces had placed in my path.
Keeping up with the Fa-rectification Process
After I had experienced so many tribulations, with serious thoughts and comparisons of the facts before and after Dafa practice I decided to become involved in the Fa-rectification process. At first I clarified the truth of the persecution to people who were close to me and helped them recognize that the rumors and lies propagated by the CCP were for its benefit. I exposed the CCP's persecution of Dafa and of the practitioners. I also clarified the truth to the police and asked them to release my husband and other practitioners, and explained why their detention was illegal.
This Fa-rectification process was a testing round for me, to determine if I firmly believed in Dafa. The power of righteous thoughts, and letting go of the attachments frightened those who were controlled by old forces and they would even obey me, but when the righteous thoughts were weak the evil people would intimidate me, and I could not convince them and thus failed to save them.
When my husband had completed his illegal forced labor sentence, I went to the forced labor camp alone, to bring him home. Persecution then was rampant, and the family did not expect that I could bring him home. But I had the power of righteous thoughts on my side, and also I understood from Master's Fa teaching that we should firmly refuse the old forces' arrangements. In the end we returned home safely. After he was home, the local officials attempted to torture him but failed to do so because of the power of our righteous thoughts. The situation at home improved after we clarified the truth and the family gained some understanding of Dafa.
With the availability of truth-clarifying materials, the local Fa-rectification situation advanced. With other practitioners' help and cooperation, I progressed from initially being fearful of distributing the truth-clarification materials to the point where I distributed much of the material to save more people. I sensed that I was "assisting teacher in the human world." At the same time I was able to handle Dafa work wisely and with reason. Sometimes there were things I wished I could do better, but by firmly believing in Master and Dafa, I had stumbled but made progress on the road of Fa-rectification with Master's protection and compassion.
The Power of Strong Righteous Thoughts
Last year I withdrew from the CCP using my real name. I was under much pressure for a month. My managers frequently held meetings with me, indicating that I had done a good job at work, but withdrawing from the CCP might impact my future. I told them that withdrawing from the CCP was a decision I made after careful consideration, and was my personal choice. They attempted to link my withdrawal from the CCP with Falun Gong. I had no instructions as to how to withdraw from the CCP at that time, and I was afraid and failed to convey my reasoning well, which escalated the difficulty of the withdrawal. My managers pondered whether or not to report my case to upper management. One of my coworker friends called me after overhearing their conversation and cautioned me about my safety, which at the same time affirmed my decision to withdraw from the CCP.
The next day my managers talked with me again. I told them that my decision to withdraw from the CCP was based on the CCP's extreme persecution of my family. My righteous thoughts made my managers reluctantly accept my request. From that moment on I was completely rid of the CCP's evil controls. My mind was brighter. I experienced that I was under Master's protection and compassion.
Another time, we had planned to distribute persecution explanation materials at a far-away location. We got there at noon, found a quiet place in the woods to rest, and waited for darkness to fall. We stayed in the woods, memorized the Fa and sent righteous thoughts. It was getting dark, but a strong wind came up, along with big thunder clouds. It began raining. We had only one thought--it should not rain tonight, and we should not lose this opportunity to save people. Many years of cultivation made us realize that Master was in control. After we sent forth righteous thoughts, the thunder diminished and the rain stopped, but the wind was still strong. We were shaking from the wet and chilly wind, so we started the Falun Gong exercises. We felt warmer after completing exercises one through four. By then it was completely dark. After sending righteous thoughts, we divided into groups and distributed truth-clarification materials, completing the task at 2:00 a.m.
We could not find a place to stay and decided to walk home. On the way we wrote, "Falun Dafa is Good" on walls and took a rest. We were so tired. At 6:00 a.m. the rain was heavy. We stopped a truck and asked for a ride, and the truck driver let us board. He told us he had seen us walking on the road several times as he drove back and forth along this road.
I had recently slacked on Fa study and practicing the exercises and indulged myself with comfort. I began having health problems. I felt depressed, encountered many conflicts at work and almost forgot the purpose of Fa cultivation. With help and hints from other practitioners I realized how serious these problems are and have become more diligent.
I would like to thank my follow practitioners who were there to help me. I also realize that if a practitioner departs from Dafa, he will lose track of his purpose for living. It has been a hard lesson for me to learn. I am determined in my belief in Dafa. I will catch up with the Fa-rectification process, assist Master and will never again let down Master's expectations. I shall diligently improve myself and thus fulfill my great prehistoric vows.
Please kindly point out any mistakes.
(Clearwisdom.net) I am a doctor and began to practice Falun Dafa at the end of 1997. Like many other practitioners, I experienced feelings such as happiness, excitement and enlightenment on understanding universal principles when reading the Fa.
But, since I understood the Fa superficially, its true meanings escaped me. Under huge pressure in 1999, I even admitted in front of a video camera, "I no longer practice Falun Gong." Even if it was against my will, I still made the mistake that a practitioner shouldn't make and put a blemish on Dafa. It is beyond human language to describe how painful and astray I felt afterwards. It was the anguish of my soul.
