(Minghui.org) I began practicing Falun Dafa in 1999. After the persecution of Dafa began in July 1999, I was arrested and detained in a brainwashing center, then given a year of forced labor. I came to Canada in May of 2008 when I was 64 years old.
I have been going to a tourist site in Alberta to reach out to Chinese people and tell them the truth about Falun Dafa and the persecution. For many Chinese, because of the severe information blockade in China, coming overseas is their only opportunity to learn the real story of Falun Dafa.
When I started, I did not know how to start a conversation with so many people. I was afraid of rejection and losing face. So I sat on a bench and tried to send forth righteous thoughts. But I couldn't concentrate. When I was in China, I talked to people about Falun Gong in front of the police and was not afraid. Why couldn't I do it now?
I thought of our fellow practitioners who were still being incarcerated in China. Why couldn't I open my mouth to help them now? I knew I must overcome this fear. Eventually, I forced myself to walk over to groups of tourists. I helped them take group photos to engage them in conversation. Many of them were happy to talk to me. When I met people from my hometown area, we spoke in our dialect and they immediately felt more comfortable. Some of the tourists asked me about the immigration process and the social benefits in Canada. I used this opportunity to compare the governments of China and Canada, leading to the topic of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) corruption and the crimes it has committed. Then I could bring up the topic of the importance of quitting the CCP. Many Chinese tourists readily agreed to do so.
Master has arranged for people with predestined relationships with Dafa to come to our tourist site. When they ask me questions about Falun Gong and repeat the lies they've heard from the CCP's propaganda, I first thank them for telling me what they believe. This immediately makes them feel more comfortable with me and they change their initially hostile attitude. Then I discuss the truth along with verifiable facts, including the staged self-immolation and the Chinese regime's forced organ harvesting of imprisoned practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. In this way I lead them to analyze the credibility of the information themselves. Most of the time, this approach can open people's hearts and they are receptive to hearing more about Dafa.
Most people who visit from China are well off financially. Some of them are unable to recognize the evilness of the CCP, but when I bring up topics that they are personally concerned about, such as poisoned food, the bad air quality, rampant corruption, etc., and compare the situations in Canada and China, they can clearly see the difference. Then I tell them how the CCP has destroyed traditional Chinese culture and led to the precipitous decline of morality in China. Many of them agree with me.
Many of the tourists I talk to are pleased to withdraw from the CCP and its affiliates. Some shake my hand and sincerely thank me. Some want their picture taken with me. I can truly sense their happiness after hearing the truth.
After I had been at the tourist site for some time and accumulated some positive experiences, I did much better. More and more people withdrew from the CCP and its affiliates. Along the way, I have discovered many of my attachments: competitiveness, zealotry, vanity, jealousy, fear of hardship, and complaining. I am gradually getting rid of them. Master said, “The entire cultivation process for a cultivator is one of constantly giving up human attachments.” (Zhuan Falun)
Even though I was 64 years old when I moved to Canada, I decided to learn English since I knew that I could save more people if I could speak English. I was the oldest student in the class but my grades were the best. I clarified the truth to my classmates and the teacher. They all respected and supported me. They also signed the petition to help stop the forced organ harvesting.
I also participated in all of our group Dafa activities such as sending forth righteous thoughts at the Chinese Consulate, attending news conferences for rescuing fellow practitioners imprisoned in China, taking part in rallies, as well as the car tour around Canada to raise awareness about the organ harvesting. I wanted to use every opportunity to help let more people know the facts of Falun Gong and about the persecution.
I have collected many signatures to stop the forced organ harvesting. I've reached out to people in all kinds of weather. Many kind people have shown sympathy and support. Some even cried after learning the truth. Some people did not want to sign the petition when I first asked them. But after they heard what I told other people, they came back and signed. Some Chinese people came up to sign the petition without my asking them.
When Chinese President Xi visited Seattle in 2015, I went to Seattle to take part in the peaceful protest. I saw a reporter taking pictures of the protest and talked to her as she walked past me. I told her that my daughter was detained in China for practicing Falun Gong and I'd come to ask President Xi to stop the persecution and to bring Jiang Zemin to justice. She interviewed me for more than an hour about my ordeal in China and the persecution of my daughter and promised to write an article about my experience. She indeed published an article in one of the Seattle media. I was happy for her to take the correct stance on Dafa.
Whether we clarify the truth to Canadian citizens or to Chinese tourists, not only are we saving people, but we are also cultivating away our attachments and improving ourselves. I still have shortcomings and need to improve. I will cultivate diligently and strictly with the limited time left to fulfill my vow and return home with Master.
Thank you, Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners.