Clearwisdom.net, Tuesday, February 12, 2008

(Clearwisdom.net) A total of fifteen performances of Chinese New Year Splendor were given at Radio City Music Hall during the Chiense New Year holiday season, much to the delight of a vast array of attendees.

Good things are sometimes accompanied by setbacks. On February 6, a reporter from the New York Times (NYT), ignoring the overwhelming proportion of warm and positive responses from audience members, published an article full of seemingly biased opinions and comments that could mislead readers. The Chinese Communist regime's mouthpieces, China Press and China News Net, reacted as if they had hit the jackpot and went on to exaggerate and distort the facts with ever-growing intensity.

In Western society, balanced reporting is a central tenant of journalistic professionalism. The article in question however, published in the NYT about the Chinese New Year Splendor, seems to have forgone this long-enshrined value in favor of a lopsided sensationalism. The show had an audience of 5000-6000, and most theatergoers enjoyed it immensely, yet the reporter chose to ignore this fact and focus mostly on describing a few people who left the theater early, including only one positive comment.

One of many facts the reporter ignored was the diverse array of attendees who shared in their enthusiasm for the show. One example is that of Foregin Press Association President Alan Capper called that particular Chinese New Year Splendor performance "superb." "The entire production is superb. It has grace. It has spectacle. It has unique qualities that you cannot see in any other production and, perhaps, five thousand years of culture, you may expect nothing less than this." Mr. Alan Capper is an expert in media and a co-author of The Public Relations Case Book, which is widely used in universities around the world.

Mr. Roger Bello, an usher at Radio City Music Hall said, "In the three years that I've worked here, I've seen a lot of shows--Broadway shows and concerts--but this show is really special. There is nothing that I've seen here that I can compare it with. It's just truly wonderful."

Mr. Timothy J. Lord, managing director of Bear Stearns Asset Management, a well-known asset management company on Wall Street, told a reporter that the show was very beautiful. He and his wife enjoyed it very much. He said, "The projections, the music, the costumes have no match."

Again at the same showing, world class violinist Eric Shumsky said, "I was mesmerized immediately with the incredibly felt performances from all the artists. The Chinese New Year Splendor is an evening of performance never to forget!"

In San Francisco, the Chinese New Year Spectacular was praised as "top class" by Beyond Chron, a newspaper which often comments on performances shown in San Francisco.

Critic Richard Connema from Talkin' Broadway has seen over 2,000 Broadway shows. When commenting on the Chinese New Year Splendor he said, "They are the best projections I have seen in a very long time." He thinks the Chinese New Year Splendor is truly spectacular, from the beginning to the end. In his commentary, he wrote, "This state of the art show contains captivating dancers, traditional costumes, and mini-dance drama with narratives about Chinese legends and historical characters and events. The impressive production covers 5000 years of Chinese history and tradition in two hours with one intermission."

In view of all these comments, it is very hard to explain the overall negative tone of the New York Times article.

It would seem that the NYT reporter mistook the presence of words like "suppression" and "persecution" to signify some sort of political agenda. But the cultural values of traditional China esteem integrity, kindness, and beauty -- things that run deep in the human spirit. The pages of Chinese history are full of stories of those who, acting on these values, have stood up to challenge tyranny, cruelty, and injustice. That same spirit shines through in the show, and is true to what is best, and basic, to classical Chinese culture.

This show presents historical facts through performing arts. The unprecedented injustice of an eight-year-long persecution of Falun Gong is depicted, which has caused the suffering of countless victims. Just as Mrs. Sidudia, the wife of a NY businessman, said, "I'm a Christian. If we can use art forms to depict the suffering of Jesus, why can't people use the performing arts to tell about the persecution of Falun Gong?"

In my view, if the show did not include the few performances about how Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate their kind human nature and hope, then the profound significance and connotation of the whole show would have been diluted. A Chinese entrepreneur who saw the show described it, "This is real Chinese traditional culture and history, a celebration of the spirit of humanity. The kindness and compassion portrayed in the show encompass the very foundation of human civilization and reach deeply into people's souls."

As a pillar of mainstream media, the NYT should take it as its unshakable duty to expose the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist regime.

After the publication of the report, the CCP's mouthpieces, China Press in New York and China News in mainland China, immediately published follow-up articles, and through a few carefully made "errors" in translation, the number of people leaving the theater seems to have multiplied several times. However, to their probable dismay, the Chinese New Year Splendor enjoyed a full house almost every show afterwards.

A managing director of a transportation company said, "I know there was a article in the New York Times about the show. I couldn't care less what it says. I 'm very happy I have come. I noticed that people around me all bought tickets in the chain store that day. Nobody was bothered by the New York Times. They all came tonight." He emphasized, "This is America. People have space to think independently and make decisions. This is the American spirit."

Dr. Angus from New Jersey said, "I really enjoyed the show. You can't trust that article. The singing, the dances, the choreography, and the dance dramas were all very good. It's a new experience for me to see the show. The show is much much better than what was reported in the article."

Mrs. Hamida, also from New Jersey, who came to the show with her family, put it more bluntly, "The people like you and me who come and see the show are the ones really qualified as critics. We'll pass on a good word about the show. The Times can take their article and leave it in the sun!"

An interior designer felt the show was much better than she anticipated. She said the article in the NYT was shameful and that they should apologize.

Dr. Ronald A. Sablosky, a banker and an executive vice president of Business Outsourcing Solutions, is also trained in law. He and his wife, Mary Ann Okles, vice publisher of New York Family, came to the show on February 7. After the show he said, "It was not fair at all, but, understand, there's a lot of times they do things that are unfair, so this is not the first. And if one understands that, then one doesn't worry very much [about] what they say."

Sablosky was one who was not deterred by the NYT article. "It certainly did not dissuade us from coming, and I don't think it should dissuade anyone, because it really is highly unfair. And it might even be construed as unethical." It seems the NYT article only brings shame to itself.

The Chinese New Year Splendor has touched the hearts of people from all walks of life and helped them gain a deeper understanding of the depth of Chinese traditional culture. NY Senator Roy Goodman praised the show, "This is a magnificent show! I like the Chinese culture, especially the eastern music and instruments. Very interesting, really beautiful. This is a very pleasant experience."

Mr. John Qin, a Chinese from Shanghai, said, "The performance is very good, the standard is exceptionally high. I couldn't hold back my tears. It was unusually touching."

Lin Meicheng from mainland China, an employee at a high-class hotel said, "This show has let the whole world see our Chinese culture and spirit, and enabled more people to understand us. As a Chinese, I feel very proud."

Lawyer Wang Weishan, a PhD graduate from The City University of New York (CUNY), is from Hebei Province. He said, "This show has presented Chinese national culture to the world. I am very proud of our Chinese culture. This show is totally different from what we saw in China. I don't like that politicized stuff in China. Arts are arts, and should not be politicized. This show is about the pure Chinese culture. It not only allows us Chinese people to experience the profoundness of the Chinese culture, but also promotes our Chinese culture to Western society, and helps them understand more about the Chinese culture. It is very good."

Many more Chinese people shared Dr. Wang's sentiments after seeing the show. Such real feedback from the audience may serve as the best response to the Communist regime's defamatory propaganda, and the NYT review.

(Clearwisdom.net) The last two shows of the Chinese New Year Splendor, presented by the Divine Performing Arts, played to full houses at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Some in the audience pointed out that they decided to come to the show after they read a somewhat critical article in the New York Times.

The 14^th performance of the Chinese New Year Splendor by the Divine Performing Arts opened to a full house on February 9, 2008

The New York Times published a review of the show in the article "A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch" on February 6, 2008. Many feel that the article distorted the facts and insinuated bad things about the Splendor. Yet, the article nevertheless drew crowds to fill every available seat for the Splendor's remaining performances in New York.

1. Gary Ware, a manager at Toshiba Corporation, brought his entire family to the New Year Splendor after reading the derogatory report in the New York Times

2. Eamonn O'Neill, a retired teacher (first on the right), his son, and grandson attended the Splendor

3. Ronald A. Sablosky, JD Executive Vice President and Juris Doctor, and his wife, Mary Ann Osklesson, vice publisher of New York Family. Sablosky said after the show, "The NYT article was totally unfair."

4. Mr. Liu who works at New York Freedom Times, said after seeing the final performance of the New Year Splendor on February 9, "The NYT report is terribly one-sided. I went out and bought my own ticket. I think the show is very, very good; it's a complete display of ancient Chinese civilization--a true rarity that is not seen in Mainland China. I think the NYT article is completely unjustified."

5. Cyndia, an elementary school teacher from New Jersey, said, "These performers are geniuses. The songs and dances are excellent, excellent. The singers are outstanding; they are extraordinary. The show delivers a wonderful message. What the New York Times did was a shame. I'll look up this article at the library when I get home and write to the reporter."

6. Patty Glab, a Chinese-Canadian, and her entire family saw the show the afternoon of February 9. Her husband, Ron Glab, and their daughter loved the dance, "The Risen Lotus Flower Flower."

Toshiba Corporation Training Manager: "I decided to see the show after reading the NYT article"

Gary Ware, manager of the nationwide Training Department at Toshiba Corporation, brought his wife Eileen and their daughter to the afternoon performance on February 9th after he read the NYT article.

Mr. Ware said, "I didn't see anything negative in this show. We come from different countries and many people have never been to China. We don't know what's going on there, and that's why I wanted to come see it."

He said the persecution of Falun Gong should be made known to the world and he didn't think there was anything inappropriate in the show's depictions of it.

Eamonn O'Neil, his son and grandson, attended the afternoon performance on February 9. He came to the show and expressed his opinion on the NYT article afterwards. Mr. O'Neil said about the "The Risen Lotus Flower", "I paid special attention to the dance that depicts a prison scene. From an artistic perspective, this was the best program. It was fabulous and touches the soul. At least it was for me." Regarding the NYT article, Mr. O'Neil said, "A lot of that article was ridiculous, with lots of complaining based on no legitimate reason."

Veteran banker: "It was not fair at all..." "And it might even be construed as unethical"

Ronald A. Sablosky, former Chairman of Keycept, Ltd., and his wife, Mary Ann Okles, vice publisher of New York Family, said after seeing the show on February 7, "The NYT article is totally unfair." Okles said, "I think the article is really unfair. I completely disagree with what was said in it. I think the reporter has strongly biased opinions, and although it appears he was making unbiased comments, actually he was not at all. They were only speaking from their own perspective.

"The article is unfair, completely unfair," said Sablosky, "But it's understandable. They [the NYT] have done the same thing many times before, so this is not the first time. If people know that, they will not care too much about what it says."

Mr. Liu, who works at New York Freedom Times said after watching the final show on February 9, "NYT article is very partial. I came today because I bought my own ticket. I think the show is very, very good. Its Chinese civilization and a complete display of ancient Chinese civilization. It's a true rarity nowadays and is not seen in Mainland China anymore. So I think the NYT article's standpoint is entirely wrong."

Cyndia, an elementary school teacher from New Jersey said, "The performers are geniuses. The songs and dances are really, really interesting. The singers are truly outstanding and extraordinary. The show delivers a wonderful message. What the NYT did was a shame. When I go home, I'll look up the article in a library and write to the reporter."

According to the NYT article, "the end of the number, more members of the audience, in twos and fours and larger groups, began to walk out." "The number" refers to the program "The Risen Lotus Flower," which depicts three imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners. During the February 9thperformance, however, the Minghui reporter noticed that no one left their seat after this program, and the performance ended with long-lasting applause.

Patty Glab, a Chinese Canadian attended the show along with three generations of her family. Her husband Ron Glab is a police officer. He said, "I especially liked the dance "The Risen Lotus Flower." I know Falun Gong practitioners are persecuted by the Communist Party for persisting in their belief. In fact, Falun Gong doesn't look like a religion; it's only meditation and does no harm to anyone. They should have the freedom to believe in what they want to believe and do what they want to do."