I remained in remorse for four years, but Dafa is deeply rooted in my heart. One day on my way to work, I suddenly had a thought from the depth of my being, "I want to cultivate in Dafa." The thought was strong. Following that, another practitioner met me and explained to me the persecution from the standpoint of Dafa, such as the staged "Tiananmen Self-Immolation Incident," which had the effect of awakening me from a dream. With tears I read Zhuan Falun again and found that I really got back what I need in my life -- thanks to Master's compassion.
Then I read Master's books with strong pursuit and encountered continuous tribulations. Now I will write what I have realized. Please compassionately point out anything incorrect.
Master, Please Give Me Strength!
Since I returned to Dafa, I understand more and more how precious Dafa is. I hurriedly copied Essentials for Further Advancement and mailed it to a fellow practitioner, but I did so with fear. That practitioner was reported and arrested and she revealed my contact info. After that incident, she phoned me and explained that she had to do what she did. I didn't have any resentment toward her and I believed that she really thought that way when the police arrested her.
One afternoon not long after that, people from the city police department, from the 610 Office and from the local police station arrested me at my office and ransacked my home. I didn't know then how to send righteous thoughts to eliminate the interference, but I realized that they had come for my Dafa materials. They were also looking for culpability for its source. On the way to the police station I thought, "Even if I cannot succeed in cultivation, I must protect the fellow practitioners who gave me the material." Once I thought like that, I became serene and nothing disturbed my peace of mind. My behavior was gentle, unhurried, and neither arrogant nor servile.
The police didn't find anything they wanted and politely sent me back home. I was surprised at my calmness during the whole process and realized it was Master who had strengthened me.
A Single Thought Makes a Whole World of Difference
Further Fa study made me acutely aware of the importance of clarifying the facts and offering salvation to sentient beings. The process of my first attempt at explaining the facts to my colleagues was quite a wonder. On my first attempt my heart beat wildly, over 120 beats per minute. However, when I sent one thought, "A fearful mind is interference from the old forces," my heartbeat resumed its normal state. I can provide no explanation for my experience from a medical standpoint. Later on I understood that I am no longer an ordinary person - this one single thought resulted in huge differences.
There is interference and frustration during clarifying the facts to people. One of my colleagues watched a truth-clarification DVD and thought that it was really good. I then asked her to read Zhuan Falun. Her husband became outraged and took her and the material to our work unit leader. Her husband works in the judicature system and knows deeply how cruelly Falun Gong is persecuted. He was afraid of his wife getting into great trouble for it. My supervisor talked with me. I realized that it was a chance to tell my supervisor of the persecution. I talked to anyone who would sit in front of me about the persecution.
Improving One's Character by Considering Others First
I was transferred from the clinic to the logistics department. At first I felt somewhat puzzled, and then I realized that it was interference and persecution from the old forces and that I should firmly deny it. Should I leave the present position and go to the new position? How can I deny the arrangements of the old forces? I eventually decided to go to work in the logistics department since there were many people there who had never learned the persecution facts.
On the day when they declared I would be transferred to a new unit, I sat in front of a group of supervisors and other relevant people in our small meeting room. From the perspective of ordinary people, this is a serious and dreadful confrontation; but for me, they were only a group of sentient beings waiting to listen to the persecution facts. A leader said, "Why do you insist on practicing Falun Gong even though the central government has forbidden it?" I spoke of Dafa being disseminated worldwide; talked of the staged Tiananmen Square self-immolation; and related the positive effects of Dafa on people, for instance how Dafa cultivation improved my morals. They listened quietly. Sometimes they asked questions. I continued to expose the persecution while answering their questions. The meeting room had become my "truth clarification stage." Then our dean said, "We always persuade our staff not to accept extra money from patients on the side. We really should educate them to improve their morals." His words were proof that this was not a confrontation. I knew then that their consciences were awake. At last I stood up and said, "I will do my work well, anywhere," and ended my speech.
After being transferred to the new position, I openly told them that I practice Falun Gong. Thus, I began my above-board cultivation and "truth-clarification." I discovered that Master had arranged for many significant people to listen to the truth. I was no longer concerned with the possibility of returning to my old position. I no longer cared for it; it was simply up to Master. Two months later I was back in my old position. At that time, the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party had been published and I persuaded those colleagues who accepted the truth to withdrawal from the Party. Most of them quit the Party and its affiliated organizations.
I reckoned that even if the old forces persecuted me and changed my work situation, I would confront it with a practitioner's righteous thoughts. In this way I turned persecution into a practitioner helping Master to rectify the Fa and build virtue. Thank you Master, for your compassion!
After I returned to my old job, I spoke joyfully with fellow practitioners about the event. Although I still did the three things, my happy mindset, complacency and self-validation rose up without my noticing it. Sometimes I realized it, but I still did not want to abandon it. I enjoyed the happiness and didn't realize that I had departed from the Fa. Therefore, for a long time I felt sleepy when studying the Fa and sending righteous thoughts.
