NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular

• Toronto Audience Enjoys the Chinese New Year Spectacular and Pays Attention to China and Chinese Culture (Photos)
• Los Angeles: The Divine Performing Arts Successfully Holds Four Shows of NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular (Photos)
• Sponsor from The Denver News: "We'd Sponsor It Again in a Heartbeat, Please Come Back"
• Chinese Person from Beijing: "I Cried During the Show" (Photo)
• Bob Bose, a Theater Critic in Denver: "Very Beautiful Spiritual Dances"
• Union Secretary: "The Dance about Falun Gong Touched My Heart" (Photos)
• San Diego: "It Was Very Uplifting, a Great Way to Bring in the New Year"
• San Diego: A Japanese Family Gives the New Year Spectacular High Marks

Voices of Support

• Chicago: Illinois State House of Representatives Passes Resolution to Honor and Express Support for the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular
• Chicago: Mayor Richard M. Daly and City Council Pass a Resolution in Support of the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular

Open Forum

• Overwhelming Audience Feedback Underscores CCP's Ludicrous Attempts to Interfere with Divine Performing Arts' Shows (Part 2)
• Chinese New Year Spectacular Receives Warm Feedback and Rave Reviews in Canada (Photos)

Facts of the Persecution

• Guards in Xindian Forced Labor Camp in Taiyuan City Order Drug Addict Inmates to Persecute Mr. Wei Jianzhou
• Mr. Xie Tianyou from Dezhou City, Shandong Province, Sent to Guanzhuang No. 2 Forced Labor Camp
• Court of Zhongshan City in Guangdong Province, Illegally Sentences Ms. Huang Xingyao to Three Years in Prison
• Additional Persecution News from China - January 4, 2008 (34 Reports)
• Additional Persecution News from China - January 10, 2008 (43 Reports)

People's Hearts Determine Their Futures

• Three Policemen in Wuhan City Killed in a Car Accident on Their Way to Arrest a Practitioner

Practitioners Exchange Insights and Experiences

• Give Up Human Notions and Save Sentient Beings
• Raising My Level During the Fa-Rectification Cultivation Era
• Practitioners Should Not Be Attached to Gaining Insights or Guidance from Their Dreams

Solemn Declarations

• 42 People Declare that their Words and Deeds Under Forced Brainwashing are Null and Void
• 285 Awakened Non-Practitioners' Solemn Statements

(Clearwisdom.net) NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular came to Toronto on January 18, 2008.

Bakery owner Ms. Lian brought her four daughters to the show. She said that the purpose was to have her children find out about Chinese traditional culture and China's different ethnic groups. "I believe that they will benefit from seeing the show, since they have grown up here." Ms. Lian said, "I was especially interested in the story of the two youths who took shelter in a temple. The backdrops seemed real and the costumes were first rate. The lessons of the story were very educational."

Ms. Lian thought that the show was valuable for her children

Mary Huang and her daughter, Milly, enjoyed the show

Ms. Mary Huang came from Beijing and has resided in Canada for eight years. She brought her daughter to the show. Ms. Huang said, "This was the first time I have seen the show, and I have a very good feeling about it. It is important to help our children get to know Chinese traditional culture and the concept of Chinese New Year. The children growing up here need this kind of education."

Milly added that she liked the "Drummers of the Tang Court" because of the exciting coordination between the dancing and the music.

Mr. Gao Lan is a musician and conductor and is making a documentary film about China. He said that many people only know about China's economic development, but not the real China. "Our responsibility is to let the world know about the real China. This performance is doing this, and so am I." Mr. Gao said. "After seeing the show, I feel refreshed. In the future, I'll attend the performance whenever I can."

Mr. Clyde McNeil is a broadcaster for CHN radio station. He said, "This was my second time to see the show, and I still like it. It was wonderful."

Mr. Clyde McNeil and his nephew, Tyrese Tyrell, enjoyed the show

Mr. McNeil said that the performance about Falun Gong was presented very well--in a way that the audience could understand the story. "Today's show was outstanding work. The performers worked well together, and the colors were beautiful." "I hope everyone will come to see the show, enrich their knowledge of Chinese traditional culture, and benefit from it. At the same time, they can understand what is happening in China, which ties it to the rest of the world." Mr. McNeil's nephew, Tyrese, said, "I liked the show a lot, because it told a lot of ancient stories. The most touching ones were about how to deal with others and how to act in the face of adversity."

Mr. Phillip Shadbolt is a salesman for Rogers, and it was his third time to see the show. He said that the choreography, costumes, music and the show's overall effect were very nice. He pointed out that it included a great deal of historical and ethnic content, such as dances from the Qing Dynasty and Mongolia. Mr. Shadbolt said, "I could understand the programs better because my wife is Chinese. The performance about Falun Gong was outstanding. I always appreciate what Falun Gong has done. They let the world know what is happening in China. It's important to let Canadians know about the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of people in China."

Mr. William Juranic praised the show

Mr. William Juranic, a Director at George Brown College, praised the show, "Like the name of the show, 'spectacular.'" Mr. Juranic said that it was the first time he had ever seen a Chinese artistic performance, and the descriptions in the program and by the hosts helped a lot.

(Clearwisdom.net) On January 20, 2008, the Divine Performing Arts successfully held the last show of NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular in Los Angeles. The theatre was packed. Several thousand people from different cultures and of different ages watched the show.

Audience members of all ages watch the show

Li Juxian, a Chinese dancer, said: "I am proud of the performers."

Li Juxian, a Chinese dancer, emigrated from Shanghai six years ago. During the intermission, she told a reporter: "I am very happy to see the show today. I am proud of the performers, who demonstrated our rich culture so well. It is so exciting!"

"I used to be a Chinese dancer in a performing arts troupe in Xinjiang, so I am familiar with the movements in Chinese dance. The show reminded me of my stage life," said Ms. Li. She added, "Most of the young performers grew up in America, so I am surprised that they understand the Chinese culture so well and performed so well."

Ms. Li liked the dance "Chang'e" and the drum dance, and highly praised the music, costumes and the background design. She said, "The show manifested our ancient culture and the current situation, such as the persecution of Falun Gong, very well."

Noritushi Kanai

Noritushi Kanai, an older Japanese gentleman, told a reporter after the show: "It was very powerful and very unique." He praised the dancers, music and vocal performances.

Mr. Kanai said: "The best aspect of the show is 'truthfulness,' which is a very precious value and theme."

Han Meiling, a Chinese-Thai, came to the show with her friends

Han Meiling, a Chinese-Thai, came to the show with eight friends. She told a reporter: "The show was fabulous. The dances, music and stories were all beautiful and touching."

Ms. Han is half Chinese and half Thai. She expressed an appreciation for the culture in the Tang Dynasty. "The show perfectly manifested the Tang Dynasty culture and teaches people compassion and to respect Buddha. It is very good."

From right to left: Jack Yung, his mother, his wife Maria Yung, and Maria's brother came to the show together

Jack Yung brought his family to the show. His wife, Maria, told a reporter that the show was so beautiful and she was glad to be there. It was even better than she had hoped and she learned a great deal about Chinese culture.

Maria is American, and her husband Jack is an American-born Chinese. Jack said he doesn't know very much about Chinese culture because he was born and grew up in America, but he liked the show very much.

(Clearwisdom.net) The Chinese New Year Spectacular is the largest celebration of the Chinese New Year in the world. Divine Performing Arts based in New York City will perform in 65 cities around the world and reach approximately 650,000 attendees worldwide. In reviving ancient Chinese culture, it takes you back 5,000 years into ancient China in two unforgettable hours.

Audience members in Denver, Colorado, who were interviewed after the show, were very excited about the splendor and the messages this show brought forward.

Samantha Martel publishes the downtown Denver News, which has been the local newspaper for the last 15 years. She and Kelly Ellward, who is the account manager for this newspaper, and Ann, who is the director of marketing for the same newspaper, attended the show. The Denver News is one of the sponsors of the Spectacular and after the show, Samantha said, "We are one of the sponsors for this year's event and we wanted to say it truly was a spectacular show. We are so honored that they came to Denver and let us be a part of it."

She was impressed by the show and explained that it was very touching, and that it was more than about just one particular culture. She also said that it was humanitarian and it touched upon lots of bases of human nature and passion. Also about immunity and doing what is right, what one feels in one's heart, she said that it was completely inspirational and that the costumes and the music were just really beautiful.

Kelly and Ann were asked how they liked the show, and they said that it was very informative too, and that they had not known many things they had learned tonight. They enjoyed how the two announcers always explained what the next performance was about.

When they were asked what made them decide to sponsor this show, the reply was, "Renee came to us; she showed us your video about the group, traveling around with them doing the show. Our hearts just felt the message they are trying to convey and we just wanted to be a part of that. And that's how it happened."

When asked if they would sponsor the show again, they replied, "We'd do it again in a heartbeat. Please come back. It was absolutely wonderful. Hopefully we can do the same thing next year for the Chinese New Year."

Fletcher from Denver said that he loved the show, that it is beautiful and that it obviously has a rich history that one can appreciate. The music and dancing were amazing and really beautiful. He had seen an advertisement in the newspaper and decided to watch it.

Fletcher had bought a ticket for a lady friend, who accompanied him to the show, and she said, "He brought me here for my birthday." When she was asked how she liked the gift, she replied, "Oh, it's a wonderful gift." She also said that the show was very powerful.

Ken Roberts, a Denver resident, said, "It was outstanding, really outstanding. I enjoyed every minute of it. My wife is Chinese and our friends are Chinese as well, that's my lovely wife Ada there." When she was asked about the performance, she replied, "I really liked every minute of it; I thought they were extremely professional. I think it was all great."

(Clearwisdom.net) On January 20, Divine Performing Arts held the fourth performance of the NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular in Toronto. Mr. Liu from Beijing said, "I cried during the show."

Mr. Liu from Beijing

Mr. Liu came to Canada from Beijing two years ago. He told this reporter how impressed he was with the show: "It is really amazing. The show is splendid. As a Chinese, I am proud of it. The performers are unique. They are real Chinese."

During the intermission, when a reporter asked Mr. Liu if he would like to be interviewed, he was very pleased and said, "I have been waiting for an interview!"

When asked which part of the performance he found the most touching and impressive one, Mr. Liu said, "The program about Falun Gong. It exposed the persecution. The actors' costumes and movements were very vivid. They perfectly showed how brutal the Chinese policemen are. But I think the dance didn't fully show how bloody the persecution of Falun Gong is."

