(Minghui.org) My husband and I started practicing Falun Dafa in 2004. Since then, we have changed from addicted gamblers known as the "Mahjong couple" by family, neighbors and coworkers to today's happy couple that can think about the wellbeing of others. We have personally witnessed the greatness of Falun Dafa, and have come to understand that Dafa is the Buddha Law that can truly save sentient beings.
Suffering and Confusion under the Evil Party's Rule
Forty-eight years ago, I was born to a very poor family in the chaotic 1960s in China. My father was working out of town and my mother lived with us five children and our grandmother while working various temporary jobs.
I started to work as soon as I graduated the specialized secondary school due to my family's financial difficulties.
Overworked, my mother suffered a stroke and passed away in her 50s. This was a heavy blow to me and I had to rethink my understanding of the meaning of life. However, brainwashed by the Communist Party, I could not figure out what was more meaningful other than fulfilling one's desires.
Later on I moved to a big city and met my future husband. He is very kindhearted, but he liked to play mahjong and smoke. I cherished every moment with him so I went along with him to his mahjong games. Gradually, I became addicted to mahjong too. The two of us would spend every day on the mahjong table, gambling and smoking cigarettes, so we became known as the "Mahjong Couple." Our stakes became larger and larger, and consequently our financial situation became worse. Our health deteriorated too. My husband's addiction to cigarettes was extremely severe as he smoked four to five packs of cigarettes every day. I had been trying everything I could to help him quit, but we failed every time. I wondered, is this what I wanted for the rest of my life? It wasn't, but I was not able to change it.
Gaining a Second Life in Dafa Cultivation and Benefiting the Whole Family
My husband has a coworker who is a Falun Dafa practitioner. He told my husband many stories of the miracles and wonders of Dafa. My husband believed them and repeated them to me at home. However, as an individual brainwashed by the evil party, I did not really believe them and only liked to listen to them as stories. I also read the book Zhuan Falun out of curiosity, but did not find what I was looking for.
As the persecution continued, my husband's coworker was arrested. However, he had previously hid his Dafa books in our home. After he was released, he came to our home and clarified the facts to us. However, all of our attention was on the mahjong table. It wasn't until later, when we lost all hope in life, and while his coworker continued telling my husband "not to miss this chance in eons" that my husband finally decided to start practicing cultivation in Dafa.
The Buddha Fa's compassion and wonder manifested immediately after this precious thought of his emerged. My husband immediately stopped smoking and became sick as soon as he smelled cigarettes. During our constant Fa-study later on, we have come to understand that every word Master said is the truth. About quiting smoking, Master said,
"If you want to quit, it is guaranteed that you can do it. When you smoke a cigarette again, it will not taste right. If you read this lecture in the book, it will also have this effect." (Zhuan Falun, Lecture Seven)
It only took this one sentence for the addiction that had plagued us for years to disappear. From then on, my husband has not smoked a single cigarette or touched mahjong a single time.
Witnessing his changes, I started practicing cultivation too. We got rid of all of our bad habits and became healthy, positive and cheerful. Our entire family has benefited from Dafa. My eldest brother had been wrongfully imprisoned for more than 10 years in this chaotic era, and suffered devastating damage to his mind and body in prison. Consequently, he could not lead a normal life in society, and he resorted to making a living by unlawful means. From practicing Dafa, I understood the principles that good is rewarded with goodness and evil meets with with karmic retribution, and often tried to pursuade my brother not to do unlawful things anymore. He accepted the truth and stopped doing bad things. He now makes a living by working hard and has earned enough money to buy a new house. My younger brother and sister, as well as my father, have come to understand the truth and they all support me in practicing cultivation. My younger brother used to have poor health, but he is doing better and better now. My younger sister's business is doing very well. My father, in his 80s, is very healthy. I know that these are all the blessings of Dafa. Most of the family members on my father's side have quit the evil Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations
Under our care, my in-laws are doing very well too. When they're in a bad mood, my husband and I talk with them using Dafa principles, and eventually they change their perspective and become happier.
Grasping the opportunity and refining my conduct in Dafa
To clarify some people's misunderstandings of Dafa practitioners, I would like to point out that we are no different than average people on the surface, except that we do not have those bad habits and are more self-disciplined. We study the Fa every day and conduct ourselves according to the standard of Dafa at work and at home. We practice the five sets of exercises every day and refine our mind and body with the Buddha Fa. This happiness and joy are not understood by people who do not practice cultivation.
My husband was addicted to gambling before practicing Dafa. He had asked for a transfer from working in the office to working in the field because it was more convenient to gamble. He did not care about his parents or family and often asked to leave work. After he started practicing cultivation, he conducts himself according to the Fa and strives to be a good person under every circumstance. He works conscientiously and is not concerned about loss or gain. He never complains about anything and has earned a good reputation among his coworkers. He was nominated for and won the best individual in his company this year. It is not a secret that he is a Falun Gong practitioner and everyone is amazed at Dafa's wonderfulness after witnessing his changes.
We sometimes have conflicts at home, but we both know to look inside afterward and think from the point of view of the other. Such happy couples as we are very common among Dafa practitioners.
Since I started practicing cultivation in Dafa, I have also gotten rid of my addiction to mahjong. Dafa has rectified everything for me. My illnesses are gone, and I have found a job. Our financial situation has improved much. My life is busy, full and happy.
How lucky we are to live in this time when Dafa is spreading, and to have become Dafa disciples!
In fact, everyone has Buddha nature and longs for the Buddha Fa. Falun Dafa has told people the most profound principles using the most understandable language. When someone tells you the truth, please listen and think about it. Please do not miss the truth of the Buddha Fa for which you have waited eons!