Then I read "Minghui Weekly." I was moved and shaken by fellow practitioners' selflessness, and their experiences of walking on the cultivation path. I understand many Fa principles. From then on I no longer felt sleepy when studying the Fa. Cultivation is indeed serious, and the old forces may interfere with you at any time if you cannot cultivate diligently, if you don't continue to look inside yourself and if you don't do everything according to the Fa's requirements.
One day I had prepared truth clarification materials and was about to go out. I had the following thoughts: "My recent cultivation state has not been good; I have not diligently studied the Fa and am unable to send righteous thoughts calmly. Will I be safe to go out?" Then Master's Fa echoed in my heart. I realized that I couldn't stop offering sentient beings salvation because I was concerned with my own safety. That day I distributed fliers during daylight hours without any complications because this powerful and righteous thought - rock-solid and free from any interruption - accompanied me throughout. My xinxing improved because I thought of others first. I realized the things Master has us do are for our own advancement in cultivation.
Master's Compassionate Protection
I felt that Master protected me over and over again. Once I went to residential buildings in a remote area. I thought that the place was too remote for other practitioners to travel to. I distributed several copies of materials and then opened a box used for ordering milk. What I saw was a copy of the Nine Commentaries. The fellow practitioners' diligence really touched me. I spoke to Master from the bottom of my heart, "Master, take me to the places where fellow practitioners haven't been." I jumped on my bicycle, turning several corners, and arrived on a flat small road. Some low and old buildings that looked neither like a town nor like the countryside appeared before me. Almost all the doors to the buildings were open and people were going in and out. I said to Master, "I am not familiar with surroundings like these. Master, please strengthen me." I was immediately surrounded by an auspicious and compassionate atmosphere. It is hard to describe how peaceful I was. I openly went into these buildings. Even if there was someone coming out, I would only see him after I had put the materials in place. I was calm and free from fear. "Cultivation depends on one's own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one's master." (Zhuan Falun) Master does everything; all we do is only to fulfill our mission of helping Master rectify the Fa.
Explaining the persecution facts to my family
Prior to 1999, my son had followed my example to study the Fa and do the Falun Gong exercises. Because I didn't do well, he stopped cultivating in the Fa. When I was clear-headed, I began to tell my son the truth about the persecution. Once my son pointed at my nose and said, "Don't talk of these things with me." I replied, "You must be responsible for your future." He was shocked. I never gave up any opportunity to let him know the facts.
Just prior to an important examination before graduating from secondary school, my son caught a severe fever, as high as 40 0C (104 0F). He wanted neither to go to a hospital nor to receive and injection. I told him just to say, "Falun Dafa is good; Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good." My son stared at me doubtfully. Then I told him many stories about fellow practitioners and the miracles of Dafa. He accepted it. After that, he sweat continuously and his body temperature decreased. The next day my son went to the exam by himself. Later on, he told me that once the fever disappeared, he was happy and full of awe. I understood how huge the happiness was, a life returning to the Fa.
Later on my son got several very big blisters on his feet from running. The second day, one of his feet swelled. I ask my son to say, "Falun Dafa is good; Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good." He woke up the following morning and found that all the swelling had disappeared. Witnessing the wonder of Dafa, my son again believed in Dafa and returned to Dafa. At that time he didn't study the Fa so diligently. I shared with him more about Dafa. Now my son adheres to studying Zhuan Falun and Essentials for Further Advancement, reads articles on the Minghui website and lets people know the truth about the persecution, even if he is quite busy with his studies. His "xinxing" has improved in the process. We compare with each other on Fa study and cultivation, and we form a good environment to urge each other toward a better understanding of the Fa and more diligent cultivation.
My younger sister works in the southern part of China. We get along well with each other, but she is prejudiced toward Dafa. I spoke with her on the phone several times, but she remained the same as before. I went to help her when she gave birth to her baby. I continued to tell her the facts. She withdrew from the CCP, half believing and half doubting. The day after returning from the hospital, I quietly put an amulet with "Falun Dafa is good" under her pillow.
On the morning of the third day after her child's birth, my younger sister told me that she and her baby passed a test the previous night. She said her baby had cried extraordinarily long and hard the previous night without obvious reason. Then she saw a dark shadow flying toward her and her child. When it had almost reached them, a person with a halo of light behind him beat the shape out with his palm. The dark shadow retreated immediately and her baby immediate stopped crying. I realized that Master let her see a scene in another dimension. After that she believed truly in Dafa. I felt Master's compassion. We really have no reason not to do well with what we should do.
My aunt has good spiritual foundation and is quite interested in qigong. Her third eye opened through practicing another qigong. She kept practicing it until one day she heard that the founders of the qigong she practiced had quarreled with each other over money. This left her feeling acutely disappointed, but she still didn't accept Dafa.