Sarah is a filmmaker and an artistic director. She said she particularly enjoyed "The Risen Lotus Flower." Sarah said, "One girl was beaten to death by the police for helping her friends, but she returned to encourage her friends. The choreography was perfect, very beautiful."

Judging from audience feedback, the negative tone of the NYT article did not echo with many Americans. Nevertheless, the Minghui reporter noticed something interesting during the afternoon show on February 9. Four Chinese men dressed in government official attire in front-row seats didn't applaud after each program, and instead they looked around to see the audience's reaction. When they saw that no one moved after "The Risen Lotus Flower," they looked disappointed and left during intermission.

The 11-day run of the Splendor in New York welcomed people from all walks of life, including Wall Street moguls, well-known artists and musicians, political dignitaries and of course, Chinese from all over the world and especially from Mainland China.

The audience heaped praise on the Splendor and called it "world-class" and "first-class." They thanked the Divine Performing Arts for bringing traditional art and values to New York and the world, and for invigorating the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese people were proud of the performance because it celebrates their heritage.

A New York artist predicted, "The Divine Performing Arts is a new artistic brand that has conquered New York and is entering the world."

(Clearwisdom.net) The last performance of the Chinese New Year Splendor drew to a close amidst thunderous applause at Radio City Music Hall the evening of February 9, 2008.

Last performance of the 2008 Chinese New Year Splendor at Radio City Music Hall

The audience's spirit was not dampened by a deliberately misleading article in the New York Times published on February 6, 2008. A long line of people waited outside the box office to pick up their reserved tickets. The theater was packed, and the audience broke into cheers and warm applause at the end of each program.

Minghui reporter Su Qing interviewed a few audience members during intermission and after the show.

Martial arts instructor Andrew Stigliano and his friend, Michelle Kelly, couldn't wait to share their delight in the show. They said, "I loved it!" "The programs were terrific!"

When asked what impressed them the most, Stigliano said, "The whole culture; dance, music, everything was perfect!" Kelly said, "The color, music, dance--all of them were great!"

Mr. Stigliano and Ms. Kelly learned about the show through a TV commercial. When asked whether the show had met their expectations, they answered emphatically, "Far better, so much better, absolutely!!"

They did not know much about Chinese culture and wanted to learn more, and said the show was very helpful in this regard.

When asked if they had read the New York Times article, they replied, "Shame on them! Shame on them!" Andrew added, "The show was excellent!"

A 27-year veteran of the television industry, George Cauttero is an accomplished producer, director, writer, and lecturer. He was a long time member of the Media Communications Association (MCA) and four-term director of the New York MCA. When asked what he thought about the show, he said, "It's very interesting to watch, very colorful, very beautiful. It's very entertaining. I like it. I didn't know anything about Chinese culture; this is a good introduction." He didn't recall seeing the Times article but he said the show is "very much worth watching."

Kathy Brand is a retired businesswoman. She told the reporter, "We've been trying to see the show for a while, and we bought the best seats for tonight. I adopted two Asian daughters and I've been trying to get them to come, but they have other things to do. This is so beautiful; it's really magnificent. I hope they continue to do this every year because we'd come back every year."

"I saw it on television. The costumes, the music, the singing, they are all beautiful, I will tell my friends, 'The show is magnificent! Go see it!'"

When asked if she had seen the New York Times article, she said no, but when she was told what the article was about, she immediately said, "I think they are wrong, it's a beautiful show!"

Long Island University librarian: "They don't know what they are talking about"

"What impressed me the most was the way they did the backgrounds. The costumes are beautiful and magnificent, the singing is beautiful."

Long Island University librarian Hugh Mahoney and his family poured out praise for the show after it ended.

When the reporter asked whether they could understand the Chinese lyrics, they said, "We could see [the English translation] on the backdrop, you could get the emotion."

The Mahoneys first learned about the Splendor on the campus bulletin at Long Island University. Later they saw an introduction and decided to see it.

They said the Splendor was excellent and they had not read the New York Times article. Mr. Mahoney said, "That's the New York Times--they don't know what they are talking about."

(Clearwisdom.net) On February 9, the Divine Performing Arts presented its last two shows of a 15-show run at a packed Radio City Music Hall. The exquisite performance received thunderous applause and acclamation from the spectators.

Falag Mohammed is a diplomat from Libya. This was the first time he had ever seen a presentation of Chinese culture. He said that he knew little about Chinese culture but thought the numbers were fantastic and he enjoyed the show.

Vaughan Toney is the president of a non-profit organization based in New York. He said, "I appreciate the show and am also very thankful [to have been able to see it]."

Mr. Toney was very interested in the dancing, noting it was different from ballet. He thought the show was very rich in color and the movements were very beautiful. "I also like the stories conveyed by the lyrics of the songs and the backdrop."

St. Vincent and The Grenadines consul Eleen Ackie was very impressed by the resounding voice of Tenor Hong Ming. "His song was very good and I was really touched," she said. "Although there are differences in our cultures, such as the presentation might be different, we have many things in common. I have really enjoyed the show so far and can't wait to see the last half."

Mr. Toney added that the positive values that were displayed in the show were very important. "The show portrayed some universal values, sending very positive messages. For example, one number told us that one should try to be a better man and everyone can achieve that. I like this."'

Anthony Sciotto has been working with the local newspaper News Day for 40 years. In his opinion, the show was fantastic, very touching, and inspiring.

Mr. Sciotto noted that there were several legends such as "The Lady of the Moon," which portrayed the courage to safeguard world peace, and they touched him deeply.

"The show is absolutely beautiful. The performances and the backdrops matched perfectly. It was so fascinating."

Science teacher Joanne Werner said that she came without a clear expectation because she had just learned about the show from a TV ad. "It is just gorgeous. Everything was beautiful," she exclaimed.

Elfrieze is a financial specialist She said, "The choreography was very unique, precise, and beautiful. The dancing was gorgeous, the colors were dazzling, and the backdrop was great."

Referring to the legends presented in the show, Elsrieze said that such beautiful Chinese history is worth learning about.

(Clearwisdom.net) In the evening on February 2, 2008, the curtain fell on the fifth show of the Chinese New Year Splendor to enthusiastic applause. The Divine Performing Arts's performance again won the audience's praise and admiration.

Ms. Zhang, who lives in Flushing, New York, goes to the show twice each year. She used to be a teacher and is interested in dance. "It's rare to see Chinese dance on such a large scale, so I seize the opportunity to go to the Divine Performing Arts shows once during Christmas and once during the Chinese New Year."

Mr. Lu came from Guangzhou, China. He's been in NY for several years and learned about the show from a newspaper. This is his first time at Radio City Music Hall. He said, "The show is great--very professional. The singing and dancing are very good. I like "The Loyalty of Yue Fei," because every Chinese should have a heart of loyalty and be obedient to his or her parents."

An older Chinese gentleman, who came to the US from Xiamen City, Fujian Province, 20 years ago said he thought the show was very worthwhile, "It's a rare opportunity to see such a good show. The set up is very interesting. The performance is magnificent."

Ms. Yu invited her parents and two sons to the show. Her mother said the artists did an excellent job and the programs were great. Her teenage boy said he would recommend the show to others because he thought the show was terrific.

Ms. Rong, who lives in the Bronx, came because of her son's recommendation. She was very impressed. "The scale is grand and magnificent. It's rare to have a large scale Chinese performance in NYC with such good quality! Job well done!"

Ms. Tang owns two design companies in NY. She invited her mother and family to the show. "The performance is perfect," said Ms. Tang. "My favorite was the erhu musical instrument. The sound is absolutely beautiful."

Victor Bobodida came from New Jersey with his wife because their daughter bought them the tickets. Victor said cheerfully, "I am glad I came. We really liked the show. My favorite was the drums and seeing people helping the mother and daughter who were persecuted - that was a touching dance performance."

June Ecchiurro and her husband loved the show, "The performance is magnificent and beautiful. The dancing was so graceful and the information the show tried to pass on to the audience is benevolent. It was like heaven."

Wendell Yee and his family came to the show. Wendell said he learned a lot from this beautiful show, especially knowing that we are guests from heaven. He said that the sound of the drums was inspiring and the dance about the water was very pretty.

Joel Frank, a consultant, and his girlfriend attended the show. Joel said the show was perfect. "The costumes are beautiful and the message it tries to pass on is wonderful. Besides the costumes and music, the words "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" shown on the curtain are very, very special."

There was a group of teachers and students who came from Minisink Valley. They greatly enjoyed the performance. A student said she liked the "Water Sleeves" and the "Nymphs of the Sea."

Lynn came to the show with her daughter-in-law, Cathy. Lynn said, "The programs are terrific. I have never seen such a good show. The vocal solos, music, stage design, costumes, I liked all of it. Some musical instruments really stand out in the show." Cathy said she's never seen such a unique show.

(Clearwisdom.net) Chinese New Year's eve is a time when families traditionally eat dinner together. On February 6, 2008, two NTDTV Chinese New Year Splendor shows were held at Radio City Music Hall. Eastern and Western audience members joyously celebrated the Chinese New Year together.

Ms. Winnie Chen, from Hong Kong, is an amateur singer. She is an organizer for the Cantonese Opera that plays in the Chinatown senior centers in New York. After watching the show today, she was surprised at how good it was. She felt that the meaning and suffering expressed through the dance dramas were soul-shaking. She said it was a real source of pride that Chinese can perform traditional culture at a top Western venue.

Ms. Chen said she learned about the show through TV advertising, but the actual performance was far better than she had imagined. Because she loves music, dance, and singing, about ten years ago she used to go see Chinese performances that came from China or Taiwan. After about a dozen shows, she found them boring and quit going. Seeing today's show after ten years away from the theater, she found the Splendor artistically elegant. She said that the performers all had strong technical training, acted very wholeheartedly, and it seemed they had been trained from very young ages. She said the scenery was very beautiful, and she loved Tenor Hong Ming's voice. From her Cantonese Opera perspective she felt she could learn a great deal.

She added that the show was very much worth seeing, and she will definitely invite her friends to see it.

Mr. Yang Minghui came from Fujian Province and is now working at a restaurant in Washington, DC. He took his family to see the Chinese New Year Splendor in celebration of the Chinese New Year. His friend recommended the show to him, and Mr. Yang recommended it to many of his friends and family. His wife said he highly recommended this show. When asked which act was his favorite, Mr. Yang said he liked all of it, that it was all "just indescribable."

(Clearwisdom.net) Mr. Li Changjun is from Jilin Province, which is located Northeastern China. He watched the eighth Chinese New Year Splendor in New York, with eight other Chinese Democracy Party members. He agreed to be interviewed during intermission. "It shook me deeply, because there was no Party culture, I could feel the piercing influence of the long history of our traditional culture, and I was very much inspired. As a Chinese person, seeing Chinese culture being promoted in other countries gives me great respect for the Divine Performing Arts."

Seeing Traditional Culture about Benevolence, Integrity, Propriety, Learning, Trustworthiness and Loyalty Is Wonderful

Mr. Li Changjun said, "When the first program 'Creation' began, I was shocked! It was so real, the scenery and the performers made me feel like I was entering the divine land. The music truly helped me feel like I was in that realm. It was so wonderful! Marvelous!"

He added, "We are all in our 40s, and we have been contaminated by the Party culture for more than 40 years. We do not know what is genuinely our traditional culture. The traditional culture has been extremely damaged in China by the Communist Party. We cannot see such a performance in China. These acts manifested the Chinese values of benevolence, yi (integrity), propriety, learning, trustworthiness, and loyalty vs. filial piety through Yue Fei's story (1).

