My Treasured Book

(Minghui.org) I was deep in debt and struggling with poor health while doing odd jobs in Beijing in 1998. I felt helpless and had lost all hope. By chance, I came across Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa, in a barbershop and was immediately drawn to its profound teachings. I took up the practice, and since then my life has been completely transformed.

Zhuan Falun is a rare treasure to me. Despite my financial constraints, I didn’t hesitate to use the 12 yuan I had saved to buy a copy of the book. I read the rest of the Falun Gong books by borrowing or copying them by hand.

I once saw a hardcover copy of Zhuan Falun at a fellow practitioner’s home. I liked it so much that I made a wish to have one myself and cherish it for generations to come. I later discovered that this hardcover was no longer being printed and distributed, so my wish became a dream and a fond memory.

After the Chinese Communist Party began to persecute Falun Gong in 1999, our cultivation entered a new phase. I tried my best to do the three things well and assist Master in saving people. I gradually forgot my longing for a hardcover copy of Zhuan Falun.

One day in 2001, a neighbor who had heard me clarifying the truth before pulled me aside and said, “I’ve got a copy of ‘your’ book, which is exquisite.” I asked him what was the title of the book, what color was it, and how did he get it? He recounted what had happened the day before.

This neighbor was a temporary stevedore at a small toilet paper factory near our village. The raw materials used by this factory were recycled books and newspapers collected from waste collection stations all over.

The day before, this neighbor had gone to another county to collect raw materials. As he was loading them up, he noticed a large, thick book wrapped in a red velvet cover, and his eyes lit up. The driver looked at it and said, “This is a Falun Gong book, so I don’t dare read it.” As he spoke, he casually removed the cover and threw the book into the pile of waste paper in the truck.

The neighbor did not say anything but remembered where the book was. When he unloaded the truck, he found and hid the book in his coat and brought it home.

Given his detailed description, I figured that it had to be a copy of the hardcover Zhuan Falun, the book I had longed for. He showed me the book that night and it was indeed what I thought it was! I was so excited, “It is a great book. Please keep it with care. If you do not want it, I will keep it for you. I can pay you, too.”

“I saved it for you!” he said. “I learned how good Falun Gong is from you. I also saw how much you changed after taking up the practice. You are so firm and sincere in your faith, I was moved. I thought you would surely like this book. I did not want to see such a great thing get ruined.” I was so thankful that I gave him my wages for the day, which he gratefully accepted.

I was deeply grateful to compassionate Master for arranging for me to get the book! I cherished the book from the moment I had it.

Later, when I was arrested for upholding my faith, I asked Master to protect the treasured book from being confiscated by the police, who indeed never searched the room where I kept the book, even though they seized many other books and the printer I used to print truth-clarification materials.

Shortly after that, my wife was also arrested, and our home was raided a second time. I worried about my Dafa books, particularly about the treasured one.

After I was released, a fellow practitioner came to visit me and gave me the treasured book. It turned out he’d taken the book for safekeeping after learning of my arrest. My gratitude to Master and the fellow practitioner was beyond words!

These amazing stories about my treasured book made me realize that Master is watching over and protecting us at all times. I will do well the three things and carry out my historic mission, which is the only way I can repay Master’s compassionate salvation.