My aunt came to stay with us from far away because my mother was having gallstone surgery. I knew a good opportunity had arrived. I took every chance to tell her the facts about the persecution and about the wonders of Dafa when she took care of my mother. Of course, I not only talked, but also tried to let her see her attachments. Sometimes I even listened more and talked less. I faced my family with righteous thoughts, and the happiness and calmness I cultivated from the Fa. They changed and gradually accepted Dafa. Now my mother says silently every day, "Falun Dafa is good." She told a fellow practitioner that her health improved because of me. The fellow practitioner said my mother is really clear-minded. Actually, my mother's health is due to Dafa.
My aunt also started to accept Dafa. One day as my aunt read Zhuan Falun, she told me excitedly that she saw golden stars one inch above every word in the book. At first she thought that it was an illusion, but when she read the newspaper beside her, no such images appeared. One day she told me that there were layers and layers of Falun (Law Wheels) in front of her. Another day she said she saw Master's Law Body. I am sincerely grateful to Master and Dafa, and really happy to see these lives enlightened.
As for my husband, we get along very well. We seldom quarrel. When I cultivated in Dafa again, I let the old forces take advantage of me because of my strong attachment to fear and emotion. My husband lost his sense of reason and angrily demanded to divorce me. He wanted to drive me away from home. One day he said that the home environment I provide is not like home at all, and I must choose between Dafa and him. He also tore up a Dafa book and truth-clarification materials.
My righteous thoughts were weak then and once he made trouble, I became weak. Sometimes when I wanted to concentrate to send forth righteous thoughts, he would at once shout, "What are you doing?" I didn't understand because he knew that I was about to send righteous thoughts. Later on I realized that he was actually being controlled by demons in other dimensions.
When he quarreled, he always made trouble for my mother. Mother would cry on the phone, and I would too. I suffered greatly. All conflicts came together; love between husband and wife, and affection between mother and daughter, coupled with unlawful home invasion and searches, interference from the local police station, and even some unexpected work situations. The only purpose for all these things was to make me give up Dafa.
Some fellow practitioners suggested I agree to the divorce as they thought I might escape from conflict and repay a lot of karma this way. I thought that it was not the right way. We did not have such a clear comprehension of the Fa at that time and could not distinguish Fa-rectification cultivation from personal cultivation.
When my husband banished me from home I sat numbly on a bench along the roadside during a deep and dark night and really didn't know what I should do. But I kept one thought in mind, "I am a practitioner. I will never give up cultivation." This simple thought sustained me. My husband ran out later on and asked me to come back home. I believed that was not only due to the strength of fellow practitioners' righteous thoughts, but also due to Master's compassion.
With continuous Fa study, cultivation and validating righteous thoughts, I am no longer the person today that I once was. Even if my husband cannot completely understand Dafa, he no longer intervenes in my Fa study, exercises, and sending righteous thoughts. My family atmosphere is harmonious.
In the meantime, I began to tell the facts about the persecution to former classmates, friends and colleagues. I have a specific approach: as I meet them frequently, especially my colleagues, I would gradually talk with them; today a little, no result; tomorrow a bit more, then the next day even more. I would calmly talk with them or once in a while give them some material whenever we are alone together to make it easier for them to accept without fear what I have to say and hand out.
Several years have passed. Most of my colleagues know the truth and have quit the Party. Some of them began to cultivate Dafa.
I treat myself strictly and remind myself at all times that I am a Dafa practitioner. I deal with everyone with kindness, peacefulness and the tolerance I cultivated from Dafa. My colleagues said, "I don't believe what the TV program said. I think that you are kind, and I believe you."
Looking back on my cultivation path, I have staggered along, and am far from the level of maturity Master referred to. Sometimes when I thought of Master I would cry and feel ashamed. But Master always compassionately protects me. My fellow practitioners, the only way we do not disappoint Master is by diligently cultivating. We should consider others first so as to attain "the righteous Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism." ("Non-Omission in Buddha-Nature," Essentials for Further Advancement)
(Clearwisdom.net) In interpersonal relationships, when people look down on us or talk behind our back or say bad words, it is an obvious indication that we need to do well in cultivation. It targets our human notions, and presents opportunities to improve ourselves.
This, however, is not so clear-cut during interactions with fellow practitioners. For example, say that one day you suddenly find that a practitioner whom you had always trusted and thought to be worthy had criticized you behind your back. You discovered that a practitioner whom you see every day and with whom you had been very open and honest, and with whom you shared your views and thoughts openly had frequently lied to you. She had even hidden insignificant things from you. When you compassionately pointed out a fellow practitioner's shortcomings, the other party did not take it to heart and even showed displeasure. Perhaps you had some suggestions you thought were good for Fa-rectification, but certain practitioners thought otherwise. Perhaps...
What should one do when encountering such incidents? Actually, many practitioners are aware that they are usually tolerant toward everyday people, but tend to be less forgiving with fellow practitioners. Why is this? I think it could be because we contemplate, "You are also a practitioner. How could you be like this? You should be strict with yourself. Even if I do something wrong, you should be forgiving toward me." In other words, we have higher expectations of fellow practitioners and forget that they also live among everyday people. Although they have cultivated well in certain areas, there are still things they have not cultivated away, and these things may show up.