When the reporter asked him to clarify, Mr. Liu said, "For example, we've all heard about, and some media have also reported about the organ harvesting. It was not exposed in the show. I think it should be exposed."

After the show, the reporter ran into Mr. Liu again and asked him what he thought about the second half of the show.

Mr. Liu responded, "The second half is fabulous! The most impressive ones are in the second half. I cried during the dance, 'The Power of Awareness.' It was very moving when all the people overcame their fear and selfishness and said 'no' to the policemen. I was deeply touched."

(Clearwisdom.net) On January 12, 2008, the Divine Performing Arts' Chinese New Year Spectacular presented two shows at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Nearly 5,000 Western and Chinese audience members attended. Many expressed their great appreciation for the show.

Bob Bose, a theater critic in Denver, said, "I write for a variety of magazines, one a national entertainment magazine here in the States. I do a couple of interviews and reviews every month for the Denver Post, also KUVO, which is the jazz public radio station here, and for my own website. So I guess my first impression is that 2,500 years ago, philosopher Aristotle wrote about theater or wrote about the important elements from ancient theater and so the most obvious element here is spectacle, I think. You've got all of these marvelous costumes and traditional and modern orchestration, meaning some traditional Chinese and some Western music. The dances were really wonderful, a little different than what we are experiencing here in the West."

He continued, "There is a lot of wisdom in the teachings here. I was interested in what we call the libretto, the actual lyrics to the music and such, so I enjoyed that a lot. Each part in each piece has its own meaning in Chinese culture."

When he was asked what impressed him most, he replied, "I think just the whole range of it, from the drums, which were very exciting to a couple of martial arts segments that were very strong and the other parts that were very beautiful spiritual dances. I think it was really the whole thing--the whole range--that impressed me."

Mr. Ricki Martinez said, "I really enjoyed this show tonight, because it was like a fresh message. It was like a New Year's salute to everyone. I really liked it. I really liked the drums and the part about the plains of Siberia. It was a combination of colors, beauty, delicacy, and harmony." When he was asked about his impression of China, he replied, "It's different from I saw in the show today. (Today's show was) very oriental but it had a very impressive message for the rest of the world."

He continued, "I wish I would have seen this show prior to writing the resolutions I did several years ago. There is a lot of history here, but when you talk about if the show is accurate, it couldn't have been better. The costumes and the people, the action, I mean, it was great. We have been to both Mongolia and China. I have ridden one of those Mongolian horses. So I know it wasn't nearly as smooth as it was on the stage, but anyhow, you got a lot of history there. You tell a story and that's what's so great about it. It's just wonderful. That's all there is to it."

Mr. Martinez's wife, Pat, said that she felt the same way. "The culture comes out, there are so many different kinds, and they all blend together." Ricky said again, "It's just so much history and culture there and you want to maintain it like it used to be and not where it may be going today."

He was asked how he felt about the two programs about Falun Gong, since he had written several resolutions for Falun Gong. He replied, "Well, I'm glad to do it. One thing about it, I guess back in my day, when I joined the Marine Corps, I joined to protect people."

When the reporter asked another couple which programs they liked the best, the husband replied, "They all go together. They're great, because they all tell a story, each one of them. You put them all together and that's the whole story. They all are very talented. You can read the words up there and that tells the story. It blended right in. I think it was great. I wish I had seen them all along, back to 2004. Here it is 2008 and this is our first time in Denver. Do they change this a little bit?" He was told that every year, there will be some different dances and music, but basically it is all about 5,000 years of Chinese culture. The show will be performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York and will be different than the Denver performance. He then replied, "Well, we will have to come and see it next year." His wife said, "Yes, it was really great. Thank you for bringing it here."

(Clearwisdom.net) On January 20, the last performance of the NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular in Los Angeles drew a large audience. Loren Kori, secretary for a workers union, and her husband, John Kori, told a reporter that they both enjoyed the show very much. Loren said the piece which described the persecution of Falun Gong deeply touched her heart.

Loren Kori found the show to be very moving

Loren was impressed by the dance which described the persecution of Falun Gong and the suffering of practitioners. She said that since she already knew about the persecution, she was deeply moved by the dance.

Loren told reporter that she had read about the persecution in the Epoch Times newspaper. She also learned about the trend of quitting the communist party from the same newspaper. She is very glad that Falun Gong practitioners have the freedom to practice as they choose in America.

Craig Lee, a former manager for Mercedes-Benz and his fiance Terri Ma

Craig Lee, a former manager for Mercedes-Benz, attended the performance with his fiancée Terri Ma. Craig said that this was his first time to see such a show and he thought it was excellent. He commented on the dance, "The Power of Awareness." He said he had heard about the persecution of Falun Gong, but only on the surface level. He has sympathy for Falun Gong practitioners. He hopes that more people can learn the truth about the persecution and that the persecution will stop as soon as possible.

(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts company arrived in San Diego on January 15, 2008. Their first presentation of the Chinese New Year Spectacular in California was held at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Four shows were presented from January 15 to 17.

Terry Funk, who works for San Diego County, described the show: "I thought it was just beautifully performed." When asked about her impressions, she stated, "I just had an enjoyable evening, it was wonderfully performed. It was very inspirational. I'd do it again."

When the reporter told her that this was the last performance in the city, she asked, "Aren't they coming back again next year? I will come back next year." She also mentioned that she would bring friends with her the next time. When asked what she liked most, she said, "Oh, I liked the fan dancers and there was one in the beginning with the waves. I think they called it the 'Nymphs of the Seas.' I really liked that one. It was just so beautifully performed. I loved the costumes and just everything about it. It was well worth it, I think."

When she was asked about the songs and the music, she replied, "Oh, yes, the tenor was fantastic! I forgot his name, but he was wonderful. They had a baritone and a tenor and a soprano, right? And I liked the lady with the instrument, I'm not sure what that instrument is called, but it was beautiful!" She mentioned that she learned about Chinese culture from the show and said, "It was very uplifting, a great way to bring in the New Year."

Ms. Funk mentioned that the "Power of Awareness" was the most effective story and said, "Oh, the one about forbearance, I am not sure what all it was called, but I loved it. It had a great message and was beautifully performed. I'm trying to think of exactly what touched me about it, it was just very moving. How in the end the community stood up for the people that were suffering from that oppression, or from that injustice. They resisted it, everyone together resisted, it was great!"

(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts gave four performances of their Chinese New Year Spectacular at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido from January 15 to 17.

The performances received high praise from members of the San Diego-area audience. People interviewed afterwards shared their perceptions and mentioned that they enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture.

A Japanese family residing in San Diego came together to watch the show. When asked how they liked it, Naomi, a member of the family, said with excitement, "It was great. I especially liked the costumes--and the dancing was just incredible. I don't even know how to explain it, it was so wonderful."

She told the reporter about her favorite program: "I did like the men doing the drums, it was just something totally different. Also the ladies with the bowls on their heads--the Mongolian Bowl Dance--that was great, too."

Naomi saw the show two years ago and stated, "Well, they did a lot of things a little different from the last time they were here. Just seeing it from the beginning, it's like 'WOW, this is great, this is going to be a great show,' you know."

The reporter asked Takendo, another family member, how he felt about the show and he replied, "I got a feeling for how different Chinese history and Chinese culture are from Japanese history and culture. It's very, very pretty--the costumes, the dancing, the back screen." He also mentioned that this culture seemed familiar to him, and said, "Very nice, it's great."

Aragon, who retired from the US Navy, and his wife, Cora, attended the show along with their daughter. He was excited about the show and told the reporter, "Oh, very, very good, outstanding, excellent." His wife commented, "Very good, excellent, very entertaining, it's nice." Aragon also stated that he liked all the performances and that he had never seen one like this one before.

When he was asked what he liked best, he said, "Everything, everything!" His wife agreed with him.

The reporter asked the couple whether they understood the meanings behind the stories, and they replied that they understood all of it. They also learned from the stories that, "They are good people," he said, referring to the Falun Gong practitioners.

Aragon told the reporter that he served his country for 30 years, and sailed during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. During his service he was in Hong Kong and is familiar with Chinese culture. He also saw some shows while he was there. He mentioned that there are a many Chinese people in the Philippines, so he had some interactions with them.

He introduced his daughter, Grace Barley, and the reporter asked her about her impression of the show. "Nothing like we have ever seen. We truly enjoyed it."

Grace is a manager of a corporation in San Diego and said that she liked the entire performance. The family found out about the show when they were at a school in Balboa, and someone passed out a flyer. They decided then and there to attend.

She said that she would recommend the show to everyone and she will come again next year and bring some friends. She also mentioned that it is very educational and that she wanted more people to know about it.

(Clearwisdom.net) The NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular, performed by the Divine Performing Arts, will be staged at the Arie Crown Theatre, Chicago, IL, on Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26, 2008.

On January 17, 2008, the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Fifth General Assembly of the State of Illinois passed a resolution to honor and express their support for the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular.

The resolution pointed out: "The Chinese Communist Party has destroyed traditional morality and beliefs, leaving a spiritual and ethical void in China."

The resolution also commended the show, stating: "The Spectacular, a presentation of genuine Chinese culture free of the culture of the Communist Party, showcases a renaissance and reclamation of the long-lost treasures of China" "The Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association is dedicated to the promotion and practice of the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance," and endeavors to extend far and wide these most precious and noble human ideals."

Below is the text of the resolution.

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular, held at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago on January 25 and 26, 2008; and

WHEREAS, The Chinese New Year is the most colorful and important of China's fetes and the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Singaporean peoples celebrate their ancient traditions through family reunions and performing arts; and

WHEREAS, The 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular will span over 60 major cities in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, with an expected attendance of 500,000 people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, The 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular in Chicago aims to be a showcase of traditional Chinese culture, a platform for cross-cultural understanding between the East and West, and a unifying event for all people interested in Chinese culture; and

WHEREAS, For 5,000 years of Chinese history, China's divinely imparted culture, including Chinese dance, music, and other art forms, was continuously refined as its elegance developed; and

WHEREAS, The Chinese Communist Party has destroyed traditional morality and beliefs, leaving a spiritual and ethical void in China; and

WHEREAS, The Spectacular, a presentation of genuine Chinese culture free of the culture of the Communist Party, showcases a renaissance and reclamation of the long-lost treasures of China; and

WHEREAS, The 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular is co-hosted by the Sound of Hope Radio and Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association; and

WHEREAS, The Sound of Hope Radio is an independent Chinese-language media company and a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating cross-cultural communications between the East and West, and to assisting the public in their search for valuable cultural knowledge; and

WHEREAS, The Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association is dedicated to the promotion and practice of the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance," and endeavors to extend far and wide these most precious and noble human ideals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor and express our support for the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chinese New Year Spectacular Organizing Committee.

