(Minghui.org) Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
I’m a new practitioner and I’ve cultivated for more than two years. I actually obtained the Fa before 1999, and I practiced Falun Dafa with my parents. When the persecution began, I gave up cultivation and immersed myself in ordinary society. However, my belief in Dafa remained firm. Whenever I encountered danger, I silently recited, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” While working at a hospital, I persuaded relatives, friends and hospital colleagues to renounce their membership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated youth organizations. I also distributed truth-clarification materials to my colleagues and friends. Yet one day, a great test disrupted my peaceful life.
I worked as a pharmacist in a hospital for 22 years. With my pharmacy license, I enjoyed a comfortable position envied by others. In contrast, my husband’s career remained unstable and his various business ventures ended up in losses. In 2019, with encouragement from a friend, he opened a restaurant. But poor management, coupled with the COVID pandemic, eventually led to our bankruptcy. We had no choice but to sell our house. Forced to resign from the hospital, I emigrated to South Korea with my husband to work.
South Korea was a strange and unfamiliar place. I took on a job I’d never done before, and replaced my white lab coat with dusty work clothes. The hardest part was acknowledging my new situation. “Why me? How am I supposed to go on?” My face was constantly bathed in tears as I struggled to keep going.
In this moment of immense suffering, an inextinguishable light illuminated my path —Falun Dafa. I recalled the words often spoken by my mother, a Dafa practitioner: “Humans are born to suffer. Illness and tribulations arise from the karma accumulated over lifetimes, and these karmic debts must be repaid. We should view these as good things.” I comforted myself with these words as I gradually adapted to my new life. After I calmed down, I started talking to the other Chinese people at my workplace about Falun Dafa and the persecution, persuading them to withdraw from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. I also gave them amulets I’d brought from China, which had information about Falun Dafa.
I’d just resigned and was hunting for work when my arms and legs suddenly felt itchy. Small pustules, which began oozing, appeared. Believing my troublesome eczema had flared up again, I panicked and immediately visited several hospitals. However, the treatments they provided were ineffective. I knew there was no other way but to practice Falun Dafa, but I knew how arduous the cultivation path would be. So I hesitated.
A fellow practitioner gave me a lot of help and encouragement. My husband’s words also pulled me out of my indecisiveness, “If you want to cultivate, then cultivate well. Otherwise just give up. You don’t want to go to the hospital, neither do you want to cultivate. What do you want?” I knew Master was using my husband’s mouth to advice me, and I made up my mind to study the Fa.
Whenever my resolve wavered, I talked to an older practitioner, corrected my thoughts, and learned how to cultivate better. I persisted in practicing the exercises every morning. Whenever it felt hard to get out of bed, I silently recited phrases from the Fa in my mind. My skin gradually healed. Just as my condition saw improvement, the back of my left hand started to itch, manifesting the same eczema symptoms. I’d had this eczema on both my hands ten years ago. This time, I believed Master was trying to completely cleanse my body. As I drained the blisters one by one, I murmured to myself, “My karma is heavy. Master is helping me eliminate karma. This is a good thing. Let this dirty pus drain out quickly.”
Perhaps this was a righteous thought, because the pus decreased the following day and my skin began to heal. People around me were amazed because my skin healed faster than they imagined. This experience increased my determination to cultivate Dafa. Soon after, my chronic insomnia, rhinitis, pharyngitis, atrophic gastritis, cervical spondylosis, and other ailments that had tormented me for years began to see improvement.
In February 2023, I was told about my father’s critical injury in a car accident. I rushed back to China, but my father did not recognize me. With a heavy heart, my mother and I whispered in my father’s ear over and over, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” My loving father was worried about my future when I was forced to move to South Korea. Besides failing to fulfill my duty as a daughter, I hadn’t been able to set my father’s mind at ease over my living conditions. Grief-stricken, I handled my father’s funeral arrangements before I returned to South Korea.
Shortly after my father’s death, my eczema flared up again, which eventually triggered my decision to resume cultivation practice. Afterwards, my regret and accompanying guilt frequently consumed my thoughts. “My father wished me to resume practicing Falun Dafa when he was alive. Now that I’m a practitioner, how happy he would have been!” One morning, I woke up to find I could not lift my head or straighten my upper body. I had to turn to my side, support myself with my arms, grit my teeth and push myself up.
My father suffered cervical spinal injuries as a result of the persecution, leaving him unable to turn his neck freely for a long time. He could only sleep lying flat and he struggled to get up. My condition at that time mirrored that of my father’s. When I told my mother about my condition, she said, “A cultivator must not be swayed by emotion. Quickly let go of your feelings for your father.” I realized my error and sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate these lingering feelings. I found getting up the next morning much easier. That day after work, I sent forth righteous thoughts again, and by the next day, I had fully recovered.
