Falun Dafa Minghui.org www.minghui.org PRINT

Cultivating Myself and Saving People While Running a Private School

October 22, 2019 |   By a Falun Dafa practitioner in China

(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Dafa in 2007. As I study the Fa and improve my understandings, I increasingly feel that my job of running a private school was arranged by Master Li.

Today's society is corrupt, and people live to pursue fame and money and always look for ways to make more. Schools also look for ways to make money. They create extra programs for which they can charge fees. To get special treatment for their children, students’ parents offer teachers food and drink, entertainment, gifts, and even money. Teachers often take these perks for granted.

Before I became a practitioner, I accepted those things, thinking that as long as I didn’t ask for them, it was okay to accept them. I thought I was a good person compared to those who scrambled after money. I didn't recognize this problem when I first started practicing. Yet, for a period of time, those ill-gotten, often-valuable goods got lost or destroyed for no reason. I even fell a few times before I looked within. I realized such things happened because I accepted benefits that didn’t belong to me.

Master Li said:

“But as the universe works, everything comes at a cost. You can’t get something for nothing, and if you don’t personally pay, you will be forced to. And by whom, you ask? It will be enforced by the underlying qualities of the universe. So you can’t get away with not paying, wish as you may.” (The First Talk, Zhuan Falun)

I realized it was time for me to get rid of the attachment to self-interest. As a Falun Dafa disciple, I should always remember Master's teachings and try to be honorable. I now truly follow Dafa principles and cultivate myself. I think about the students and only charge them reasonable tuition fees. When I couldn't refuse cash gifts, I used the money for competitions, parties, field trips, and other activities.

Manufacturers give teachers commissions to promote their products, but I no longer accept them. Because there is no added commission, our school items are priced fairly, and our students even buy things for students at other schools.

When I teach, I pay attention to quality and treat each student with compassion. I am very careful when I grade exams and score competitions, and I treat each student impartially no matter which class they are in.

Educational agencies give teachers commissions to urge students to sign up for their certificates, but I refuse to do this. I only encourage students to seek certificates that apply to their studies. Some of these certificates either overlap or have nothing to do with their field of interest. I explain this to the students and give suggestions on what to do, which saves them time and money. I ask for Master’s help to deter those company reps who come to the school to promote their products, and it works.

Master said,

“One only needs to worry about putting in the effort of practice, and the rest is in the hands of one’s teacher.” (The First Talk, Zhuan Falun

I am very grateful to Master for His arrangements.

Because we follow high standards, many people do not understand us. Some have remarked, “It should be easy to make big money based on your school ranking, teaching quality, and number of students.” Some people even told me how to charge more money. My heart was not moved by their suggestions. I told them about virtue, the relationship between loss and gain, and the principles behind being a good person.

Some of my students said, “We went to other schools to inquire about the quality of teaching, the fees, and other things. It seems our school is the best. Quite a few people prefer our school despite having to travel a long way. We would be glad to advertise for you.” Therefore, we have plenty of students, and even those who do not understand us are moved by the facts.

Schools are like small societies. There are students from different social classes and with different personalities. There are also officials, ordinary people, and even spies from the National Security Office and the 610 Office. I always remember Master's teachings, and study the Fa well and more frequently. I also participate in the small group Fa study every week and recite and copy Zhuan Falun. I also share cultivation experiences with fellow practitioners and look within. 

Because I practice Dafa, I am healthy, poised, and calm and truly care about our students. The students say, “Teacher, you are so considerate and really kind, so we like to study in your class.” Having a good relationship with my students is a good start for me to clarify the truth to them.

When I teach a class, I incorporate Dafa principles, traditional Chinese culture, and current affairs and news that I can access on Freegate. They really like this combination and say I am a “talented woman.” Students are willing to talk openly with me and seek my advice. Naturally I raise the topic of quitting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. When the time is right, I help them quit such memberships. If some are interested in learning more, I give them Freegate software and pamphlets with information about Dafa and the persecution. More than 30 colleagues and students have studied Zhuan Falun, and others have started practicing Dafa.

The student turnover rate is very high because they often come for temporary consultations, free trial courses, exams, and to register for competitions. I try to take every opportunity to tell them the facts about Falun Dafa and convince them to quit the CCP.

If there is not much time, I just give them information and the Freegate software. Most students who have been at the school for a long time are eventually willing to quit the CCP. Some said, “You are such a good person. I believe in you, so I will quit.”

Spies from the National Security Agency and 610 Office even sat in on my classes. They identified themselves after they got to know me. I said, “Thank you for your trust. I need to tell you something.” Then I told them the truth about Falun Dafa and convinced them to quit the CCP.

I have also been invited to their offices to teach them how to use Freegate and access more information about Dafa and quitting the CCP online. I advised the 610 Office staff not to do evil things to Dafa adherents anymore and asked them to help practitioners whenever possible so they will have a good future. They all understood and promised they would.

I was once invited to give a lecture at a very remote location. I went just so I could talk about Falun Dafa. The people in the audience there were very easygoing and had not heard about quitting the CCP. I explained it in detail, so all the students, receptionists, and other staff members renounced their CCP memberships. They were very touched and insisted on treating me to a meal. Someone said, “We must treat you for traveling such a long distance to save us.” I couldn’t wriggle out of it, so I went to dinner only to discover that they had brought their family members. I also convinced them to quit the CCP. Even the waiters in the restaurant quit. Everything went well, and the evening was a big success!

Not only do I talk to people about Falun Dafa at school, I also participate in social activities and gatherings. At a class reunion, I brought gifts for each attendee, which included an informational VCD and Freegate software.

One retired teacher and some of my former classmates were also invited. And although we hadn't seen each other for decades, my former classmates all commented on my youthful appearance and good health. When they took me aside to chat, I told them about Falun Dafa. I even convinced our teacher to quit. She then invited me to her home to clarify the truth to her family. At the end of the party, a few classmates had still not heard the facts about Dafa, so I stood in the corridor and talked to each one as they left.

Sometimes, I felt I was overly eager to save people and only talked with them for a short time without touching their hearts, which didn't have a good effect. I felt very sad that they did not quit their membership in the CCP.

I then started paying attention to the way I talked. Especially when dealing with new students, I don't jump in right away. Instead, I try to get close to them and learn about their perspectives, personalities, and hobbies so I can organize appropriate field trips and entertainment activities. I can then clarify the truth in a relaxing atmosphere. This approach is very effective.

I should make good use of this education platform to better cultivate myself and help save more people.