After the show, a journalist met with Mr. Li again and asked which part was his favorite. He answered, "Every program was superb. The last piece, "Drummers of the Tang Court," was so earthshaking it was as if the audience had been taken back to the ancient battle field. The grand and mighty great Tang dynasty's spirit shook peoples' souls. So moving!"

Another Democracy Party member, Ms. Sun Weixia, said she liked every performance, especially the scenery. She was very impressed with the performance about Falun Dafa and "The Risen Lotus Flower." They both told the journalist that they will recommend this show to their friends and families. Mr. Li Changjun hopes that the Chinese New Year Splendor will someday be released on DVD, so that he can purchase a copy and enjoy the show at home.

After seeing this show, they said that, in looking back and thinking about it, the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "Spring Festival Show" is full of Party culture content, not traditional Chinese culture, and very chaotic in comparison.

Ms. Sun Weixia also agreed that one cannot see a show like this one in China now.

Mr. Li Changjun said from the bottom of his heart that, for there to be a Renaissance in traditional culture and morally upright civilization, overseas and mainland Chinese must awaken together. He was proud to see so many Western faces in the audience, and said that, even though they were educated in a Western culture, some Westerners are very interested in and respect Chinese culture, and this makes him feel that the ancient Chinese have arisen.

Note:
(1) Yue Fei (March 24, 1103 - January 27, 1142) was a Chinese patriot and nationalist military leader who fought for the Southern Song Dynasty against the Jurchen armies of the Jin Dynasty. After his political execution, Yue Fei evolved into the standard model of loyalty in Chinese culture.

(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of February 4, the Divine Performing Arts presented the seventh show of the Chinese New Year Splendor in the Radio City Music Hall. Ms. Qiu Qinzheng took the time to share her impressions of the performance.

Ms. Qiu Qinzheng after the seventh Splendor show in New York (Photo by Dai Bing, Epoch Times)

Ms. Qiu works for the New York Life Insurance Company. She is a member of MDRT and holds a Financial Services Professional License and MBA degree. She was a dancer herself and used to perform traditional Chinese dances and modern dances. She talked to the reporter after the show.

Ms. Qiu said, "The show is very good. The dances are exceptional, the backdrops are beautiful, the colors are pretty. I especially like the Tang Dynasty Drums. The dances and music are very lovely. The whole show is put together very nicely. I have never seen such beautiful backdrops. The philosophical and religious elements were naturally blended with Chinese culture and folk legends and presented in dance and music. It was perfect."

She continued, "It's a very high level show. I think it's better than Broadway shows in every respect. I just saw the Phantom of the Opera (Broadway's famous drama with the longest running performance and highest box office receipts in the past 20 years). I think tonight's show was very level in quality and scale. It's four or five times grander than Phantom.

"China has 5,000 years of culture and many good stories. What the producers have done is so imaginative. It's really hard to imagine how they could produce such an outstanding work. I can feel that they are very dedicated. The result shows that."

Ms. Qiu went on, "I have learned Chinese dance and modern dance. I could tell that the Chinese dance movements and techniques in this show accurately presented Chinese history and culture. Such as their jumps, hand gestures, and steps that are unique in Chinese dance. Together with the backdrops, the show is easy for the audience to understand and appreciate. The backdrop design is especially good.

"The choreographers who produced the dances have a very broad vision. The whole production is full of artistic expression, with both classic beauty and modern spirit. The colors reflect Chinese ancient traditions and give people a very pleasant feeling."

Ms. Qiu said, "I cried on several occasions during the show. It was so touching. From the lyrics of the songs, I can feel the hope of recovering our Chinese tradition of truthfulness, compassion and beauty. I can also feel the pain suffered by Chinese people. I very deeply feel that.

"I believe the show will find many fans in this country. Americans will take a fresh look at Chinese people and realize that the current image of the Chinese presented by some media was created by a small group of people, not the real Chinese people that we wish the world to know. This show is a real representation of Chinese people and culture. "

Ms. Qiu concluded, "I have to thank the Divine Performing Arts Company. They have done such a great job. Watching the show during the Chinese New Year is especially meaningful. While family and friends get together to celebrate the holidays, we can cleanse our souls and enjoy this beauty. Looking at the beautiful scenes and every performers' sweet smiles made me very happy. It's a wonderful feeling."

(Clearwisdom.net) The Chinese New Year fell on February 7 this year. Many Chinese-American families in New York gathered at Radio City Music Hall to see the Chinese New Year Splendor on this Chinese New Year's Day. Some said that seeing the show on the first day of the new year made everything took on a new look, one filled with hope, when they heard the resounding drums.

Ms. Li, who moved to the US from Guangdong, China, more than ten years ago, said the show was great and the powerful drum music was full of vitality. She felt this new year was very special.

Mr. Qin, a retired engineer in Long Island, and his wife said they hadn't had such a new year for a long time. "It was great!" Ms. Qing's favorite was "Redemptive Suffering." She was deeply touched by the Erhu music. She thought the programs about traditional Chinese values like loyalty and filial piety were very significant.

Mr. Xu, a car mechanic, took his wife and friends to see the show, and he praised the show repeatedly. Beaming with joy, he talked about and imitated the drum playing. Ms. Xu said the drum sounds made her feel the atmosphere of Chinese New Year.

Ms. Luo said she has seen the New Year shows by the Divine Performing Arts for three years in a row. In her opinion they had gotten better and better each year.

Mr. Hong, who has a clothing factory, took his wife and daughter-in-law to the show. He said they were proud of the Chinese culture. On stage in a world-class theater, he said that the show displayed the profoundness of their culture not only to the Chinese but also to Westerners.

(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of February 6, 2008, Auditor Margaret Fisher told a journalist during intermission, "I'm going to home to tell my sister to catch the show before the ninth. It is on the ninth [of February], right?"

Ms. Fisher said, "They are so talented, so skillful; they must have practiced for many, many years. The scenery and the backdrop are so unique and different. It was exquisite; I'm so happy that I came."