Some practitioners could not resolve interpersonal conflicts amongst themselves for extended periods of time. Sometimes the coordinators themselves would lack tolerance among themselves. The conflicts thus became aggravated and increased. The loop-holes also became bigger, thus the evil could make use of them, which brought losses for Dafa and painful lessons for practitioners.
Why were we so indignant? Why did we have resentment? Why did we have hatred in our hearts? Why did we feel bullied? Why can't we be more forgiving? Why did we show displeasure? Why did we find it hard to forget the conflicts? Why...?
If we took a step back and looked, we would see that it was our "notions" that had been hurt. All notions in the human mind are based on "sentimentality," and it was this that was hurt. Sentimentality can easily result in hurt, while "compassion" can never bring this result. Sentimentality is a low-level element in the Three Realms, and we must eventually eliminate it. We are, after all, Dafa practitioners who will eventually reach Consummation at a high cosmic level, and who will be masters in the cosmos. So this is to say, that the things that were hurt were not at all ourselves, they are precisely what we need to eliminate. Since this is so, why are we still bearing grudges?
If our hearts are moved, then it must be because of sentimentality. How should we then deal with it in the future--when our hearts are uneasy and we feel hurt? Isn't this an opportunity to raise our xinxing level? We should have a light and easygoing mindset. With such a serene state of mind, we can better offer salvation to sentient beings. This is the most important task now!
(Clearwisdom.net) I am 49 years old and live in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, and I do not have much education. Before I started practicing Falun Gong, I tried to take advantage of others in order to gain fame and profit. My health was very poor because I suffered from anemia and severe gastroenteritis with diarrhea all year long. What frightened me most was that I had blood in my stool. I visited many doctors to get it treated and spent a lot of money on it, but my health just kept getting worse.
One day, a kind person told me that I would become healthy if I practiced Falun Dafa. I first thought that this was a bad idea because I had been poisoned by vicious propaganda spread by the Chinese Communist Party. However, the desire to live eventually caused me to try Falun Dafa.
I began to study the Fa and do the exercises in August 2007. As I studied every day, did the exercises, and lived according to the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance," I became less and less interested in fame and profit. I also no longer fought with others. Soon afterwards many of my diseases disappeared without my even noticing. I now feel liberated from pain. My friends and family all know what happened to me and they admire Falun Dafa.
On September 8, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., I was hit by a luxury car coming from the other direction while I was riding my bike. I lost consciousness immediately. I had a severe head injury and there was blood all over my face. People who saw the accident--especially the driver of the car--were so scared that they turned pale. They took me to the hospital emergency room. Although I could not speak, I was able to think a little and said to myself, "I am a Falun Gong practitioner. I am protected by Master. Everything will turn out fine. Master, please save my life."
Later I had surgery and the surgeon warned my family that it would probably be a week before I regained consciousness due to the severity of my injuries. He thought that I might remain in a vegetative state but I woke up on the second morning. I thought to myself, "I am a Dafa disciple. This is not the place for me. I will be fine." I told my family and the doctor, "I am OK. There is nothing wrong with me. I want to go home today."
The doctor and everyone else thought that it was unbelievable, but my family and friends knew that it was Master who saved my life. Dafa saved my life! Falun Dafa is good! I will keep cultivating Falun Dafa to the end!
(Clearwisdom.net) Editors' Note: Each time we publish news of this nature, we do so with heavy hearts. These people started off as public servants, but under the intense pressure applied by the Jiang regime, they were pushed into persecuting Dafa disciples. In the process of destroying the lives of kind, law-abiding citizens, they have sealed their own fates and inevitably faced karmic retribution as punishment. If it weren't for Jiang's wicked orders, perhaps their fates would have been different.
The Disastrous Demise of One Village Official
Xuyan Rong, a village Party Committee head from Xujiazhuang, Zhucheng City, Shandong Province, was ordered by the 610 Office to tear down banners reading "Falun Dafa is Good," and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is Good," which were posted on power line poles. He painted the slogans over with red paint. At the same time, he reported the names of those who practiced Falun Gong to the 610 Office. Those whom he had reported were arrested on December 10, 2005, and sentenced to three years of forced labor.
He played a bad role in the persecution of compassionate people and died suddenly of a heart attack on the morning of April 26, 2007. He was only 53 years old.
Karmic Retribution of a Communist Regime Official in Mengyin County, Shandong Province
Gong Pidong, male, around 40 years of age, was the Jiepai Town Communist Party secretary in Mengyin County, Shandong Province. On July 20 1999, when the persecution of Falun Gong began, Gong Pidong ordered other bad people to commit illegal acts against Falun Gong practitioners for personal financial gain and power. They ransacked the practitioners' houses, and persecuted practitioners by illegally arresting and fining them. As a result Gong Pidong destroyed himself. He contracted cancer at his young age. His assumed road to wealth and power had turned into a crooked path of sickness and death.