I have a close friend, whom I’ve known for over thirty years, who lives in Incheon. Despite having withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations, she was not willing to learn more about Falun Dafa and the CCP’s persecution of Dafa. The tribulations our family suffered only increased her negative opinion of Dafa. She’d actually seen an Udumbara flower in China a few years before, and I felt bad because she continued to reject Dafa. I decided to write her a truth-clarification letter and over the three days I spent drafting it, I could hear Dafa music echoing in my ears as if Master was encouraging me, or perhaps it was the joyful cheers of beings in other dimensions.
However, I soon encountered considerable interference. My husband started driving to Incheon, but the GPS kept giving us wrong directions. With thirty years of driving experience, my husband was familiar with using the GPS. After driving around for an hour, we finally let the GPS take us home. I decided to take the subway to Incheon the following day, but my legs shook and my head throbbed so badly, my worried husband drove me there himself. This time, we encountered no problems on the road, but the interference to my body was quite severe. I kept sending forth righteous thoughts, but perhaps because my strength was insufficient, it had little effect. Although I managed to deliver the letter, the result was not ideal.
Our cultivation state as Falun Dafa practitioners is critical for our ability to save people. Every weekend, I distribute newspapers in markets and streets frequented by Chinese people, occasionally clarifying the truth to them and persuading them to renounce their memberships in the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Sometimes my efforts go smoothly, while other times I encounter problematic people. A few days ago, while I was distributing newspapers alone, a Chinese man approached me carrying a box of red ginseng, saying he wanted to gift them to me for free. I replied, “We cultivate Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We won’t take advantage of others.” The man’s expression instantly changed and he shouted, “Falun Dafa is a cult! You are Chinese, why do you oppose the Communist Party? I’m a Communist Party member!” He began questioning me aggressively.
I told him, “Chinese law does not state that Falun Dafa is a cult. Don’t be deceived by the CCP's lies. We must distinguish between China and the CCP.” No matter how kindly I talked to him, he persisted in slandering Falun Dafa, hurling vulgarities and attracting a growing crowd.
At this point, I suddenly remembered the advice given by an older fellow practitioner. I looked straight in the man’s eyes and said, “Falun Dafa is the great law of the universe. You too are a part of the universe. Don’t slander Dafa; it’s not good for you.” As soon as these words left my mouth, something unbelievable happened—the arrogant man suddenly gave a broad smile and muttered, “Alright, alright, forget it, I won’t say anymore.” He then turned and left.
I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events and silently said, “Thank you, Master!”
For the longest time, my husband refused to fully trust Dafa. His father was frequently persecuted by the authorities for practicing, so my husband was constantly worried for his safety. Although my husband ran into many difficulties as a result of his parents’ determination to practice, he also received many blessings from Dafa. At the height of the COVID pandemic, he worked with an ever-changing rotation of staff due to the rampant infection. But he never became infected. His previously high liver enzyme levels returned to normal, and his persistent bad breath disappeared. When we bought a car, I was surprised when he asked for a lotus flower amulet to hang in it. He initially objected to my practicing Falun Dafa when we first came to South Korea, but when he saw my improved health and stamina, he stopped saying anything about it.
However, for some reason, he strongly opposed my participation in the “Jeju Island truth-clarification activity” on September 21st. I keenly wished to participate but was forced to give up my plans. Resentment and dissatisfaction with my husband subsequently grew in my heart. Later, a female practitioner told me, “Your husband is an ordinary person, so you should try to understand him better instead of complaining. You should look inward and examine yourself carefully.” That night, while reading Teachings at the Conference in Houston, I came across the following passage:
“Student: My husband is going on a hunger strike to protest my doing the practice.”
“Master: As to this, I think that it actually depends on how you handle it. Normally, all of those who face interference from family members [face it in order to], for one, see whether they cultivate firmly or not; secondly, to see how the cultivator’s xinxing is; and thirdly, to have the family help [the cultivator] to eliminate karma. There are also extremely exceptional instances of people being completely unable to accept the Great Law.”
I re-read this several times, looked inward and realized my situation fit all three points mentioned. Initially, I was on the fence about going to Jeju. Later, after seeing others go, my selfishness got the better of me and I thought, “I want to go Jeju Island to see the scenery.” This thought outweighed my desire to participate in Dafa activities. All sorts of attachments — the pursuit of personal gain, the desire for comfort, resentment, jealousy, and so on — were exposed. I identified and corrected them one by one.
Gradually, my resentment towards my husband lessened, my mind became calmer, my attachments disappeared, and things took a turn for the better. That Saturday evening, our coordinator updated us on the truth-clarification activities to be held the following day, and said, “This is the first time such a large-scale parade has been held. There has never been one this size before.” When I heard this, a thought flashed through my mind: “There has never been one before, and there may never be one again. I must go!” I made up my mind to go no matter what. Instead of discussing this with my husband, I decided to just inform him of my decision. I silently said, “Master, please help me go. I want to participate in this event and save sentient beings.”