English original available at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/HR/09500HR0914.htm

(Clearwisdom.net) NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular, performed by the Divine Performing Arts, will be presented at the Arie Crown Theatre at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, on Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26, 2008.

On January 9, 2008, Mayor Daly and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago passed a resolution to extend to the members of the Sound of Hope Organization and the Chinese New Year Spectacular Organizing Committee in Chicago their sincerest congratulations and support for the 2008 Chinese New Year Global Spectacular festivities, as well as their best wishes for continued success in all of their endeavors.

WHEREAS, the Chinese New Year Spectacular Organizing Committee in Chicago will celebrate their 3rd annual Chinese New Year Celebration in January, 2008; and

WHEREAS, the Chinese New Year is the most colorful and important of China's festivals and the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese celebrate their ancient tradition through family reunions and performing arts; and

WHEREAS, the Sound of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitate cultural communications between the East and the West, and to assist the public in their search for valuable cultural knowledge; and

WHEREAS, the Sound of Hope aims to enrich the lives of the public and to promote racial harmony through media pluralism and cross cultural understanding; and

WHEREAS, the Sound of Hope has organized the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular to perform three live shows here in Chicago on Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26, 2008, at Arie Crown Theatre at McCormick Place; and

WHEREAS, the core values of Chinese culture: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness were discarded in China's Cultural Revolution; and

WHEREAS, the Spectacular, entitled "Myths and Legends," presents genuine Chinese culture without Communist Party culture and showcases a renaissance and a reclamation of the long-lost treasures of China; and

WHEREAS, the Spectacular provides a platform for cross-cultural understanding between the East and the West, and a unifying event for all people interested in Chinese culture; and

WHEREAS, renowned international artists will be invited to perform on the same stage; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOVLED, that we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this 9th Day of January in 2008, do hereby extend to the members of the Sound of Hope Organization and the Chinese New Year Spectacular Organizing Committee in Chicago our sincerest congratulations and support for the 2008 Chinese New Year Global Spectacular festivities, as well as our best wishes for continued success in all of their endeavors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be made available to the Sound of Hope Organization and the Chinese New Year Spectacular Organizing Committee in Chicago.

Signed,

Richard M. Daly, Mayor

January 9, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net) Part 1: http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2008/1/20/93445.html

3. The Divine Performing Arts Show Embodies Traditional Chinese Values

"From the start, I found it very artistic, like watching a beautiful view with a musical background; then more and more contents were revealed. When the three characters, 'Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance' appeared on the sky screen, I felt it reaching its peak, connecting ancient history with today. I saw the glorious victory." (Kathy J. Segal, a psychologist from Philadelphia)

"Every number on the program is extremely beautiful and sensational. The most meaningful aspect was the emphasis on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and the power it brings to the world." (Huang Zhenyu, a reporter/columnist from New York)

"From the first part of the show, 'Descent of the Celestial Kings' to the last one, 'Drummers of the Tang Court,' the whole performance shows a delicate and magnificent atmosphere, demonstrating pure kindness and respect for divine beings and virtue. It presents the power of new life and hope to all people." (Guo Jingzi, critic from New York)

"If people want to see a professional show with beautiful costumes, skilled dancing, high morality, and good stories, this show should be highly recommended." (Edward Charles, Board Member of John Creek Business Association in Georgia, USA, in charge of Music and Arts)

"When the three characters, 'Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance' appeared on the screen, we were stunned, feeling that the characters were very meaningful and with a powerful message." (Lou and Barbara Young, an elderly couple from Dallas)

Renowned economist Cheng Xiaonong stated, "The show opens a new era and presents Chinese traditional culture without any trace of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) culture. It is what people need now."

Professor Roderic Gorney is a psychology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. He said that the messages conveyed in the show, such as honesty and compassion, are universal values that everybody should follow. They are common values in both East and West.

In late 2007, one incident became the most popular topic on Chinese websites: a well-known TV hostess went uninvited to a press conference on the Olympics broadcast through China Central Television and exposed her husband, who was one of the major figures at the conference, about his extra-marital affairs. The hostess cited several times the words of a French diplomat, that before she could export her values, China could never become a great nation. This incident stimulated a discussion about "values." As a body, Chinese society has lost its traditional values. Cheap products exported by China all over the world cannot make China a truly great nation.

Although the Chinese Communist Party has been trying hard to create the image of a great country, the country is facing a crisis of moral decline under the banner of economic development. An article in the Wall Street Journal stated that in today's China, where communism had failed, "getting rich" is the belief of most Chinese. China is heading in a frightening direction because people are not bound by morality, belief, and law; the society is not monitored by a free media; and the materialistic worship of money has become the mainstream ideal and national "religion."

Where are traditional Chinese values? They lie in the traditional culture that has been abandoned by the CCP. The culture of five thousand years has established many virtues such as honesty, kindness, forbearance, mercifulness, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and loyalty. The efforts of Divine Performing Arts are to demonstrate traditional Chinese values and to rejuvenate traditional Chinese culture, which must be the root and foundation of China's rejuvenation.

Christine Walevska, a world-renowned cellist, said that the Divine Performing Arts shows are worth watching a hundred times. She greatly appreciated the spiritual forces projected by the show.

Ms. Lin Xilin, a renowned "Rightist" [persecuted for years by the CCP] in China and former correspondent for China Youth Daily, said: "The show displays solemn divine kingdoms, the graceful Qing Dynasty palace and the current China proper. It shows righteousness conquering evil. It also displays images from the great Tang dynasty battlefield, to the flower blossoms of the Southern China water townships, to the dreamy realms of Western musical serenades." She also said, "What attracted me to watch the Divine Performing Arts shows repeatedly? What touched my soul so deeply? Watching Divine Performing Arts perform is like a baptism that purifies the soul."

Fred Kaminski, a professional actor in New York, pointed out that the whole show had a highly rich sensitivity. He could feel energy from higher levels. Messages conveyed by the dance dramas can penetrate through to people's hearts and souls and touch the best side of humanity.

Peter Redmond is a chiropractor in Philadelphia. He said: "In the show, it seemed I could touch this huge energy at any time. I saw beings struggle between humanity and the divine. The lyrics have much wisdom."

Mr. Jiang Wei, an elderly Chinese man in Dallas, Texas, said the Divine Performing Arts show is vivid and perfectly satisfying.

Kathy J. Segal, a psychologist in Philadelphia, commented that the show was really excellent, spanning time, space and cultures. The show was sensitive and poetic. She said that the visual effects were very beautiful, seemingly coming from another world.

Carolina Escobar, CEO of a New York company said: "The whole show is marvelous, pleasing and peaceful. At the same time, the show is touching, touching deep into people's hearts."

Woody Hunder, a former US Navy captain said: "I love the theme of the whole show. When I heard the song, 'But a Moment's Chance,' I was very moved. I felt the song came just for me. I felt that God came down to me."

"The show presented a state of purity, especially on the spiritual level. What moves me the most in the show is Gods sacrificing themselves to save the world when the world's morality is deteriorating" (Wang Juntao, a renowned Chinese democracy activist and Chairman of the Board of the Chinese Constitutional Reform Association. Wang holds a PhD. degree in Political Science from Columbia University)

China is also called the divine land. The theme of the Divine Performing Arts shows is rediscovering the Chinese five-thousand-year-old divine culture. Hundreds of thousands of audience members experienced the aspiring "spirit" of traditional Chinese culture displayed by the show. Now the CCP is also trying to promote so-called "restoration"of traditional Chinese culture. However, the CCP, inheriting foreign communist ideas, regards "atheism" and "materialism" as the absolute standards from which to examine Chinese culture. The CCP criticizes "respecting Gods and nature" in traditional Chinese culture and treats it as "feudalistic superstition." And the CCP even distorts "assimilation of humans and the heavens" in the Confucian School and "the way of Tao by nature" in the Taoist School, and presents them as ancient "atheism", which totally destroys the essential characteristics of the Confucian School and the Taoist School.

Why does one want to be a good person? Why should one be earnest and kind-hearted? The "Heavens" or "Gods" in Chinese culture have been the fundamental basis of all morality for several thousand years. If the heavenly principles are denied, morality can never exist. Communism also claims that morals will improve when society becomes rich. However, how many people are willing to become the first good person with the forbearance to suffer any loss in a communist society that takes "atheism" as its ultimate belief? Practice has shown, in such a society, that morality declines very quickly. Isn't today's China like this? No matter how much effort the CCP makes to promote so-called "culture" without respect for Gods and heavenly principles, it cannot prevent social morality from declining. Only by respecting the Heavens, can society have a basis on which to reconstruct morality.

(To be continued)

(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts staged two Chinese New Year Spectacular shows in Montreal, Canada, on January 16, 2008. The January 13^th opening show at the National Arts Center in Ottawa and four subsequent shows drew nearly 10,000 spectators. Prominent dignitaries including diplomats, parliament members, artists, musicians and poets have given rave reviews of the show.

Canadian Environment Minister John Baird addressed a pre-show VIP reception, joined by about 100 distinguished guests. Baird said that the Spectacular presents "a very different perspective of China and the values that are at the root of a lot of Chinese civilization, which is exciting culturally and intellectually."

"It has been a spectacular show so far. The lights and sounds and color, the precision and the coordination between the performers on stage and the musicians in front of the stage is really remarkable. I am also amazed at how the performers and those who coordinated this event have managed bring in so much beautiful imagery from the technical side as well, such as pictures of traditional Chinese settings," said Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative Party member and a member of the Canadian House of Commons. "I think we all have to remember that we have to stand up against communism and oppression and that is something that is very clearly articulated by the artistic portrayals in this performance."

Pierre Poilievre, a Parliament member at the pre-show VIP reception

Marcel Lussier, a Parliament member, enjoyed the show for the second year

Marcel Lussier, a member of the Bloc Quebecois and a member of Parliament, said on January 13 that NTDTV is "not afraid of the Chinese Communist Party, and respects Chinese history and tradition. All this is very similar to the values of Quebec's people."

Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament Lisa MacLeod attended the first show in Ottawa on January 13, 2008. She was amazed and told the reporter that the show was absolutely fantastic. She also said that she could understand why people shed tears when they saw the show, as she found special meaning in the lyrics of one of the songs and said, "What an inspiring message to start the New Year with. Truth--when you find it--means renewal, and I think that's a great message for a politician to hear. It's absolutely wonderful," "I want to thank you all for giving me this opportunity," "NTDTV provided a great evening for the Chinese community and all Canadians."

Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament Lisa MacLeod

"There are no words to describe exactly what I saw tonight," said Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services and Francophone Affairs Madeleine Meilleur, "The costumes are outstanding, the choreography is wonderful--it's a wonderful history of China through singing, dancing, and the costumes. ...You see through the dance, the choreography, the pain that Chinese people have gone through."

"The values portrayed in the show are not only in accordance with Chinese culture but with all of humanity, " said City of Montreal councilor Karim Boulos on January 15. "We encourage not only the Chinese community but all Montrealers [to come and see the show.] And to see ... shows on such an international level."

"Uplifted, inspired, dazzled," said David Kilgour, former Secretary of State for Asia Pacific and Liberal Member of Parliament. "It's magical what we're seeing here tonight. I've got nothing but respect for the people who've done it." "The dancing is really out of this world, almost everything is out of this world... This shows what a marvelous culture and tradition the authentic Chinese culture is... I would recommend this show to anybody."

David Kilgour, former Secretary of State for Asia Pacific and Liberal Member of Parliament

Brian McAdam, a former Canadian diplomat who served at a Canadian mission in Hong Kong said, "Throughout history, tyrants have tried to impose their ideas of what culture is...but ultimately this human spirit brings back the true culture of the society. It's marvelous to see again."

Brian McAdam, a 30-year career Canadian diplomat

Many foreign dignitaries, including the Philippine ambassador, the Australian ambassador, the Italian ambassador, and the U.S. Consul General, attended the performance. The Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Jose Brillantes, said he especially noticed "the charm of Chinese choreography and the power of the dance of the drums." When referring to the authentic Chinese culture presented in the Spectacular, which the performers say is without any elements of Communist Party culture, the ambassador said, "That's what I mean when I say the Chinese tradition of peace and harmony, and yet there was the powerful notion through the drums. This can happen only, for instance, here in Canada, because of its multicultural policy."

Representatives from the Prime Minister's office and from the offices of five parliament members and the mayor's office attended the opening performance on January 13.

Prominent Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas said on January 14, "[The show] is a continuation of Chinese culture as a living entity rather than just as a museum artifact." "It isn't just the preservation, because you see things in the show that would normally help cultural development that don't just replicate the past but bring the past up to the present. One of the things we saw was the marriage of modern musical instruments and ancient Chinese instruments and that in itself is an important cultural development, important for global culture, important for Chinese culture."

Prominent Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas

Professor Allan Ryan, chair of the Department of Aboriginal Art and Culture at Carleton University, said the Spectacular "shows that traditions are continually evolving, and yet they're rooted in a profound, solid knowledge." "I very much appreciate how the fusion of traditions and the contemporary experience are brought together to make some very profound statements in the performance, and I think it works very well," Moreover, "You can entertain people and present very serious issues and substance in a manner that is not offensive to them."

Cyril Dabydeen, a renowned poet and a juror for the Canadian Governor General Award for Literature and a professor at the University of Ottawa, said, "The show will promote culture by making us think of the high standard that can be achieved in human artistic pursuits and endeavors," "This high quality of choreography, dance, singing, the sopranos, drumming, the orchestra--it is of extraordinarily high quality, and for our ethnic communities, it uplifts all of us."

Genevieve Mareschal, a professor from the School of Translation and Interpretation at the University of Ottawa, said the show was a purely truthful, compassionate and beautiful show, one with natural harmony. The collaboration between dancers was harmonious, and the show manifested the values of compassion and people helping each other. To her, the show brought a feeling of peacefulness.

Mary Jo Lynch, director of Carleton International, who once worked for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, said, "I thought that was absolutely beautiful... incredible grace and balance," "The fact is that culture and history are so important, and that's what really links people together in spite of differences and turmoil," "I would see it again and recommend it to all of my friends."

Stephanie Chitpin, associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa, attended the show with her family. She said, "The singing is one of a kind. The poise and agility of the dancers--it's really spectacular in every sense of the word," and she added that the integration of Western and Eastern music and cultures was "fantastic."

David J. Paulson, a professor at the Department of Law, the University of Ottawa, said the show was excellent and that he could see the performance carried positive values, many of which would be worth further thinking.

David J. Paulson, professor at the Department of Law, University of Ottawa

Artists: Unique Style Combining East and West

Glenn Hodgins, a renowned pianist and executive director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, said after seeing the show on January 13, "The caliber of the dancing and the musicians was excellent. Very well-thought out, well-choreographed, very professionally done."

Glenn Hodgins, renowned pianist and Executive Director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, at the VIP reception on January 13

Commenting on the combination of Eastern and Western music and instruments featured in the show, Hodgins said, "It's very interesting to blend and bring the different traditions together. It's a terrific opportunity for the musicians to work together, to learn from each other, and to share their artistic excellence. We see this a great deal more and more, I think, where it's possible to combine the culture and musical styles--very successful," "[The show] sends a very strong message from the Chinese culture. Also [there is] such a fantastic presence from the Asian community here. Obviously we're all living in one community and we can all enjoy the arts and culture and the common message."

Along with the drumming that he enjoyed very much, he said he particularly found the depth of the performances "very intriguing," pointing to "exquisite dancing and exquisite messages" in the show.

Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America's most dynamic cellists. The winner of a Juno Award--Canada's Grammy--she is the principal cellist with the National Arts Center Orchestra (NACO) in Ottawa. Forsyth was the youngest principal ever selected by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in 1993, where she remained until joining the NACO in 1999.

She had this to say about the Spectacular, "It's really beautiful that they're really so proud of their traditions. It's so poetic." Forsyth enjoyed the mix of Eastern and Western instruments in the orchestra that accompanied the show and was particularly pleased with the "erhu"--a two-stringed Chinese instrument with a wide range of notes--which is her favorite. She said, "I felt like I was actually in Asia."

Former Op�ra de Montr�al singer Paulette Scheme saw the evening show on January 14 with her husband. She noticed the moral dimension portrayed in the stories and enjoyed "seeing how beautiful it is that we see a different China [than] the one that we hear about politically and so forth," "The people's spirits and the hearts are good and pure, fighting all the things that are wrong, and yet in such a beautiful way," "What I like is that you are not focusing anything on the politics. You are talking about the human being and spirit."

Another aspect that stood out for her was the combination of Chinese and Western instruments and compositions. Although there is that modern component, the flavor of Chinese music is retained, she said.

The shows in Canada opened to a full house and drew a standing ovation and rave reviews from an impressed audience. Some audience members even commented that the show is a "gift from heaven."

The Divine Performing Arts delivered its last performance in Montreal on January 17 before moving on to Toronto.

(Clearwisdom.net) For carrying a copy of Zhuan Falun with him, practitioner Mr.Wei Jianzhou of Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, was arrested and imprisoned in Xindian Forced Labor Camp, where he started a hunger strike to protest. Guards then ordered drug addict inmates to persecute him.

Around May 2007, Gong Junsheng ordered the formation of a so-called "special group for the examination of a case" to persecute Mr. Wei specifically. The people in charge included Education Officer Zhang Junde and five drug addict inmates: Zhao Qing from Xishan, Taiyuan City; Wang Chenghu from Yangmingbao, Dai County; Wang Laicun from Dai County; Li Zhiwei from Hequ; and Chen Wenliang from Dai County. Zhao Qing was the head of the group, Wang Chenghu and Wang Laicun were major players, and Li Zhiwei and Chen Wenliang were coerced into participating.

Guard Zhang Junde once beat Chen Wenliang because Chen still had some conscience and did not want to persecute practitioners. Li Zhiwei and Chen Wenliang were even punished by Zhao Qing for not actively participating in the persecution. Zhao Qing was released about one month ahead of time for "outstanding" performance [in persecuting practitioners]. Drug addict Wang Laicun often persecuted practitioners. During the time he closely watched practitioner Mr. Yan Xipeng in Taiyuan City, he often beat, swore at, and verbally abused Mr. Yan.

When Mr. Wei Jianzhou was on a hunger strike, inmates Wang Chenyan and Wang Junqing, who were on duty at night, also participated in savagely force-feeding Mr. Wei. The sounds of beatings, swearing, and quarreling were heard every night. Sometimes the torture lasted past 4:00 a.m. and would resume at about 5:00 a.m. when Mr. Wei was forced to get up. Even during this one hour of "sleep time", he was also often tortured. After a few days Mr. Wei Jianzhou was completely disfigured from torture. Currently, he still can't get normal rest.

Xindian Forced Labor Camp in Shanxi Province imprisons and persecutes male Falun Gong practitioners from Shanxi Province. Since 1999, about 500 people have been persecuted there. The ten practitioners still imprisoned there are: Yan Xipeng and Li Wei from Taiyuan City, Tian Fusheng and Liu Hong from Datong City, Li Zhiyong from Yanquan, Zhang Wenbin, Bai Xinyan, Lu Chongxu, Wei Jianzhou in Yuncheng City, and Zhao Guocun from Baoding City, Hebei Province.

Those in charge of the 3^rd Group:

Gong Junsheng from the Donghu Country Area, Shenchi County, is the head and Political Director.
Yao Hong from Linfen is the deputy political director.
Zhang Jiangang is the deputy head.

December 29, 2007

(Clearwisdom.net) Mr. Xie Tianyou, a Falun Dafa practitioner, was arrested in Hebei Province by the police officers from Dezhou City, Shandong Province, in 2007. He was then sent to a forced labor camp, leaving behind his 70-year-old mother, his 86-year-old grandmother, his wife, and his two children to do the farm work. His family is suffering severe hardship.

Mr. Xie is 45 years old. At around 3:00 a.m. on October 15, 2007, more than ten police officers from the Domestic Security Division of Dezhou City Police Department drove to Gucheng County, Hebei Province, in two police cars. They broke into Mr. Xie's temporary residence. They confiscated over ten satellite receivers, Falun Dafa books, truth clarification materials, and about 3,000 yuan in cash. That same morning, they took him to Dezhou City Detention Center.

In the detention center, the guards incited the inmates to beat Mr. Xie brutally. He was forced to do hard labor every day. For example, he was forced to make mourning wreaths using toxic materials. He was given one or two small steamed buns and some noodle soup each meal, which was only enough to ensure that he would not die from hunger.

