How I Read Solemn Statements

By A Western Practitioner in the U.S.

For many months, Minghui has published the Solemn Statements of practitioners in China who are retracting the statements they made under pressure from the government officials. I am always happy to see their change of heart and always sad to see their report of previous mistakes. However, I read these statements with a very serious mind and feel very close to their authors.

A key phrase in many of these statements is "due to my insufficient understanding of the Fa" or "my failure to cultivate solidly" etc. This type of statement is what resonates with me. Being an American, I would never be asked by my government to write such a statement and thus have never made this error. But I have made mistakes due to insufficient understanding of the Fa or failure to be solid in my cultivation. It is not unusual and happens many times to most practitioners. But the recent environment has changed and many practitioners have much higher levels of understanding and determination. In this environment, I feel we need to be more and more firm. Making numerous mistakes in the past, I wish to refuse further mistakes. After all, when failing to behave according to the high principles taught by Master Li in his books, are we not stepping away from Dafa? Isn't it an analogy to writing one of those so-called "promises"?

Master has been very patient with me. One fundamental attachment in particular took several months or even a year to overcome, with many failures. The current progress is more than I can take credit for, however. Master has truly cleaned this out of me! How grateful I am! As I read those Solemn Statements, I am reminded of when I failed our teacher. I join with them in their pledge to do better. Seeing how everything is being transformed by the great Fa, these practitioners once again encourage me.

To all practitioners "overseas" (not subject to the vile policies of Beijing) - please read those Statements seriously, then let us join our brothers and sisters. Lets make our own Solemn Statements in our hearts. We will do our very best to not to deviate from the magnificent teachings that have touched us so deeply and benefited us so much. We will do our best to transform our mentalities and behaviors, to eliminate attachments, and to share the truth with those who might be misled by evil lies. We will give Master the best chance to rectify the cosmos (ourselves included) by being true disciples, and by assimilating to the principles of Zhen Shan Ren. The standard is most high, but for the first time in history we have been shown everything we need to meet that standard.

Feb. 21, 2001