This time, my mind was free of any distracting thoughts, and I held onto my resolve. When I got home I told my husband, “I will go to Jeju Island tomorrow. Practitioners have traveled in from Taiwan and Vietnam. If others can fly in from other countries, what excuse do I have for not attending? I have to step forward now.” My tone was resolute and my husband quietly listened. I quickly bought my plane ticket with other practitioners’ help.
The next morning, fellow practitioners rejoiced with me. But my doubt lingered. I comforted myself, “I just need to do better. As long as I don’t deviate from the Fa, there won’t be any problems. I’m doing the most righteous thing, so what’s there to be afraid of?” After the afternoon parade, I called my mother, who excitedly asked me, “How did the event go?”
“It went very well,” I replied weakly. I had only slept two hours the night before and my head felt heavy.
My mother happily praised me, “You did a wonderful job this time and accumulated great merit. Because of your good deed, your husband was blessed. Before sending forth righteous thoughts that noon, I sat cross-legged in meditation and I saw your image. Beautiful flowers were spinning above your head and colorful balloons floated in the air. The whole scene was vivid and bright. When I meditated that afternoon I saw a deep channel resembling a trumpet flower appear in the center of your forehead. The channel extended deeply inwards, without end. Your character has improved so much this time!”
My heart became calm. If my husband initially agreed to let me go, I wouldn’t have gained this level of improvement. My husband was trying to help me eliminate my karma and improve my character. I suddenly realized that my coming to South Korea and various other experiences were because my husband was helping me cultivate. I felt a deep sense of gratitude and remorse towards my husband, sincerely telling myself: I must do better in the future.
After I adjusted my mindset, my husband’s attitude underwent a significant change. Just as Master said, there are no accidental occurrences in cultivation.
After I resumed practicing Falun Dafa, I experienced many miraculous phenomena. I felt both large and small Faluns spinning in my body. The day my Third Eye opened, I saw Master walking towards me, offering me encouragement and blessings. Once, the skin on the tips of my fingers peeled off. Yet when the thought of “rebirth” flashed through my mind, my condition instantly reverted to normal.
Within these two years that I resumed practicing, I dreamed of taking, and failing, my exams three times. The dreams left me feeling extremely regretful and disappointed in myself. Master overcame countless difficulties to grant me more time, yet I made little progress on my cultivation path. Others have gone far ahead. Even if I run, it is not enough, so why am I so unwilling to let go of my various attachments? I am determined to continue doing my best.
Whether at work or in daily life, whenever I encounter difficulties or tribulations, I always recite a phrase I read in an experience sharing article: “Isn’t this my ladder to heaven?” I’ve worked hard to improve my character and let go of my attachments, such as my desire to show off and control others, resentment, self-interest, and jealousy.
Whenever my colleagues praise my abilities and fellow practitioners encourage me to be more diligent, I remind myself to correct my mindset.
Shortly after I resumed cultivating, Master published: “Dafa Spiritual Practice Is Serious.” Master said,
“You were able to join in the practice back when you did because you had made a pledge with your life. It doesn’t matter how old you are or however long ago it may have been; vows are a solemn thing. What this means is that, for those who are saying they no longer practice, it doesn’t matter if you left Dafa long ago or recently: you need to make good on your vow even if you don’t practice anymore.”
Every word of Master’s Fa deeply touched my heart. If I hadn’t come to South Korea, I would have continued to ignore my obligations, and headed to hell. Yet Master refused to abandon me and in this final period he gave me another chance.
Although the time I’ve spent seriously cultivating is short, I have been spreading the goodness of Dafa and clarifying the truth for the past thirty years. Master compassionately rescued me and purified my body. However, my family did not cultivate well, bringing shame to Dafa. People who are aware of our situation have voiced their skepticism of Dafa and refuse to believe our words. Without Dafa, I would have long since fallen into depression or even taken my life. Our family would have fallen apart, while I struggled with illnesses, hard labor, and unimaginable mental pressure.
Each morning, my coworkers drag their tired bodies to work while gazing at me with suspicion. “This person gave up her stable job to work in this harsh place. She gives her hard-earned salary to others. How can she continue to smile so happily each day?” How could they understand that those who receive Master’s boundless grace and the protection of Dafa are the happiest people in this world!
My mother recently joined me in South Korea, and we practice diligently together. It is hard to find employment in China today, yet my son managed to find a satisfactory job in a big city. His company frequently sends him to South Korea for work, so I see him often. This amazing outcome is due to Master’s compassion and the blessings of Dafa.
I will work harder to follow Master home. I have endured many trials and tribulations to come this far, but the best thing I did was to resume the mantle of a “Fa-rectification period Falun Dafa practitioner.” To those practitioners who once cultivated but then stopped, I hope you return to your cultivation path! You will receive blessings that no money can buy.
For someone like me who works ten hours a day, I find the articles shared on Minghui Radio to be the most helpful cultivation aid. I sincerely thank fellow practitioners for their help. If you see any shortcomings in what I’ve written, please point them out.
Thank you, Master. Thank you, fellow practitioners.
(Selected submission for the 2025 South Korea Fa Conference)