On November 16, 2007, Mr. Xie Tianyou was sentenced to two years in a forced labor camp. He was then transferred to Guanzhuang No. 2 Forced Labor Camp in Zibo City, Shandong Province.

January 12, 2007

(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of May 1, 2007, when Ms. Huang Xingyao was distributing truth clarifying materials about the persecution of Falun Gong in Shiqicheng District, Zhongshan City, four policemen followed, arrested, and detained her at the local detention center for over seven months. Although her father hired a defense lawyer for her, the court still sentenced her to three years in prison. The following is information about Ms. Huang Xingyao and her family.

Ms. Huang, 44 years old, attended Teacher's fifth lecture in Guangzhou City in December 1994. She has been very diligent in practicing, studying, and spreading awareness of Falun Gong ever since. On December 19, 1999, when she went to a local tea house to have tea with other practitioners, Tang Yuan and other police officers arrested her and detained her for 15 days. On July 12, 2000, Hu Wensong and other officers from the local police station broke into her home, confiscated her property, and detained her in the local detention center for a month. In April 2001, officials from the 610 Office and local policemen illegally arrested her and took her to the local brainwashing center for three months. In August 2003, Yu Jun from the 610 Office and Xie Guanwen, along with other police officers, broke into her home, arrested her, and took her to the Sanshui Brainwashing Center for another three months. Currently, she is being detained in prison for a three year term.

Mr. Huang Liande (Ms. Huang Xingyao's father), 74 years old, started practicing Falun Gong in August 1994, and attended Teacher's fifth lecture in Guangzhou City. On July 14, 2000, officials from the 610 Office, Hu Wensong and other policemen broke into his apartment, arrested him, and detained him in the local detention center, then took him to Sanshui Forced Labor Camp, where he was detained for two years. On November 16, 2004, 610 Office officials Li Lianghuan and He Guoyou, along with other police officers, broke into his home and arrested him. He was sentenced to three years in a forced labor camp. The police searched his apartment six times and confiscated many Falun Dafa books and truth clarification materials. On March 19, 2007, when he was distributing materials, the police arrested him again and started monitoring his apartment.

Zheng Hailing (Ms. Huang Xingyao's mother) attended Teacher's fourth and fifth lectures in Guangzhou City in July and December of 1994. She stayed at home alone when her husband was detained in Sanshui Forced Labor Camp and when her daughter was detained in the local detention center. Policemen Hu Wensong, Sun Rongtian and others often came to threaten her. Under intense mental and physical pressure, she passed away on May 19, 2005.

(Clearwisdom.net)

Practitioner Ms. Ma Lifang was arrested at her home in Liantang in June 2007. She is still detained in Caopu Detention Center in Luohu District.

Police broke into and raided her house. They confiscated money deposit certificates valued at almost one million yuan. Her son is over 10 and is facing a university admission test. He is alone and his life is in dire straits.

Mr. Chen Xin of Siping, Jilin, who is in his 30s, is a certified accountant. He worked in the Finance Department at Beijing Ruisa Semiconductor Company. On December 28, 2007, he was arrested and taken to a brainwashing center because he clarified the truth.

Ms. Lu Yunqing is dying due to torture from the persecution. It is rumored that she is at Pingdingbu Hospital in Tieling City.

In October 2007, Ms. Gao Yane and an another, unknown practitioner were reported when distributing Falun Gong fact clarification materials. They were arrested and detained at Ji County Detention Center by Ji County Police. Because Ms. Gao didn't cooperate, the police arrested her daughter who is studying at a college. Ms. Gao's daughter and the practitioner were later released. Ms. Gao was "illegally sentenced" to a three-year prison term. She was transferred to Tianjin.

Ms. Zhou Lianhe was followed and arrested because she wrote Falun Dafa truth-clarification facts on walls. She is in the Ji County Detention Center.

On December 31, 2007, Ms. Wang Liqing, around 60, from Zibo City was clarifying the facts about Falun Gong. She was arrested by police officers from the Zhangdian District Police Station, who extorted 10,000 "yuan" from her family. The officials threatened to sentence her to Wang Village Forced Labor Camp for three years if her family refused to hand over the money. Ms. Wang is still detained and being tortured at the Zibo City Law Education Center.

Guangzhou practitioner Mr. Ma Minqing was detained in the Guangzhou Yuexiu District Detention Center for one year and two months. On December 21, 2007, Mr. Ma was taken to Sihui Prison and tortured by staff from the Logistics Special Monitoring Group.

Sihui Prison: 86-758-3301002.

Haicheng practitioner Mr. Zhang De was transferred from Wafangdian to the Sixth Prison Area, First Prison at the Shenyang Prison City. Because he did not sit upright during roll call, he was beaten by an "on-duty prisoner" and injured in late December 2007. He bit his tongue during the torture.

First Prison: 86-24-89296257 and 86-24-89296258

On the afternoon of October 26, 2007, police officials from National Security and officers from the police station broke into Mr. Li Shoudong's home. They arrested him and his wife, Ms. Zhang Xinxhen, and confiscated Teacher's books and other Falun Dafa materials. Both were detained in a brainwashing center for almost a month and then taken to a forced labor camp.

Shijiazhuang Court planned to put Mr. Wu Jianjun on trial on January 3, 2008.

On January 2, 2008, officers from the Da'an National Security and Police Station arrested Ms. Ma Fengyi. Her Dafa books were confiscated.

In mid-December 2007, police brutally beat and used electric batons to shock Mr. Fu Xiaodong, who was detained in Weining Reformatory. On October 28, 2006, officers from the Gaoyu Police Station arrested Mr. Fu. In May 2007, he was transferred to Weining Reformatory. The reformatory deprived him of all family visits. Now Mr. Fu is detained at the Third Brigade and his father-in-law, Mr. Liu Tingheng, is detained in the Legal System Center of the reformatory.

Legal System Center: 86-414-4618971
Benxi Judicial Bureau Prison Management Section: 86-414-2804822

All large prisons in Liaoning Province have promised to immediately release all illegally detained practitioners who sign release forms. But after the forms are signed, the practitioners are transferred to other prisons.

On December 26, 2007, Mr. Zhao Shijun and Mr. Wang Shoujun, who were detained in the Seventh Brigade in Daqing Prison, were dumping trash into the outside trash bin as requested. However, the guards harassed them by accusing them of leaving the prison building.

At around 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2007, a Dalian woman practitioner was reported when she distributed truth clarification materials near Huadong Road. Agents from the 610 Office arrested her. She is now detained in Zhonghualu Police Station, Ganjingzi District, Dalian.

At around 5:00 p.m. on January 2, 2008, Mr. Tang and his 16-year-old son, who live near Yuhong Airport, Shenyang, were arrested by agents from the Shenyang 610 Office and the National Security Branch Brigade in front of their apartment. Mr. Tang's son is in his second year at Shenyang Zaohua High School.

Mr. Xu Jiasheng is around 43 years old, and was born in Changchun. He lived in Xibeiwang, Haidian District, Beijing. On January 3, 2008, he was arrested again.

On December 31, 2007, the local police arrested four practitioners, including Ding Xiurong from Zhaozhuang, Huanggai Village, Jiaxiang. The police confiscated valuable personal property.

On the afternoon of December 31, 2007, Ms. Zhang Xiuhua was reported for clarifying the truth at the Qingyun Marketplace. Police from the marketplace police station arrested her. She was transferred to Qingyun Detention Center and is still on a hunger strike to protest her illegal detention.

On the afternoon of January 1, 2008, Zhaoyuan practitioner Ms. Shao Ruiying was reported when she clarified the truth of Falun Dafa. She was arrested.

Mr. Zheng Chenggang lives in Zhengjia Village, Sunji Town. Nine police officers from the Sunji Town Police Station of Shouguang City came to Mr. Zheng's home in three police cars at around 10:00 a.m. on December 21, 2007. They broke into his home and confiscated two Dafa books.

Ms. Gao Lihua from Gaotang County, Liaocheng District, Shandong Province, returned home on the afternoon of December 27, 2007. On January 1, 2008, Ms. Gao was again taken to the police station and was forced to sign some documents. She left her home to avoid further persecution.

Mr. Wang Jian from Xingwanzhai Village, Zunhua, Tangshan City, was working at home on October 17, 2007, when officers from the Shirengou Police Station arrested him. They also confiscated Dafa books, VCDs, a desktop and a laptop computer.

Mr. Wang is in Zunhua Detention Center. On December 28, 2007, assistant captain Wang Kunyuan and Dong Guofeng from the Zunhua National Security Brigade beat and disparaged him, claiming they were interrogating him.

Xingwanzhai Village secretary Wang Xiaoli: 86-315-6052102, 86-13831505446
Shirengou Police Station chief Wang Shushen: 86-315-6050100, 86-315-6050110

In December 2007, National Security secret agents arrested Mr. Xu Xueli.

Police from Kuiwen Police Station arrested Weifang practitioner Mr. Na Jingxue. They took him to Weifang Detention Center on November 9, 2007. On December 5, 2007, he was sentenced to a two-year term to be served at Zhangqiu Forced Labor Camp.

In December 2007, Linzhou City police arrested practitioner Mr. Feng Junhong. The police forced him to stand barefoot on the icy-cold floor for the entire night. They transferred him to Anyang City the next day.

Linzhou City 610 Office head Shi Heshu: 86-372-6816008, 86-13803721308.

At around 10:00 a.m. on January 2, 2008, Shouguang City practitioners Mr. Lao Shao, Ms. Zhang Guizhi, Mr. Xiao Ma, and Mr. Lao Sun were reported when clarifying the facts about the persecution of Falun Gong. They were arrested and Ms. Zhang's home was ransacked. They are now detained at Shouguang Industrial District Police Station.

Shouguang City Detention Center phone: 86-536-5268879

In March 2007, Mr. Zhang Weijie was arrested and taken to Chenjiaji Brainwashing Center in Jiangan District, Wuhan. In December 2007, he was given a one-year prison term. He is detained at the Second Brigade, Hewan Forced Lamp Camp, Wuhan.

Director Li Yanjun and other officers at the Shenjiatun Village Police Station, Qiaoxi District, Zhangjiakou, ransacked practitioner Mr. Lu Mingjin's home in mid-April 2007. They confiscated Falun Dafa materials and books. Mr. Lu was forced to become homeless to escape persecution.

On September 13, 2007, some villagers reported him. Police officer Liu Weidong, director Zhao and other officials arrested Mr. Lu at his Yanjiatun workplace. On September 21, 2007, he was taken to Shisanli Detention Center.