Zhang Debing, a government employee of Jiepai Town government, and the 610 Office head, behaved in a similar manner as Gong Pidong. On September 17, 2006, he used extortion money, got drunk, and was in a car accident and broke his bones. He was hospitalized.
Zhao Xiwen, Party secretary of Shangzhuang Administration Division in Jiepai Town, extorted innocent people's money, promising to stop giving them trouble if they paid the extortion money. Not long after, traveling along a highway north of his village he fell off his motorcycle. The motorcycle ran over him, crushing his testicles and handicapping him. He was rushed to the hospital for surgery.
In Chongqing, Karmic Retribution Catches Up with the Residential Committee Head who Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners
On October 6, 2007, neighbors discovered that the Wang family was conducting a funeral. The witness quoted, "When Wang Jingpu got up that morning he fell down and died. Although his family contacted emergency services, it was too late." The witness also stated, "He had walked around the day before without a problem. Today, he is dead!" This was actually the result of persecution he committed.
The residential committee head Wang Jingpu, 62 years old, from Shapingpa District, Chongqing, had been at the forefront of the persecution of Falun Gong ever since July 20, 1999, when the persecution began. He sent Falun Gong practitioners to brainwashing sessions and detention centers and kept a close eye on the activities of practitioners. He often created banners that slandered Falun Gong. He created another banner on September 30, 2007.
The practitioners had often clarified the truth to him and other relatives and friends who knew the truth tried to persuade him, citing the principle that good is rewarded with good and evil met with evil. But he didn't repent his evildoings, and thus received his due retribution.
(Clearwisdom.net) Editors' Note: Each time we publish news of this nature, we do so with heavy hearts. These people started off as public servants, but under the intense pressure applied by the Jiang regime, they were pushed into persecuting Dafa disciples. In the process of destroying the lives of kind, law-abiding citizens, they have sealed their own fates and inevitably faced karmic retribution as punishment. If it weren't for Jiang's wicked orders, perhaps their fates would have been different.
An Zhenxing, director of the Shijiazhuang City Police Sub-department of the Hi-tech Industry Development District in Hebei Province, was 53 years old and had been a police officer for over 20 years. From 1999 to 2003, when he was director of the Jingxing Mining Area Police Sub-department in Shijiazhuang City, he actively arrested and persecuted many Falun Gong practitioners. Around ten practitioners were illegally sentenced to forced labor camps or prison. Multiple practitioners were forced to become homeless. Due to his persecuting Falun Gong, he was promoted to director of the Shijiazhuang City Police Sub-department of the Hi-tech Industry Development District, during which time he continued his bad deeds. He frequently engaged in harassing practitioners in his district. He ransacked homes, arrested, or sent practitioners to forced labor camps.
It was said that An Zhenxing was hoping to be promoted to deputy director of Shijiazhuang City Police Department when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died in mid-September 2007.
Contact information:
Shijiazhuang City Police Sub-department of the Hi-tech Industry Development District: 86-311-85965062
Mao Weihua, secretary of the Political and Judiciary Committee
Lu Binzhi and Bai Tongkai, deputy directors
Hu Jianxin, director of the Political Division
Zhang Zhenjian, instructor with the State Security Division: 86-311-85186536
Liang Guoli, Legal and Law Section: 86-311-85188531
Xu Yuzhen, Public Security Section: 86-311-85168562
Criminal Police Division: 86-311-85188551
(Clearwisdom.net) For almost a thousand years, the moving and heroic stories of how Yue Fei served the country with utmost loyalty have been widely spread among the Chinese people. His words "Give back our rivers and mountains" have inspired the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation from generation to generation. The Chinese people highly respect the patriotic spirit Yue Fei demonstrated in recovering lost territory and guarding the country and the people. They are furiously indignant with court official Qin Hui's disgraceful conduct in betraying his country for selfish purposes and framing those who were loyal and upright.
Yue Fei's statue in the Yue Fei Mausoleum
Yue Fei was from Tangyin County in Xiangzhou, Henan Province, during the Southern Song period. He had lofty aspirations since childhood and was diligent and eager to learn. He was adept with both pen and sword. In 1126, the Jurchen Dynasty troops mounted a large-scale invasion into the Central Plain, and the Divine Land was shrouded in the dark clouds of war. Yue Fei joined up and started his military career to fight against the Jurchen invaders and wipe out a national disgrace. Before he set out, his mother tattooed four characters across his back that read, "Serve the country with the utmost loyalty," and told him that he must serve the country with the utmost loyalty throughout his life. This became Yue Fei's tenet, which he adhered to throughout his life. After Yue Fei joined the army he fought very courageously and was quickly promoted. Deputy marshal Zong Ze spoke highly of him saying, "No fine generals from ancient times could match his wisdom, bravery, and talent."