She came with Ms. Joanne Febrero, a banker employed by Chase Bank. Ms. Febrero said, "We love this show. It was so beautiful: the costumes, dances, and everything were beautiful and so wonderful."

Ms. Fisher told the journalist that they plan to go to China in March on vacation. They will see Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an. They thought the show helped them to better understand Chinese culture.

She added, "The show was absolutely great and very enjoyable. There are so many good programs. The shows we went to before were all very short, but this one was long and very well worth it."

Both of them chose "Nymphs of the Sea" as their favorite piece. They thought the dancers imitating waves with their fans were quite realistic and beautiful. They also liked the excitement generated by the Tang drummers. "Every program was so good; I don't have the words to describe them. I am so glad that I came," concluded Ms. Fisher

(Clearwisdom.net) Michelle Martek is a freelance writer. On February 5, 2008, Michelle and her friend came to see the eighth show of the Chinese New Year Splendor iat Radio City Music Hall in NY. She said to the reporter at the end of the show, "It was very beautiful, I liked it very much. The costumes were gorgeous and the performers were all very talented. I have learned so much about Chinese culture from the show." "I find there is a big difference between the Chinese arts and Western arts. The Western arts tend to irony, intense music, emotion, and movement, while the Chinese arts pay more attention to subtlety."

Michelle's friend, Avrelie Teysseyre, works in foreign trade. She has been to China numerous times and has seen Chinese performances before. She thought the difference between this show and the ones she has seen in China is that these dances were more traditional, and yet the performance as a whole incorporated modern technology.

Michelle commented that she was interested in the use of myths and legends in the performances.

(Clearwisdom.net) The authorities of Xinhua Forced Labor Camp of Sichuan Province are still persecuting Falun Gong practitioners, using torture to attempt to "reform" them. When inmates are "restricted," they must wear a helmet and be handcuffed and shackled.

On July 24, 2007, because practitioner Mr. Qu Zhenxing refused to wear the "laborer ID" that is required for every inmate, guards Luo Dong, Zhang Xiaogang, Zhang Weiting, and Yang brutally beat him for an entire afternoon. His screams were heard in all the cells. Mr. Qu was then "restricted" for 26 days. These guards electrically shocked practitioners with 200 kilowatt and even 500 kilowatt batons.

On November 1, 2007, Mr. Qu Zhenxing, Mr. Wang Renwei, Mr. Zhou Guoping, Mr. Liang Donglin, and other practitioners refused to write so-called "revealing and criticizing statements" and shouted "Falun Dafa is good" in the classroom. Labor camp authorities then extended Mr. Liang Donglin's term for one month and "restricted" him for one week. Mr. Wang Renwei's term was extended for one month, and he was "restricted" for two weeks, and Mr. Zhou Guoping's term was extended for 20 days, and he was "restricted" for one month.

On December 6, 2006, officers from the Domestic Security Team of the Huili County Police Department illegally arrested Mr. Li Tianhua, a practitioner from Huili County, and his brother and put them in Xinhua Forced Labor Camp. The guards forced them to write the three statements and made them stand and squat for a long time with no sleep. In addition, the pair had to do forced labor for 12 hours every day. The guards and criminal inmates also beat them, causing Mr. Li Tianhua to spit-up blood for three months. The torture caused his body to swell, made him dizzy, and caused redness and continual pain in his eyes. He was released in December 2007.

(Clearwisdom.net) The authorities at Heizuizi Women's Forced Labor Camp in Changchun send steadfast practitioners to "restricted rooms" in attempts to force them to write the so-called guarantee statement. The "restricted rooms" are in a secret location and not easy to find. Any remote room can become a "restricted room," as long as the room is equipped with a wooden bed, handcuffs, and a special belt.

The wooden bed in these rooms supports only a very thin sleeping pad. The guards handcuff a practitioner's hands to the corners of the headboard, then use two specially-manufactured leather belts from underneath the bed to tie the practitioner's knees so as to restrict all movement. Someone constantly monitors the practitioner and forces the her to eat, drink, and relieve herself on the bed for days at a time. The victims are not allowed to clean their faces, hair, feet, or teeth. Not even during menstruation do officials permit the practitioner to be released for personal hygiene. During the entire time, guards and instructors show up one after another, attempting to coerce the practitioner into writing the guarantee statement [promising to abandon the practice]. If they are unsuccessful, they humiliate the practitioner further and verbally abuse her. Then they send collaborators to try to persuade her not to make trouble for the regime or the guards. If the practitioner still refuses to write the statement, the authorities urge the collaborators to use every means of torture on the practitioner, including tightening the belts, no longer providing drinking water, depriving the practitioner of sleep, removing the comforter, and restricting her from relieving herself, trying to break her spirit and make her submit.

To avoid leaving any evidence, they wrap the practitioner's wrists with soft cloth before handcuffing her wrists so as to not leave any marks. However, the torture is so brutal that the practitioner is often handicapped before long. In addition, lying down without a pillow for days makes one feel dizzy and hurt everywhere, and even causes absent-mindedness. Some practitioners cannot stand this torture for more than three days before they agree--against their will--to write the so-called "guarantee statement."

Heizuizi Women's Labor Camp head office: 86-431-85384312 ext 8001
Yue, Management Section chief (This person approves all orders to torture practitioners): 86-431-85384311 ask for the Management Section
Tian, labor camp head: 86-431-85384312 ext 8005

(Clearwisdom.net) On January 24-26, 2008, six Falun Gong practitioners from the Acheng District of Harbin City were illegally arrested. This was another series of arrests after five practitioners were arrested on December 26, 2007.

On the evening of January 24, 2008, three practitioners from Yuquan Township in the Acheng District were arrested at their homes. Computers and relevant materials were confiscated by the police at that time.

On the morning of January 25, 2008, a practitioner surnamed Guo was arrested at home. The police also took a computer and 4,000 yuan in cash from the home.

On the morning of January 26, 2008, a practitioner surnamed Xie from the Longdi residential area in the Acheng District was arrested at home.