In November 2007, secret agents from Wulumuqi National Security, Weiwuer Autonomous Region, arrested Ms. Zhong Xinlian, Mr. Li Bin, Mr. Peng Hao, Ms. Bai Yun, and others. The agents ransacked their homes. The practitioners are detained at an undisclosed location near Wulumuqi Railway West Station. Family visits are not allowed.

Police from the Lanxi Police Station posted the name of South Street statistician Ms. Zhao Shuying on the National Internet Wanted Criminals List because she distributed truth clarification materials.

On the evening of December 27, 2007, officers from the Chalukou Police Station arrested Mr. Zhu Jingcai of Caoyangshan Village, Chalukou Town, Dehui City, and ransacked his home. He is now detained in Dehui Detention Center.

On December 19, 2007, officers from the Zhoushui Police Station arrested Ms. Zhou Guiling.

In November 2007, Ms. Wang Xuezhen visited her daughter. She was followed when she distributed truth clarification materials. Police arrested Ms. Wang Xuezhen, claiming that they were taking a census. Ms. Wang was released ten days later. Police at Shanghai Police Station notified officers at Meishan Police Station, which resulted in Ms. Wang's young son's home being ransacked.

Fuyang practitioners Ms. Huang Meirong, 76; Mr. Lao Xuan, 73; and Mr. Xu Xiangrong and Ms. Huang Xiuzhen (husband and wife) were illegally arrested in late December 2007. They are detained in Fuyang Detention Center. Sun Xianglian was out on bail for a year and was released due to having high blood pressure.

Mr. Sun Xiaojun, and Mr. Feng Haifu were arrested in June 2007. Mr. Sun is still detained and being tortured in Fuyang Detention Center. Mr. Feng was taken to Zhejiang Shiliping Forced Labor Camp. He has been subjected to brutal persecution and has been paralyzed.

Fuyang City National Security head Ling Xianjin: 86-13575799112, 86-571-63325062

(Clearwisdom.net) Today's News from China includes incidents of persecution that took place in 32 cities or counties in 14 provinces. In this report, 17 practitioners were subjected to mistreatment during their detention and at least 41 practitioners were illegally arrested.

The authorities of the Masanjia Forced Labor Camp detained Falun Gong practitioners who refused to be "transformed" in a single cell. The windows of the cells are completely sealed with newspaper to enforce the isolation.

On the afternoon of January 6, 2008, she was reported to police when she was clarifying the truth about Falun Dafa to the villagers. Donggang City authorities dispatched a police car the same afternoon and took this kindhearted elderly practitioner into custody.

Practitioner Ms. Tian Qi lives in the yard of the Electricity Bureau in the Xiangyang Community. At about 10 a.m. on January 9, 2008, when she was not home, officers of the Shuangyashan City pried open her door, plotting to persecute her.

After Mr. Sun Hongchang was crippled as a result of being persecuted by officers from the No. 1 Police Division in Fushun City, many efforts were made to secure his release. Finally, all the courts agreed to release him, but they were stopped by Office Guan Yong (male) from the No. 1 Division. It was Guan Yong who persecuted Mr. Sun's wife to death. He also bears major responsibility for Mr. Sun's disability.

Ms. Chen Xiuying, 59 years old, lives in the Putuo District. On about January 5, 2008, she was reported to the police when she was clarifying the truth. Officers from the Putuo District Police Department took her into custody and searched her home. She is detained in the Putuo District Detention Center. This is the third time that Ms. Chen has been taken into custody.

At about 9 a.m. on January 8, 2008, four officers of the Beimeng Town Police Station searched the home of Mr. Qu Hongliang in the Qiqi Village. They found nothing, but took one photo on the wall. They asked Mr. Qu's father to point out which person in the photo was his son.

Mr. and Mrs. Qu Hongliang have been destitute and homeless for more than three months due to the persecution. There are only two 70-year-old elderly grandparents and their son, who is attending middle school, staying at home. This is the third time officers have harassed their family.

Mr. Dong Zhaosheng from Zhongshanbeitou Village, Dasheng Town, Anqiu City, was taken into custody from home at the beginning of October 2007. His property, including a computer, a CD burner, and many materials, was seized.

Mr. Dong Zhaocai, a teacher at Qingyun School, and his wife, Ms. Wang Huaxiang, were taken into custody at the beginning of October 2007.

Mr. Niu from Yujiagou Village in Dasheng Town, Aiqiu City, was taken into custody from home at the beginning of October 2007.

Mr. Wei Peirong from Maqu Village in Longchi Town, Changyi City, was persecuted again by the Village Head and the local 610 Office on January 8, 2008. He is being illegally detained in the Changyi City Detention Center.

On about January 5, 2008, officers from the Boshan 610 Office and the Baita Police Station seized Mr. Sun Qili and Mr. Zhang Jinghu from Shifo Village in Baita Town, Boshan District. They are being detained in the Boshan District Detention Center.

Several days ago, Mr. Guo Shusen was taken into custody by Dong Ning (male), director of the State Security Division under the Binbei Police Department. His home was also searched. He is detained in the Pingyuan County.

It is reported that on about December 25, 2006, four practitioners, including Ms. Xue Meimei, Ms. Yan Meimei, and Mr. Mao (given name unknown), were taken into custody. Their homes were also searched. They were detained in the Wutai County Detention Center, where they were tortured and beaten every day so they would give up their source of truth-clarifying materials. Their families were extorted 25 yuan each day for living expenses.

On October 16, 2007, Mr. Cai Ronghua was studying the Fa with six fellow practitioners at home when he was taken into custody. He is detained in the Meixi No. 2 Detention Center. The authorities of the Xiangzhou District Court plotted to put Mr. Cai on trial at 9:30 a.m. on January 18, 2008.

Lin (female), Xiangzhou District Court clerk: 86-756-2610875 (Home)

Ms. Duan Shufang, who lives in the Shuangxiuyuan Community, Haidian District, was reported to the police while she was posting posters in a bus station by the elderly woman on duty. She was taken away by patrolling police. After she was detained for two months, she was sentenced to two years of forced labor without any legal proceedings. Since then, she has been detained in the Beijing Forced Labor Camp.

Mr. Wang Kuiwen, 60-years-old, is a practitioner in Shawo Village, Kuiwen District, Weifang City. On December 2, 2007, he was taken away from home, and his home was searched. He is detained in the Brainwashing Center in the Kuiwen District Party School.

Ms. Li Yingmin is a practitioner in the Daoli District, Harbin City. On January 1, 2008, she was taken into custody by the police. She is in the Zhian Detention Center.

Mr. Chen Beihai is a practitioner in Zhuangtou Village, Wangliu Town in the Weicheng District, Weifang City. His eldest son, Mr. Chen Aijun, was taken into custody in Nanjing City.

Mr. Chen Beihai expressed his support for his son. As a result, two weeks ago, he was taken into custody from his home and taken to Nanjing City. His youngest son was also taken into custody and detained for a month. Afterwards, the youngest son was taken to Zhangqi Brainwashing Center, and he has not been released yet.

On the afternoon of January 8, 2007, Ms. Guo Hongying was spotted while she was distributing truth clarification materials near Hubei University. She was taken to the Dongxihu Brainwashing Center.

Domestic Security Division: 86-533-2139610
Diao Huaiyou (male), director of Yiyuan County 610 Office: 86-533-3223610
Zheng Gongli (male), head Yiyuan County Domestic Division: 86-13953341299 (Cell)

It has been learned that on January 4, 2008, Mr. Zhang Yijun was unlawfully sentenced to four years in prison by the ruling of the first instance at the Ganjingzi District Court in Dalian City, Liaoning Province.

Mr. Hu Xijie, 38, is a farmer in Chenjing Village, Donggucheng Town, Guan County. Mr. Yan Shu'an, 48, is a farmer in the Yanzhuang Area. On January 1, 2008, they went to Baitao Town in Guan County to clarify the truth. Officers of the Beitao Police Station took them into custody and took them to the Guan County Detention Center. The two practitioners' car is being held by the police.

Yang Chunfeng (male), political instructor of Beitao Police Station: 86-13963525085 (Cell)

On January 4, 2008, Ms. Meng Xuetao was turned in to the police while she was distributing truth clarification materials in Shapingba District, Chongqing. The police took her into custody at the Shapingba District Detention Center.

On or around November 20, 2007, Ms. Sun Xia was taken into custody by officers of the Domestic Security Division in Zichuan District on charges that she was distributing truth clarification materials near the Zichuan District Party Committee.

Dong Wenyi (male), a temporary employee (phone number: 86-533-5166013) at the Nanguan Police Station in Zichuan District, turned her to the police.

Just past 10:00 a.m. on December 3, 2007, Ms. Dou Bihua was at home in the No. 4 Yonghong Group in Yongshou Town, Dongpo District, Meishan City. Fei Guangshu (male) and other officers of the Domestic Security Division pounded on the door. When she opened the door, the officers searched her home and confiscated a Laser Disc player, two DVD players, MP3 media, and copies of Fa lectures . They then dragged Ms. Dou into the police car. She was taken to the Yongshou Town Police Station. The officers took pictures of her against her will, took her fingerprints, and told her that they would call her to show up at the police station in the future before eventually releasing her.

Office of the Domestic Security Division: 86-833-8107861

At the end of November 2007, Mr. Ding Hong was turned in to the police while he was distributing truth clarification materials by the Wanjiale Supermarket. Later he was taken into custody by the Tiexi Police Station and placed in detention by Zoucheng Police Department officers. He has been taken to the Wangcun Forced Labor Camp for a one-year term.

Mr. Wang Peizhong, in his 50s, is a former chemistry teacher at the No. 6 High School in Tumen City, Jilin Province. At around 10:00 a.m. on January 7, 2008, based on reports from the parents of one of Mr. Wang's students, a dozen officers from the Tumen City Domestic Security Division and the Yuegong Street Police Station arrived in five or six police cars at a store run by Mr. Wang and his wife at the No. 6 High School in Tumen City. The police unlawfully searched the store, took Mr. Wang into a police vehicle, and then went to Mr. Wang's home. They were joined by another group of officers who had staked out the building. The police took video footage while searching Mr. Wang's home. They spent half an hour without finding anything. Mr. Wang was taken to the Yuegong Street Police Station. He was released before noon the same day.

On January 7, 2008, Ms. Zhao Liuji and Ms. Wang Huanqing were taken into custody at their homes in Yanqing Town, Yanqing County. Ms. Zhao, in her 60s, lives in Gujiaying Village. She was taken to a forced labor camp twice: once for 18 months and the second time for two years.