The Jurchen troops invaded Kaifeng City and captured Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, bringing an end to the Northern Song Dynasty. In the second year of the Reign of Jingkang, the Prince of Kang ascended to the throne and became Emperor Gaozong. He moved the capital city to Lin'an (today's Hangzhou City) and established the Southern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei submitted a written appeal to Emperor Gaozong, asking him to recover the lost territories. The Emperor did not listen and punished him by removing him from his position.
Yue Fei then went to seek refuge with General Zhang Suo in Hebei Province. He was appointed to be a commander in charge of the troops. He fought against the Jurchen invaders around the Taihang Mountains and distinguished himself in action, time and again.
The Jurchen troops commander-in-chief, Wuzhu, again launched an offensive to invade the Southern Song. Du Yun, the garrison commander in Jiankang, surrendered without a fight, and Emperor Gaozong was forced to flee to the sea.
Yue Fei commanded his isolated force to fight the Jurchen troops of Jin behind the enemy lines. First he defeated the rear guard troops of Jin, winning all six battles. When the Jurchen troops attacked Changzhou, Yue Fei led his army to assist the Song troops and won all four battles. The next year Yue Fei ambushed the Jurchen troops in the Niutou Mountains and defeated Jin Wuzhu's army, and recovered Jiankang (today's Nanjing City). The Jurchen troops were forced to retreat. By then, Yue Fei had become a well-known hero in both the north and the south and had gained great fame and prestige. Yue Fei was the commander of an army that numbered in the tens of thousands of soldiers who were well-known for their strict discipline and bravery.
In the third year in Shaoxing, Yue Fei led his troops up north again and recovered six counties, including Xiangyang. He was promoted to the governorship of Qingyuanjun. In the third year of Shaoxing, Yue Fei again led his troops up north and soon took Yiyang, Luoyang, Shangzhou, and Guozhou, and further surrounded the Chen and Cai regions. However, Yue Fei soon realized that his troops were an isolated force, penetrating deep into the enemy's occupied areas. He had neither reinforcements nor sufficient provisions and had to retreat to Ezhou (today's Wuchang City in Hubei Province). During this northern expedition Yue Fei sensed he had not realized his aspirations and wrote his age-old poetic masterpiece - "Man Jiang Hong:"
"My wrath bristles through my helmet, the rain stops as I stand by the rail.
I look up towards the sky and let loose a passionate roar.
At age thirty my deeds are nothing but dust, my journey has taken me over eight thousand li (1).
So do not sit by idly, for young men will grow old in regret.
The humiliation of Jingkang still lingers.
When will the pain of his subjects ever end?
Let us ride our chariots through the Helan Pass.
There we shall feast and drink barbarian flesh and blood.
Let us begin anew to recover our old empire, before paying tribute to the Emperor."
Yue Fei's poem expressed his strong will to serve his country by retaking the lost territories and unifying the Dynasty, so that peace and prosperity could be assured. It also showed his confidence in victory.
In the seventh year of Shaoxing, Yue Fei was promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the whole army. He suggested to Emperor Gaozong time and again to recover Central China, but Emperor Gaozong rejected all his proposals. In the ninth year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong and Qin Hui held peace talks with representatives from the Jin Dynasty and agreed to become Jin's subject state and pay tribute to Jin.
Qin Hui had by then already become Jin's agent and took betraying the Southern Song Dynasty as his duty. Yue Fei felt extremely indignant and petitioned the Emperor to allow him to "end his military duties and retreat to the country" as a protest. The next year, Wuzhu tore up the peace agreement and launched a large-scale offensive toward the south. Yue Fei received orders to fight back. He soon recovered Zhengzhou and Luoyang and defeated the crack mounted troops of Jin in Yancheng. He pushed on in the flush of victory and occupied Zhuxianzhen, with Kaifeng City being only 45 kilometers away. Wuzhu was forced to retreat into Kaifeng, and the morale of his troops was extremely low. They sighed, "It's easier to shake Mount Tai than to shake Yue Fei's army," and dared not to fight with Yue Fei's army.
Yue Fei had outstanding strategic skills and commanded his troops with strict discipline. At the same time he cared for and loved the people as his own family members. His troops were known for their exemplary conduct, "Do not pull down a house for firewood, even if we die from cold. Do not rob people, even if we starve to death." Yue Fei personally commanded 126 battles, without even one defeat. He was truly an ever-victorious general.
In Zhuxianzhen, Yue Fei joined forces with General Han Shizhong and a few others, preparing to cross the Yellow River to recover more lost territories and drive straight on to Huanglongfu. Yue Fei said excitedly to the generals, "Let's drive straight on to Huanglongfu and toast together!" Just then, Qin Hui became supremely fearful of Yue Fei's success in his northern expedition. He urged Emperor Gaozong to issue 12 orders in a day to force Yue Fei to retreat. Yue Fei could not restrain his anger and looked up to the sky and sighed deeply, "Ten years of hard work destroyed in a moment! All those recovered cities and towns will be lost in a day! The land of our country--rivers and mountains--will never be revived! Heaven and earth will never be the same again!" When Yue Fei followed orders and retreated, the people in the Central Plain blocked his troops and horses. The sound of wailing could be heard everywhere. Yue Fei could not help weeping himself.
