(Minghui.org) Editor’s note: In the persecution of Falun Gong, the Communist regime saturates China with propaganda to turn public opinion against Falun Gong practitioners. In many cases, those affected include practitioners’ family members. Below, the author shares how, over the course of ten years, she came to understand her parents and overcome fear to voice her support for them.
***
I'm a shy woman in my forties in a rural village in Fujin, Heilongjiang Province. My timid and cautious personality almost led me to do something I would've regretted deeply for the rest of my life. I hope my experience can serve as a lesson for others.
There are several Falun Dafa practitioners in my village, including my parents. They've all benefited a lot from the practice and are in excellent health. Because I feared the Communist Party authorities and worried about my parents' safety, as well as my losing face in front of others, I forced my parents not to talk to others about the persecution of Falun Dafa.
My father was detained numerous times, yet no matter how much he suffered, he always said to me when he saw me:
“I don't want you to worry about us. We didn't do anything wrong. The Communist Party has persecuted good people again and again in its campaigns. This time it's targeting Falun Dafa practitioners who just want to be good people based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
“Falun Dafa is a cultivation way towards Buddhahood, and whoever persecutes Dafa and its practitioners will be condemned by Heaven. How can I keep silent when I see people being deceived by the Party into helping it commit crimes? How can I not tell people the truth when I have learned the truth myself? It would be against my conscience.”
“You must never do anything that will help the evil do evil. I don't need you to do anything but simply support us morally. I hope you will truly understand the facts.”
He had tears in his eyes every time he said these words to me. But I was confused and didn't fully understand what he was talking about.
People who are deceived by the Party's lies tend to avoid Falun Dafa practitioners.
One old lady in our village always refused to listen when my mother told her about Dafa and the persecution. In 2005, this 79-year-old lady developed a nasty skin disorder: her entire body itched, and when she scratched, her skin bled. Within a short time, it spread all over her body, including her ears and scalp. Her skin turned hard and coarse, like that of a toad.
She went to see a doctor but received no diagnosis. She brought back a variety of medications, but nothing helped. Her health deteriorated, and she also began to lose her hearing.
She visited my mother one day and said that she wanted to practice Falun Dafa, but she was worried because she couldn't read. My mother told her that she wasn't able to read either, but now she can read Zhuan Falun, the primary book of Dafa.
My mother also told her that Dafa is extraordinary, and as long as she truly wanted to practice cultivation, Master would take care of her. They chatted for a long time.
Afterward, the old lady came to see my mother every day and listened as practitioners read the book to her. She also obtained a copy of Zhuan Falun for herself and learned to recognize many characters. After studying the book, she would learn the exercises before going home. She conducted herself according to Dafa's principles.
A few days later, she came to tell my mother, “I heard someone saying 'This is the Falun Heavenly Circulation exercise' while I was watching the exercise video in my dream last night.” My mother told her that Master was encouraging her.
The old lady told her daughter later, “You can return the medication that hasn't been opened. I don't need them anymore. I now practice Falun Dafa.” Her daughter said, “It would be wonderful if you can get better by practicing Falun Dafa.”
Miracles indeed happened: in just over two weeks, the old lady felt much less itchy, and her skin nearly stopped bleeding. After shedding the outer layer of dead skin, she looked much better.
My sister-in-law's father had seen a similar skin disorder before and told the old lady, “It will take at least three years for your skin to return to normal.” My mother replied, “Dafa is extraordinary. It won't take that long.”
Indeed, in just six months, the old lady completely recovered from her ordeal. Her hearing returned to normal, too. When her daughter helped her with a bath and saw her smooth skin, she said, “Mom, I'm really convinced that Falun Dafa is good! Just keep practicing.”
My sister-in-law's father also started practicing Dafa when he developed health problems. If my mother hadn't told them about Falun Gong, the old lady and my sister-in-law's father would not have regained their health.
If my parents had given in to the Party's pressure and given up Falun Dafa, they would not be in such good health or enjoy such a harmonious family. My mother has been taking good care of my grandfather all this time. Nearly 100 years old and still in good health, my grandfather also practices Falun Dafa. He hasn't needed any medications or injections in over ten years.
My parents risk their own safety to tell people the facts about Falun Dafa so that they can avoid harm and danger. Aren't they saving people?!
When I fully understood the facts, I was so proud to have such parents. At the same time I feel deeply ashamed for being selfish and timid. Earlier, when my parents suffered harsh persecution both physically and mentally, I ignorantly sided with the authorities and tried to stop them.
I knew that my parents hadn't done anything wrong, but I tried to force them to stay silent. What I did was no different from helping the evil do evil. I was also effectively harming myself. How sad my parents must have felt! If I had supported my parents, even if I couldn't do much, it would have reduced their suffering, as they would have felt much better in their hearts. But what had I done?!
An old lady in a nearby village suffered repeated harassment and threats from police. Her house was also ransacked a number of times. One day, the police returned. Her granddaughter-in-law stood in the doorway and told the officers in a dignified manner:
“My grandmother practices Falun Dafa, and she enjoys good health and tries to be a good person. What crime has she committed by doing this? Don't even think that you're going to walk through this door if you can't show me the legal documents. I will sue you for robbery and for breaking the law in the name of enforcing the law.” The police drove away in a huff.
I now understand what I should do, and I would like to tell people: My fellow countrymen, let us stand up and speak out for justice for our loved ones. Let us call for an end to all persecution and torture! This is helping others as well as helping ourselves.