Wang Yunfe, secretary of the Political and Judiciary Committee: 86-451-53761222, 86-451-53769977
Zhang Yabin, director of the police department: 86-13946057777 (Cell), 86-451-53782877 (Office), 86-451-89807777 (Home), 86-15945125001 (Cell), 86-451-55687088 (Home)
Chen Yuhao, captain of the Domestic Security Division of the police department, 86-13945633038 (Cell), 86-451-53720205

No. 1 Detention Center, director: 86-451-53714265
No. 2 Detention Center, director: 86-451-53714847

(Clearwisdom.net) The Chuanwei Factory of the China Petroleum and Chemistry Corporation, located along the Long River in the Changshou District, Chongqing City, Sichuan Province, is a large scale facility with tens of thousands of employees. In October 1996, Falun Gong was introduced in Chongqing City and over 200 people started practicing. Some seriously ill people regained their health and returned to work. Some young people had their moral standards raised and would make every effort at work after practicing Falun Gong. Every practitioner obtained some level of improvement in their health and morality. At the same time, they gained praise and acknowledgment from their colleagues, supervisors, and the general public.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started persecuting Falun Gong on a large scale. They confiscated Falun Gong books, photos, videos, and other materials. Doing the Falun Gong exercises was forbidden. Several practitioners who went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong were arrested and sent back by the local authorities. Then they were locked up and tortured in the Changshou Detention Center.

Since the beginning of the persecution, Changwei Police Department chief Wang Daocheng and Chuanwei Factory manager Liu Jiarong closely followed the CCP's policies and established a 610 Office within the Chuanwei Factory. They arranged countless brainwashing sessions and forced practitioners to attend. Banners and slogans defaming Falun Gong were posted everywhere in the factory. The factory authorities held a "Ten Thousand Signature" event, forcing everyone to sign their names against Falun Gong. They held a photo gallery show to slander Falun Gong, showed videos against Falun Gong, and forced people to read the books made by Jiang's regime to slander Falun Gong. They coerced each practitioner's family to write a guarantee statement that they would cooperate with the authorities to force their family members to give up practicing Falun Gong. They also linked the persecution of practitioners to the salaries and bonuses of the factory management personnel and ordered the neighborhood committee and retiree association office to cooperate in forcing practitioners to give up their practice. The authorities did not allow practitioners to do the Falun Gong exercises, they put surveillance on practitioners permanently, and forbade any contact among practitioners, including speaking with each other. For those practitioners who were sentenced to forced labor or imprisonment, the factory would fire them without paying a severance or any compensation.

The factory authorities held countless meetings to arrange for personnel to monitor and report on practitioners' activities, cooperate with the local police to follow and videotape practitioners, tap into practitioners phone conversations, steal practitioners' phone books, etc. The factory authorities posted practitioners' photos on the board inside the bus terminal ticket office. On a national level, the CCP posted notices advertising a one thousand yuan reward to anyone who would report on a Falun Gong practitioner's "truth-clarification" activity and a two thousand yuan reward to anyone who caught a practitioner doing truth clarification. Wang Daocheng often led a group of policemen to break into practitioners' homes in the middle of the night.

In these years of persecution, female practitioners who were sentenced to forced labor or imprisonment included: Zheng Youmei, Yang Daqun, Zhao Hongxiu, Wang Jinshu, Tang Guoqin, Zhang Siyu, Wang Gaizhi, and Huang Zhonglin. Male practitioners that were sentenced included: Zhao Zhirong, Cheng Yiquan, and Bai Jun. Those illegally detained included: Mr. Zhao Liang, Mr. Qin Wenbin, Mr. Zheng Yueliang, Mr. Chen Zhiyuan, and Ms. Zhao Xuemei. Ms. Wang Gaizhi's husband was also arrested and detained in the local detention center for over a month. Mr. Lei Dengcai was forced to give up his practice of Falun Gong and died afterwards. Ms. Liu Shumei was put under house arrest by the local police and her husband was ordered to watch her activities. Ms. Liu Shumei passed away. Mr. Qin Wenbin was forced to flee his home to avoid persecution.

Chuanwei Factory, China Petroleum and Chemistry Corporation:
Liu Jiarong, Head
Shi Weijia, director of the security division: 86-23-68974135

Fu Jie, 610 Office within the security division
Li Wei, 610 Office: 86-23-68974703, 86-23-68973198

Zhujiaba Police Station of the Changshou District:
Liu Qisheng, police chief: 86-23-6897438586-13708393349 (Cell)
Yuan Xiang, political instructor
Zhao Pinghua, special case group leader (many practitioners' cases were supervised by him)
Lin Kang, policeman of the special case group, police number 701313

Changshou City Police Department
Wang Daocheng, police chief

(Clearwisdom.net) I was imprisoned a second time at the Wangcun Forced Labor Camp from October 2004 to December 18, 2006. My sentence was extended for two months. The following are my personal experiences, followed by what I witnessed during this period of time.

I am from Kangzhuang Township of Gaomi City in Shandong Province. Policemen Hu, Gao Zhengqiang, Yu Jihai and others stopped me on the street and arrested me without any warrant in October 2004. They took me to Gaomi Detention Center, where I refused to answer any questions. They then grabbed me by the feet and dragged me to a detention cell.

There was also another Falun Gong practitioner from Kangzhuang Township at the detention center. Her name was Zhang Ling. She was about 36 years old, and had been sentenced to a four-year term. Everyone called a man with the surname of Tan "the director" there, but he was in fact not the director. His eyes turned red when he beat people. He used all sorts of torture methods on Zhang Ling. No one can sleep at the detention center when Tan is on duty. The more Zhang Ling screamed, the more vicious he became. He used the iron chair, handcuffs and foot shackles. He cuffed Ms. Zhang's hands and feet to an iron cage for long periods of time, and sometimes he beat her with brooms. There was another guard who poured water on Ms. Zhang's body.