Ms. Wang Huanqing, in her 60s, lives in the Taozhuang area in Yanqing Town. The police arrived at her home and lied to her, saying that she was needed to answer a couple of quick questions at the police station. The same evening, her family received notice that they should send blankets. Ms. Wang is being held in Yanqing Detention Center.

Pingtang Town 610 Office: 86-731-8500391
Pingtang Town Police Station: 86-731-8500352, 86-731-8509110

Mr. Ding Zhongyi, from the Baishishan area in Jiaohe City, and Ms. Zheng Shuqing, from Songjiang Town in Jiaohe City, were each sentenced to one year of forced labor. They were taken to the labor camps at the end of December 2007. Mr. Ding is being held in Yinmahe Forced Labor Camp, Ms. Zheng Shuqing in Heizuizi Women's Forced Labor.

Li Xingfu (male), director of Songjiang Town Police Station: 86-13804449216 (Cell)
Xin Guangda (male): 86-13844284808 (Cell)

On the morning of January 9, 2008, Ms. Wei Liping was taken into custody by Song Yumin (gender unknown), head of the Hailin City Domestic Security Division, Jin Haizhu (female), a domestic security police officer, and officers from the No. 2 Police Station. The police searched a small store Ms. Wei leased to make a living. Some Falun Dafa materials were confiscated.

Song Yumin (gender unknown), head of the Hailin City Domestic Security Division: 86-13009791298 (Cell), 86-453-7336551 (Home), 86-453-7336750
Jin Haizhu (female), officer of the Domestic Security Division: 86-13704832122 (Cell), 86-453-7336520 (Home), 86-453-7233137

On January 2, 2008, Ms. Ma Fengyi and Ms. Tang Shude, both of whom are in their 60s and live in Anguang Town, were taken into custody by Anguang Town Police Station officers while they were clarifying the truth in Honggang Village. The police searched their homes. The police pried open the door of Ms. Tang Shudei's home. Ms. Ma and Ms. Tang are being held at the Da'an City Detention Center.

Da'an City 610 Office: 86-436-5222692, 86-436-2912588
Liu Yongbo (male): 86-436-5202692, 86-436-5236688, 86-13904365201 (Cell)

On October 27, 2007, a group of police officers forced their way into Mr. Yuan Yizhi's home in Ganjingzi District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province. The officers searched Mr. Yuan's home and took him and his wife, Ms. Liu Hongxia, into custody. On December 28, 2007, Ms. Liu returned home with righteous thoughts in mind. On January 4, 2008, Mr. Yuan was taken to the Taishan Drug Rehabilitation Institute on Xinan Road.

Director Wen (gender unknown), of the Xinghua Street Police Station on Shandong Road in Ganjingzi District: 86-411-86602626
Li Fangcheng (male), head of the Legal Section of the Ganjingzi District Police Department: 86-411-86600891

At around 8:00 p.m. on November 6, 2007, Mr. Feng Guofu, a practitioner in Gegou Village, Lingbei Town, Lingyuan City, was taken into custody by Mohudian Police Station officers. He was held in the Lingyuan City Detention Center. Twenty or so days later, Mr. Feng was sentenced to 18 months of forced labor. At the end of November 2007, he was taken to the No. 6 Division in Masanjia Men's No. 2 Forced Labor Camp in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Mr. Feng Guofu has been on a hunger strike for over a month. When his family saw him, he was tied to an iron chair and being force-fed with tubes inserted down into his stomach. When the ropes were removed from him, he could not even stand. His life is in imminent danger.

Mohudian Police Station: 86-421-6883246, 86-421-6883241
Liu Michen (male), director of Mohudian Police Station
Wang Guilin (male), head of Lingyuan City Domestic Security Division: 86-421-6891665 (Office), 86-421-6851687 (Home), 86-13704917349 (Cell)

Zhang Wenjie (male) and Wang Jianqiang (male), officers of the 610 Office of the Leling City Police Department, have been actively engaged in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners since 2001. On the afternoon of January 9, 2008, the two officers broke into Ms. Wu Aiqing's home in Zhifang Village in Xiduan Township, Leling City. They searched for and confiscated Falun Dafa materials and took Ms. Wu into custody. Ms. Wu has been held at the Leling City Detention Center.

Wang Jianqiang (male), officer of the 610 Office: 86-534-6328126

Mr. Liu Wenhua, Mr. Bi Kechun, and Mr. Feng Zhiyong in Wengniu'te Banner were unlawfully taken into custody on the morning of December 27, 2007. They are being held in Wudan Detention Center.

Bate'er (gender unknown), head of Wengniute Banner 610 Office: 86-476-6340247 (Office), 86-13847660266 (Cell)
Liu Caijun (male), head of the Wengniute Banner Domestic Security Division: 86-476-6340175 (Office), 86-13722163966 (Cell), 86-476-6326247 (Home)

On December 20, 2007, Ms. Yan Huixian was turned in to the police while she was distributing truth clarification materials. Officers of the Huitong County Police Department took her to the Huitong County Detention Center. Two days later, when fellow practitioners brought her clothes, they were told that Ms. Yan was to be released on January 6, 2008. However, when they went to the center on January 6, the authorities refused to release her. Ms. Yan's family has not been allowed to visit her since she was unlawfully taken into custody.

Yin Kaisheng (male), chief of Huitong County Police Department in Huaihua City: 86-13907459226 (Cell)
Huitong County 610 Office: 86-745-8850610

Mr. Xiang Zhongyao has been unlawfully taken into custody numerous times by members of the Chongqing 610 Office, officers of the Jiangbei Police Department, and officials of the Shimahe Township. He had to have operations due to internal abdominal bleeding several times as a result of the abuse he suffered while he was in custody. Early 2007, he was taken to the Yongchuan Prison despite his extremely weak physical condition just after his surgery.

Shortly after October 1, 2007, various subordinate governments at township and town levels launched a new campaign to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. Officers of police stations, officials of judicial agencies, and members of family-planning offices searched the homes of or took into custody over 100 practitioners (including some who had stopped practicing Falun Gong as early as July 20, 1999) beginning October 8, 2007. Anyone who refused to give up his or her belief in "Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance" or anyone who was found to have a Falun Gong book or related materials was forcibly taken to a detention center in Shenzhou City, Hebei Province.

It has been verified that the campaign was led by Ge Tiancong (male), director of the Dafengying Township Police Station, and Zhang Manzhen (male), the township's deputy commissioner. Over 100 practitioners have been forced to make statements against their conscience. The officials took television sets, VCDs, and other items from some of the practitioners' homes. Eight practitioners were taken to the detention center. After the national assembly of the 17^th Chinese Communist Party Congress, the eight practitioners were released under "parole" pending further investigation. However, each family was forced to pay 10,000 to 15,000 yuan.

Ge Tiancong (male), director of the Dafengying Township Police Station: 86-318-3319706 (Home), 86-13383683066 (Cell)

January 9, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net) Editors' note: In both Western and Chinese cultures, the principle of karmic retribution, that is, being held ultimately accountable for one's own actions, is widely accepted. The fundamental teaching of Falun Gong is the characteristic of the universe, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." The universe will reward acts that are in harmony with this principle, while doing things such as beating, torturing and murdering people will incur karmic retribution. Stated another way, good deeds will be rewarded with good, while evildoings will meet due retribution. Articles such as this one are meant as a compassionate reminder of this principle to those who would commit wrongdoing. While many of those who persecute Falun Gong are merely "following orders," the universal law requires that they, too, be held responsible for their actions, and that only by reversing their course of wrongdoing may they escape retribution.

The relative of a Falun Gong practitioner works in a police station. This relative went out of his way to persecute practitioners. He also refused to listen when practitioners clarified the truth about Falun Gong to him. This practitioner worried about his relative. He discussed this with other practitioners and managed to obtain the names and address of the officers at the police station. The practitioners regularly sent truth clarifying materials to the policemen.

In the early half of 2007, officers at this police station received a phone call. The caller said that Falun Gong practitioners in a certain small district were distributing copies of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and other materials related to Falun Gong. The caller had captured one practitioner and wanted the policemen to come quickly to take him away. The policeman on duty then was a minor official and had read the truth clarification materials. He was unwilling to go arrest the practitioners, but three new officers who had just come to work at this police station said, "You are on duty, you are also an officer. How can you not go? The phone calls keep coming in, urging us to go. If you don't want to go, the three of us will go."

These three policemen had not read the truth clarification materials. The policemen on duty told them, "Don't go! Leave it be!" The three others did not pay him any heed and drove off. But as they drove along Lower Xinhua Road, their car collided with another vehicle. Two of the officers died on the spot. Another one was sent for emergency treatment and died very soon after.

This incident shocked many police officers in Wuhan City. Since the persecution started eight years ago, practitioners have disregarded their own safety and tried many ways to clarify the truth to others and to warn them of the principle of karmic retribution. They do this for the good of others.

December 30, 2007

(Clearwisdom.net) After watching the video "Fa Teaching Given to the Australian Practitioners", I was speechless. Master has suffered and done so much for Dafa disciples. As a disciple, only if we cultivate genuinely, diligently do the three things well, truly take on our responsibilities as a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple, and give up everything for saving sentient beings will we not disappoint Master and sentient beings.

Recalling the cultivation path I have been on for nearly ten years, I have indeed endured great hardships and suffered a lot. Once I even felt gratified that I was steadfast and solid as a rock in my faith in Master and Dafa. Looking back now, I see that, when I was confused, I spent too much time on the path that the old forces arranged and went to extremes. I wasted a lot of precious time not studying the Fa and saving sentient beings. Catching up with the Fa-rectification and continuing Fa study, my understanding of the Fa has been improving constantly. In the past, it seemed I was very diligent in doing the three things--studying the Fa, sending forth righteous thoughts, and doing a lot for clarifying the facts. Sometimes I even slept only three hours a day, and it seemed I was willing to bear hardships. However, when I encountered conflicts, I always pushed them aside and did not look inward. I was attached to self and wanted to validate myself. Therefore, I lost many opportunities to get rid of my attachments and to improve my xinxing. I often felt sleepy when I studied the Fa, could not hold my palm straight when sending forth righteous thoughts, and was unable to finish work at the truth-clarification materials production site in a timely manner. I felt that everything made it very hard for me to cultivate.