After Yue Fei returned to Lin'an, Qin Hui wanted to murder him. He framed Yue Fei, saying that he, Yue Fei, had conspired against the Dynasty. Qin Hui put Yue Fei in prison and tortured him ruthlessly, attempting to obtain confessions. Yue Fei wrote, "The humiliation of Jingkang is still there, the emperor and court officials were hunting in the north, and the people had become homeless. It was fortunate that our Emperor moved south and settled in Jinling, and was able to re-create heaven and earth. Yet, he does not consider the situation that the two emperors were ignored in the desert, and he connives with his favorite court official to manipulate power for personal ends. I broke an arrow as I made a pledge to meet all generals. The east is linked with islands in the sea. I would follow Li Ji's example to expedite east across the sea. To the south as far as Dianchi, like Zhuge, I would cross the River Lu and penetrate deep. I admire Ban Chao for his achievements in opening up land and territory, and I am envious of Ping Zhong's establishment of cities and fortresses. I want to drive straight on to Huanglong to welcome back the two emperors, and to unify Central China. These have been my aspirations and goals all along. Today, the treacherous court official plots to kill the honest and the loyal, and framed me by saying that I conspired against the court. Heaven is selfless and will punish the treacherous official in the prime minister's residence, and the underworld will make its power felt and capture the judge of Dalisi to verify right and wrong."
Qin Hui could not find any evidence against Yue Fei, so he decided to kill Yue Fei based on a fabricated charge. On the eve of the 1142 New Year, on December 29, Qin Hui and his wife, Wang, carried out a clandestine plot. They wrote an order on a small piece of paper and passed it to the prison guards, ordering them to secretly kill the imprisoned Yue Fei. Before he was killed at Fengbo Pavilion in Dalisi, Yue Fei picked up a brush and wrote eight big characters, "The sky and the sun are all too clear [of my innocence]." Yue Fei's son, Yue Yun, and General Zhang Xian were also killed along with him. Yue Fei was only 39 years old when he died.
Yue Fei's fame was restored only after Song Emperor Xiaozong became enthroned. He was posthumously conferred the title of "King of E."
Yue Fei remained faithful and unyielding to the end of his life. He defeated the Jurchen invaders and safeguarded the Central Plain and Chinese civilization. He laid down his life for a just cause and upheld an ethical code of conduct. Yue Fei's glorious achievements have lasted for thousands of years and are deeply engraved on the minds of the Chinese people.
Artisans fashioned iron statues of treacherous Qin Hui and his accomplices, depicting them kneeling down forever in front of Yue Fei's tomb, with their hands tied behind them. People have for centuries cursed and spat on these statues.
In today's China, evil has appeared again. Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Communist regime are persecuting Falun Gong and more than 100 million good people who believe in "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." Treacherous Jiang Zemin and the evil Party will also be eternally disgraced and cursed and spat upon. They will go down in history as the byword of infamy for ten thousand years!
Qin Hui and his wife kneeling down in front of Yue Fei's tomb
A poem reads:
"The Loyal general died an unjust death for his country,
the heavenly laws were clear and took a pity.
He left behind a history of justice,
right and wrong are embedded in the human world for a thousand years."
Another poem reads:
"Evil Qin Hui will be condemned for ten thousand years,
Loyal Yue Fei is still remembered after a thousand years.
The sun and the moon shine in praise of his bravery,
heaven and earth certify his innocence!"
Note:
(1) Li - A Chinese unit of measurement. Two li equals one kilometer (0.6 mi.).
(Clearwisdom.net) A "solemn declaration" is a person's public statement declaring to the world that whatever he or she has done or said under duress or deception that was against Falun Dafa is null and void. Most of these statements have come from Falun Dafa practitioners in China who wished to express regret that, in the face of physical torture and brainwashing, they had signed documents renouncing Dafa and guaranteeing not to practice again. Also, as more and more people in China learn the truth about how they have been deceived and lied to by the Jiang regime, many non-practitioners are also submitting "solemn declarations."
Here are some examples of the Solemn Declarations:
Please click here for more Solemn Declarations
(Clearwisdom.net) More and more people in China are awakening to the truth and realizing that they were deceived by Jiang and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into participating in the persecution of Falun Gong, either directly as government officials, police, labor camp guards, etc., or indirectly as practitioners' family members, who in many cases may have cursed Dafa, burned Dafa books, or interfered in various other ways to prevent practitioners from following their beliefs. As a result of this awakening, the Minghui/ Clearwisdom website is receiving increasing numbers of heartfelt messages from non-practitioners who wish to publicly express remorse for their wrongdoing and announce their intention to rectify their words and deeds in the future. The editors will periodically choose representative messages of this type and publish them as articles entitled, "Solemn Statements from Non-Practitioners."
Here are some examples of the Solemn Declarations:
Please click here for more Solemn Declarations.
