(Minghui.org) Ever since I started Dafa cultivation, I’ve been conducting myself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in every aspect of life. I am forever indebted to Master for purifying my body and elevating my morality. Master’s enormous sacrifice has brought hope to people during this Dharma-ending period.
1. My Illnesses Disappear with Dafa Cultivation
Prior to cultivation, I had suffered from numerous kinds of illnesses, including stomach problems, arthritis, and neurasthenia, for nearly 15 years, during which my weight dropped from about 125 to 100 pounds.
One day in June 1996, I went to look for a colleague of mine, but she was not in her office at the time. I nonetheless stayed for a while, and noticed that the lobby outside her office was playing Master’s lecture video. To be honest, I didn’t have much idea of what Master was talking about, but my stomach felt warm the entire time. When I told my colleague about this the next day, she said it must be that Master had installed Falun in me, and she lent me a copy of the book Zhuan Falun to read. I was deeply in awe the very first day I read the book and made up my mind right away to cultivate Falun Gong. While reading the book, I felt my entire body become surrounded by a strong energy field and very comfortable. By the time I finished the book, I found answers to many of the questions that had puzzled me in the past.
Next, I attended a nine-day seminar to watch Master’s lecture videos with other people. At the conclusion of the seminar, my body felt very light, and all my illnesses disappeared without a trace. I became even stronger than when I was younger. I was truly amazed by this practice. Three months later my skin became fairer and more delicate, and everyone commented that I looked younger and younger. Many miracles occurred. I was once badly burned, yet there were no blisters or swelling. Another time I was cut by a sharp knife, but the bleeding stopped quickly. I knew it was a result of my following the Fa principles, as I gained good health without pursuit.
2. Rectifying Myself with Dafa Principles; The Renewed Me is Well Regarded by My Supervisor and Colleagues
Before I began cultivating, I complained about everything. I became upset when I was given a heavy workload without receiving over-time pay. I easily became frustrated if the job at hand was too hard for me. I wasn’t happy when other people got more benefits or took advantage of me. After I became a Dafa practitioner, however, I rectified myself with Dafa principles and no longer cared about personal fame and gain. I became more considerate of others and thus became well regarded by my supervisor and colleagues.
Putting Others First When It Comes to Personal Gain
At my school, there were always some professors fighting for tenure and promotion. I was just like them before my Falun Gong cultivation. I changed my attitude however, since I knew I needed to take personal gains lightly. When I was up for tenure and promotion in 1997, there was only one quota, which meant that either I or another professor could get the position. My department chair wanted to give the promotion to my colleague, citing the financial difficulty her family faced after the passing of her husband. After all, whoever was tenured received another five-year employment contract. The chairperson had prepared to persuade me to step aside that year, so she was really surprised when I told her it was perfectly fine with me for my colleague to receive tenure and a promotion.
I filed my application again the next year. While putting together my dossier, I realized I had included some incorrect statements in my previous year’s application. As such, I removed them this time around. Several days later my department chair asked me why something was missing in my package, so I told her the truth. She was very worried and told me that I could face adverse consequences without the previously included articles and grant projects. I said that those achievements were fabricated, and I was determined to be truthful. Even though I didn’t get promoted, those on the promotion and tenure committee were all surprised by my honesty. One of the professors on the committee was a well-known scholar and he commented that people like me were extremely rare these days.
Despite Being Sent to a Labor Camp, I was Still Chosen as “Employee of the Year”
Since I made a very good impression on my colleagues, they all wanted me back after I was released from illegal detention in a labor camp in 2003. One senior professor in particular, said that they all witnessed how my health had improved, and they felt that my righteousness was extremely precious. He often pressed his hands together to greet me and even shouted “Falun Dafa is good.”
After my return to work, I continued to conduct myself with Dafa principles. The following year, I was chosen as “Employee of the Year.” I knew that was a result of my hard work and my following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
During my two years of imprisonment, my school gave me only a 500 yuan stipend. I had no savings at the time of my release, yet under pressure from higher-ups, my school gave me the lowest bonus the first two years after I returned to work. They later resumed my normal workload however, and I worked hard to make up for the lost work time. As it turned out, my over-time pay was about the same as two years’ pay. When I let go of my attachment to material interests, I received what I had lost during my first two years back at work.
3. Holding Firm to Truth and Safeguarding Dafa
I was shocked when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suddenly launched its persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. I couldn’t come to terms with this brutal attack on such a wonderful practice.
Never Give up Cultivation
When my school and my family pressured me to give up my cultivation, I responded without hesitation, “It’s impossible to make me give up my cultivation. I will cultivate all the way to the end.” I pondered on what I should do to be worthy of being a Dafa disciple. Falun Dafa is the Buddha Law, and it is our good fortune to be born in this era when Dafa is being taught. We should cherish this precious Fa. How could cultivators remain indifferent and allow people to slander Dafa and our compassionate Master? We must stop the government and non-practitioners from committing crimes against Dafa. I went to Beijing four times to appeal.
Dafa Gives Me Courage to Overcome Adversity
I was persecuted because I appealed. I was incarcerated and tortured at various detention centers in Beijing and Chongqing. During the two years I was kept at Chongqing Women’s Forced Labor Camp, my husband divorced me, leaving our then-eight-year-old child to suffer the pain and pressure of a broken family.
I was heartbroken after returning to a broken family and traumatized child. Why was it so hard to be a good person? Had it not been for Dafa, I would have chosen to end my life. Dafa gave me courage to overcome adversity. I didn’t collapse, but instead believed in my chosen path in cultivation, and I knew my sacrifice was worthwhile.
Under pressure, my school listed me as a primary target after the persecution began. There were people everywhere watching over me, be it at school or around my apartment building. Even when I went shopping, I saw people following me. There was more surveillance whenever a so-called sensitive date came up, which added more pressure to my life.
I treasure Dafa and everything I have gained from cultivation, and I know deeply the responsibility and mission of Dafa disciples. People who are unable to be saved by Dafa are true victims of this evil persecution. In order to save more people, I am determined to do my best to let everyone I encounter know that “Falun Dafa is good,” and that they should follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in conducting themselves. I will continue to do the three things required of Dafa disciples in earnest.
From the Call for Submissions to Commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of Falun Dafa's Introduction
