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Insights on the European Parliament's Resolution Opposing Article 23

December 26, 2002 |   By a European practitioner

(Clearwisdom.net) [Editor's note: On the afternoon of December 19, the European Parliament passed a resolution against the legislation of Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law, by a margin of 59 to 1, with 1 abstention. See http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2002/12/20/29982.html]

About a month ago, I learned that the European Parliament drafted a resolution against the enactment of Article 23, and members of Parliament would vote on the draft. If the resolution was passed, undoubtedly it would have a significant effect on blocking the implementation of the anti-subversion law in HK. Nevertheless, I was too busy to pay much attention to this issue at that time.

In mid-November, the practitioners in Ireland held a Fa Conference. After those who attended the Conference shared their understanding of the anti-subversion law in the Conference, it finally dawned on me that I was too indifferent and even too insensitive to realize the seriousness of this issue. What's even worse was that I noticed quite a few practitioners around me also bore the same sentiment. It reminded me of the situation in last April when the head of the evil paid a visit to Germany. Since many fellow practitioners were tied up with their work in hand, they didn't perceive the importance of the opportunity. After that incident, they woke up to the seriousness of the situation, and thus started do a better job in eliminating the evil afterward. This time, the evil forces took a new approach, and apparently it is aimed at Dafa. Should we be restrained or deceived by this evil tactic.

After exchanging viewpoints with local practitioners and the practitioners in Hong Kong, we came up with a consensus: We should take advantage of this opportunity to further clarify the truth to a broader extent, because the influence of Article 23 involves more people and it is closely related to ordinary people's benefits. By doing so, not only can we let more people realize the evil's intrinsic nature, but we can also thwart the evil altogether and save these sentient beings.

Some practitioners also perceived that this would be an opportunity for us to clarify the truth of Falun Gong to parliamentarians, in particular the members of the European Parliament. They then started to call members of the European Parliament, and arrange meetings with them. Their main objective was to let them know the cruel persecution of Falun Gong in China, and the serious consequences of banning Falun Gong in Hong Kong. The members of the European Parliament realized the harmful nature of the legislation right away, and wanted to help our practitioners. Seemingly they are helping our practitioners, but practitioners clearly understand that they in fact are positioning themselves. However, the evil would never stop its last ditch struggle. They had some people interfere with the Parliament Members, and urged them to support the legislation of Article 23, saying that it would be a protection for Hong Kong. According to some Parliament Members, the evil would have someone lobby them before casting votes. Of course, no matter what kind of tactic they employ or in what form it manifests, we should maintain powerful righteous thoughts, and should not slack off a bit. Some practitioners didn't show much enthusiasm to the group practice of exercises in front of the European Commission. They held the view that a few practitioners there would suffice; others felt that they were tired; still others were tied up with other matters. All kinds of mentalities, however, are tests for us. As we all know, the interference from the evil is aimed at our heart. Master Li once mentioned: "Even though the old forces do exist, if you don't have those thoughts they can't do anything." Therefore, our complete body as well as individual practitioner's thoughts should be with sufficient righteousness, and "our mind has to be absolutely clear and rational, the force of our thoughts needs to be focused and strong, with an air of supremacy and of destroying all evil in the cosmos." ("Righteous Thoughts")

We should not be attached to everyday people's achievements, but we should do what a Dafa disciple is supposed to do well in order to help more sentient beings position themselves.

The above is my personal understanding; your comments are welcomed.