(Minghui.org) There used to be several family-based truth-clarification material production sites in our area. However, all of them were destroyed by the government not long ago. We suffered great losses. Multiple pieces of large equipment and tens of thousands of yuan were confiscated from one of the families.
I was saddened and carefully reflected as to the cause. I found several major areas where we had fallen short, including failing to concentrate while studying the Fa, treating material production as cultivation, failing to mind our words, compromising security, keeping too much cash and raw materials on hand, and much more. I would like to share my understandings, so that fellow practitioners can learn from our lessons.
Importance of Independent Family-based Material Production Sites
Establishing family-based material production sites has great significance. Because of the large number of sites and wide coverage, they have produced a huge number of Falun Gong truth-clarification materials, and played an important role in helping people understand Falun Gong and the severity of the persecution. Family-based sites are flexible when it comes to the purchase of raw materials, time, the amount of production, and distribution of products. They are relatively safer than larger sites because they attract less attention.
With great compassion and painstaking arrangements, Master allows Falun Gong practitioners to be tempered through family-based material production sites and walk our own paths. Many fellow practitioners have gained greater capabilities and wisdom this way, despite the difficulties created by the brutal persecution.
The family production site I know was established eight years ago. It operated independently for the first seven years and was very security conscious. It was able to provide dozens of fellow practitioners with sufficient truth-clarification materials for distribution throughout the years. Because of the excellent cooperation between fellow practitioners, the site operated smoothly without much trouble.
Violating Rule of an Independent Operation
A fellow practitioner suggested we purchase all raw materials for our area at lower costs from other places through a local practitioner last year. It would save us money and time, and we would get materials of better quality. I believed that it would serve us better when offering salvation to sentient beings.
I failed to evaluate this suggestion carefully from the perspective of the Fa. Batches of consumables were delivered to this family for over six months. As a result, the production site was discovered and destroyed. Several printers and dozens of thousands of yuan were confiscated. The practitioner who purchased materials from other towns ended up being arrested. He is still imprisoned.
I deeply regret what I had done, and realized I had not strictly followed the Fa when making the decision. Even though a large group purchase seemed harmless, it actually violated the rule of an independent operation.
Every step of the independent operation has been arranged by Master for practitioners’ cultivation. Following this seemingly efficient idea ended up badly. I also remember a lesson from a few years ago, when a practitioner purchased a large quantity of Shen Yun DVDs for practitioners in several cities in one area of North China. Many practitioners involved were arrested.
In addition, over-reliance on one practitioner's efforts could arise out of attachments to comfort. It is a potential liability for those relying on others and those being relied upon. It could also foster attachments to accomplishments, zealotry, and complacency. Family-based production sites have to truly operate independently. Otherwise, it wouldn't be any different from large production sites.
Pitfalls of Overstocking
I know that this particular production site and some others overstocked on raw materials and cash. In addition, broken or unused equipment piled up, taking up a lot of space. It amounts to a waste of resources.
Donations from fellow practitioners for truth-clarification material production was also kept at home, even though not much cash was immediately needed. I know the family doesn't use a penny of the donations for themselves, but they didn't keep a clear record of incoming and outgoing cash. Some production sites even saved more than a year's worth of costs. We have to keep a good record of cash flow, and not accept more donations than needed. The money could have been used to establish more production sites.
We have to walk every step well, because it's our cultivation – not a job. Any purchase and consumption has to be evaluated carefully to avoid overstocking.
Let's make the best use of our precious resources to offer salvation to as many sentient beings as possible.