The universal Dafa that Master taught is to directly target one's mind. As long as we study the Fa with a calm mind, look inward, assimilate to the Fa, and genuinely cultivate, it will actually be easy to cultivate. Because we cannot always cultivate in the Fa and have human notions, we encounter difficulties during our cultivation, which is the fundamental reason why we suffer persecution. If all of us actively assimilated to the Fa, eliminated human notions, had righteous thoughts, and utilized divine thoughts, the persecution would stop immediately. There would be no need to spend so much time and effort to save fellow practitioners, because Fa-rectification Dafa disciples would have no tribulations. Master has bestowed upon us the responsibility of saving sentient beings. Master has changed the defective old universe to allow the beings there to assimilate to the Fa and enter the new universe. Dafa disciples in the Fa-rectification period need to create a path for humans to enlighten and become gods. We followed Master to this world in order to assist him in Fa-rectification and saving sentient beings. No beings in the universe are worthy of interfering with or testing us. Currently, our responsibilities are to save sentient beings. Because we have attachments that have not been eliminated, the evil factors use these loopholes and we suffer hardships that we should not suffer, which affects our efforts to save sentient beings. We ourselves have been the cause of many of these things because we didn't do well. Here I am writing down my experiences for fellow practitioners to learn from and to make fewer detours in their cultivation.

Through calmly studying the Fa, I realized what we are based on, and whether we put our hearts into it directly affects whether we are saving sentient beings or destroying them. We should put our hearts into our work, such as collecting truth-clarification materials or producing copies of the "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party," and we have to pay attention to the quality of these materials and the mentality of people.

Last year, a fellow practitioner in Beijing brought us an excellent copy of the Nine Commentaries. We all touched it admiringly. The practitioner told us that they had received good feedback with the book, especially among high ranking officials and professionals. When fellow practitioners clarified the facts to them directly and gave them the book, they said that it must have been printed overseas. They would pass it around and boast, "I have a copy of the Nine Commentaries from overseas."

Fellow practitioners from Beijing were very responsible and helped us to order materials and taught us how to make similar copies. However, at that time I had the attachment to selfishness when I did things. We gave up after we had made only several books, because we were afraid of trouble and the quantity involved. We changed and made smaller-sized books with the excuse that they were easier for fellow practitioners to carry and distribute. In fact, we pandered to our attachments to ease and comfort, and did not think of sentient beings and of saving them. This was the result of our selfishness. Later I read an article in the "Minghui Weekly" in which a fellow practitioner mentioned the same issue. I enlightened and awakened.

This time, we put our hearts into it and paid close attention to the quality of the book. We wrapped the finished copy of the Nine Commentaries with glossy paper that had flowers printed on it. The paper only cost several cents a piece. Fellow practitioners gave the books to their friends and relatives, and we received good feedback. They were very happy and said the words in it were very clear and the book was very professional. However, I noticed that many fellow practitioners still haven't started to do this, even after seeing the book and agreeing that it is of good quality. I think they may have the same issue we used to have.

If we all do well the things we should do, put our hearts into it and keep sentient beings in our minds, we will fulfill our mission to save more sentient beings and follow Master and return to our original homes.

January 9, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net)

I began cultivation in September 1998, and in 1999 I followed my daughter and moved to a new location. This also was the time that the persecution began. Although I was very sad, I didn't doubt Dafa and Master. I kept studying and practicing at home.

In the spring of 2003, my younger sister, who lived in another country, called me. She asked me whether I still practiced Dafa. I told her, "I do." But she said that I could not be counted as a true practitioner until I stepped forward to clarify the truth. A week later I received a package containing three CDs from my sister's overseas friend. I watched the "Tiananmen Self-immolation Incident" video and Master's lectures. I couldn't help but cry. While fellow practitioners were clarifying the truth to people, I had remained at home for several years and not done anything for Dafa and Master. I felt very bad. I decided to go back to my hometown and look for fellow practitioners.

After contacting fellow practitioners, I got some of Master's recent articles and a few truth-clarifying materials.

When I had finished distributing the truth-clarifying materials I had received, I began to handwrite notes with phrases such as "Falun Dafa is good'" "Falun Dafa is the Righteous Fa" and post them in public places. I simply wanted to do more to make up for lost time and became attached to doing things. I didn't study the Fa seriously and didn't have sufficient righteous thoughts. The evil took advantage of my loophole. I was reported to the police in August 2004 and was sentenced to one-and-a- half years of forced labor.

The forced labor camp officials arranged two collaborators to "reform" me. Since I had not studied the Fa well enough and lacked clear thinking, after listening to them, my main consciousness was confused by their twisted logic and I was soon "reformed." The main reason for this was my fear and a selfish and the strong attachment to avoid discomfort. After that I always felt something was not right.

Once I returned home, although I had written a solemn statement [renouncing my former actions], I still felt I had let Master down. Master didn't give up on those like me who disappointed him. He repeatedly published articles to encourage us to return to the cultivation path. Confronted with our respected Master's benevolence, I thought I didn't have any excuse not to cultivate, not to purge attachments and notions. Studying Master's articles made me determined to study the Fa well, to truly cultivate in the Fa, and to catch up with Fa-rectification progress.

I began to clarify the truth to people face to face. In a little more than three months I advised many people to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. I had less and less fear and felt more and more at ease explaining the truth. My xinxing kept improving as well.

One day, just after I had explained the truth to two middle school students, officers from a local police precinct stopped me and took me to the local station. Since I had been studying the Fa, my thoughts were Fa-based and I had strong righteous thoughts. I didn't cooperate with them. They interrogated me from the afternoon to the middle of the night, using both persuasion and threats. I didn't say anything, except to advise them to quit the CCP. They beat me. A person in charge of the 610 Office threatened to send me by train to a secret, remote place. I was not scared. My only focus was not cooperating with them. I kept sending righteous thoughts, and I admonished them that they lacked the authority to make any decisions. They were quite angry and didn't give up until the middle of the night. At 3:00 a.m. they announced that they were going to send me to a detention center. I kept sending righteous thoughts. There were many sentient beings waiting for me to offer them salvation. I asked for Master's help. Arriving at the detention center, the officials refused to accept me. Two police officers once again interrogated me the following day. They threatened that they would sentence me to nine years in prison if I still refused to cooperate with them. I was not affected and recited the Fa throughout the whole afternoon.

Master said,

"When disciples have ample righteous thoughts

Master has the power to turn back the tide."

("The Master-Disciple Bond" from Hong Yin II, Translation Version A)

"...just by having your heart unaffected you will be able to handle all situations."

("Eliminate Your Last Attachment(s)" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

I was determined to follow Master's arrangement. I didn't reveal any information during the interrogation. Finally, they reluctantly gave up.

In the evening they called my family and let them take me home that night, saying that I had to return to the station the next day.

Many of my relatives, trying to persuade me to give up Falun Dafa for my safety, called me at home. I kept clarifying the truth to them. My children all cried terribly. My husband didn't say anything but kept chain-smoking cigarettes. The specially prepared food was removed from the freezer, because they wanted me to have a good last meal before I was taken away by the police. That night no one slept. I thought for a long time. I studied one of Master's lectures again.

Master said,

"No matter what the situation, do not cooperate with the evil's demands, orders, or what it instigates." ("Dafa Disciples' Righteous Thoughts are Powerful" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

I thought, "If I go to the local police station tomorrow as they ordered, isn't this following the old forces' arrangement? They want to put me in prison, making me unable to clarify the truth to offer people salvation. I must deny the old forces' arrangements. I will do what Master arranges for me." I didn't go to the local police station the following day, but asked my family members to go there and tell them, "Since you want to persecute her, she cannot come." The matter was thus settled.

I studied the Fa in earnest and was determined to do the three things well. I must harmonize my family and eliminate any interference. I kept sending righteous thoughts every day and often clarified the truth to my family. Several months later they were able to accept the truth. My daughter even helped me to choose and print truth-clarifying materials from the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. When she helped to select the articles on the website, she read more articles, which helped her to understand Dafa on a deeper level and learn more of the truth. All of my family members have quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations and also wrote an article about people awakening to the truth about Dafa. Now they all help me in doing Dafa work. Witnessing Dafa's mighty power made them understand the truth and accept Dafa.

I know Master takes care of every disciple. As long as we do things with a righteous mind, Master will help us.

Distributing the truth-clarification materials has raised my xinxing level as I mentioned above. I sense a diminishing of the attachments I used to have. Before, I could distribute a dozen truth-clarifying flyers a day. Now I can distribute hundreds a day and don't feel tired. Although I am profoundly nearsighted, I can climb stairs in a dark building without holding onto the railing and have never stumbled. I know it's the mighty power of Dafa. I used to fear being found using the paper money with truth-clarification messages stamped on it. Now I'm not afraid. I even deliberately show others the words on the money.

Now I also clarify the truth through letter writing. Although my limited education prevents me from writing lengthy paragraphs, I think the letters will be effective. I will continue to recite Zhuan Falun, to clarify the truth in different ways, and to advise people to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. I will do my best to give up all human attachments and follow closely the Fa-rectification progress.

If there are any incorrect understandings in my sharing, please kindly point them out.

January 2, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net) Some practitioners take delight in talking about the dreams they have during sleep. Such a practitioner is usually not thinking about where he is not doing well in his cultivation or what attachments he should eliminate. He just follows his human notions in thinking and covers up his attachments. Such a person even says that whatever he has dreamed about he should believe. He does not follow the Fa to cultivate, but instead is influenced by his dreams.

Dreams are only dreams. I think that practitioners should not be attached to them.

We should not be attached to enlightening to something from every dream. What we experience in a dream may give us some guidance as to the status of our xinxing, but this is not cultivation in and of itself, although Master sometimes lets us know important things through dreams. What we experience in dreams is usually just to help us find our attachments. The dreams alone do not tell us what to do or what our xinxing level is. Our entire cultivation path and future are never entirely shown to us through dreams. We should mainly use the dreams as an opportunity to look inward and eliminate our shortcomings.

Actually, the old forces may try to exploit any attachments we have to our dreams. They may project their arrangements into our dreams to confuse us. So, practitioners should distinguish what is right or wrong from the Fa. Practitioners must refuse to be deceived by these tricks with firm righteous thoughts and not acknowledge them.

(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:

• Dafa Practitioners' Solemn Statements [9/22/2007]
• Solemn Declarations by Young Dafa Practitioners [9/1/2007]
• Solemn Declarations By People Who Have Awakened to the Truth about Falun Gong [9/23/2007]

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:

• Solemn Statements from Non-Practitioners Who Are Awakening[4/23/2006]
• Solemn Statements from People Who Awakened to the Truth about Falun Dafa[5/9/2006]

Please click here for more Solemn Declarations.