I was unjustly detained at Gaomi Detention Center for 28 days. Four police officers, one of whom was called Yu Jihai, then took me to Wangcun Forced Labor Camp. I refused to cooperate during the physical exam, and refused to give a urine sample. I took off my handcuffs to throw them in the toilet. Yu Jihai caught me and took the cuffs. He ordered others to get a tube and take a urine sample by force. I firmly opposed them and their attempt failed. At the time, my face was so swollen from bruises that I could not even see. The forced labor camp authorities did not want to accept me. Yu Jihai and the other police officers had to bribe them to take me.

There was a collaborator working with the guards to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. She reported me to the prison guard captain for speaking out against the persecution. They dragged me outside and I did not get any sleep that night. I was subjected to torture outside for an entire month during August 2005.

I was put into Brigade No. 4 at Wangcun Forced Labor Camp. The brigade captain was Ms. Wang Huiying. The assistant captains were Sun Hua and Li. Guards had surnames of Li, Yin, Sun and Wang. Yin is currently the captain there.

This was the situation before I was released on December 18, 2006. The guards tried to make us sing a song called, "There Is No New China Without the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)." Hardly anyone sang and guard Yin was furious. One day a group of practitioners declared their statements renouncing Falun Gong, made under duress, null and void. The next day more practitioners declared their renunciations void. The day after, even the person who collaborated with the guards, declared her renunciation void. The guards had no way to stop it. Even during a meeting of the entire labor camp, the singing was as pathetic as a mosquito buzzing.

One morning, captain Wang Huiying said, "There was a small black bird on the bus [used by the guards]. The driver almost drove the bus into the water." I heard that captain Wang Huiying has had surgery. The assistant captain Sun Hai has often been hospitalized. Guard Li has been placed on the evildoer's list, and she had to have leg surgery. Li's attitude had improved a lot as a result of practitioners exposing the persecution and clarifying the truth by the time I left.

Ms. Yan Jinqiu was taken for force-feeding many times while I was at the labor camp. Yan Jinqiu often shouted "Falun Dafa is good" as they took her away for force-feeding. When it was done, the guards dragged her back, with her head hanging and a tube dangling. Another practitioner, Ms. Yang Wenjie, was put in solitary confinement because she refused to be "transformed." I don't know how she is doing now. I saw more than a dozen practitioners get out of the labor camp using righteous thoughts and righteous actions. For example, practitioner Ms. Liu Huifang from Changyi had no fear. She called out "Falun Dafa is good!" The guards twisted her arms and took her outside. They taped her mouth and tortured her by pulling her arms backwards. The guards finally stopped, because she would not stop shouting the phrase. She wrote to the director of the labor camp at night to tell him how she was being persecuted. She wrote over a dozen letters and received no reply. Later, she demanded to know why she had received no response. She told the guards they were breaking the law, when they were supposed to enforce the law. The guards were speechless. After a few months, Liu Huifang was released. Practitioner Li Ping firmly resisted the persecution and was also released early.

Around October 2005, the labor camp arranged physical examinations for all Falun Gong practitioners. They took blood samples from every practitioner and stored them in a refrigerator. During my incarceration, I was forced to work excessively and subjected to endless mental torture. It was horrifying beyond words and one day felt like a year. I lost over 30 lbs. in two years. The labor camps in China are evil dens for persecuting good people.

(Clearwisdom.net) Today's news includes incidents of persecution that took place in 20 cities or counties in 11 provinces. In this report, 29 practitioners were subjected to brutal treatment during their detention, and 27 practitioners were illegally arrested.

1. [Qidong County, Hunan Province] Follow-up Information On Mr. Zhang Xuanshou and Ms. Shi Jinhua's Arrests

Ms. Shi Jinhua, 64 years old, from Qidong County, is a family member of an employee of the Baidishi Steel Factory in Hengyang City. In late December 2007, she was arrested by the Qidong County Police Department and detained in the Qidong County Detention Center for distributing truth-clarifying VCDs. The police hung her up and beat her for an extensive period of time to force her to tell the source of the VCDs. In mid January 2008, Ms. Shi was released.

Ms. Shi has been arrested and beaten multiple times by the Qidong County police. They once broke her right hand.
Mr. Zhang Xuanshou from Qidong County was locked in the Qidong County Detention Center, where he suffered brutal treatment.

Zou Aiming, head of the Qidong County 610 Office: 86-13574781178, 86-13575280699, 86-734-6299566, 86-734-6265199
Wu Qi, Police Chief of the Qidong County Police Department: 86-13973467666, 86-734-6288601, 86-734-6288666
Liu Guohua, director of the Qidong County Detention Center: 86-13016188029, 86-734-6288578, 86-734-6268323
Lan Jinhua, director of the Qidong County Detention Center: 86-13707479611, 86-734-6288577, 86-734-6251410

2. [Dandong City, Liaoning Province] Liu Guifang Tortured in Masanjia Forced Labor Camp

In 2005, Ms. Liu Guifang from Dandong City was tortured by the Masanjia Forced Labor Camp authorities and suffered cardiovascular blockage and angina pectoris. Currently she is still being tortured in Masanjia Labor Camp. She is extremely weak and her illness has become very severe.

On the evening of January 24, 2008, Ms. Wu Yanchun, Mr. Ren Zhongde, and Ms. Sun (a teacher) from Acheng District of Harbin City were arrested. On the afternoon of January 25, 2008, Mr. Guo Gang was arrested.

On January 24, 2008, Mr. Xing Fusheng, in his 70s, from Shihe Town, the Jinzhou District of Dalian City, was reported to the authorities while clarifying the truth of Falun Gong. He was arrested by policemen Xu Guangyue from the Shihe Police Station and Lin Guofu from the village security team. His home was ransacked and he was detained and persecuted in Sanli Detention Center, Jinzhou City.

Policeman Xu Guangyue': 86-13942080777 (Cell)
Shihe Town Police Station: 86-411-87260219

5. [Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province] Ms. Zhao Juan and Others Arrested

On the morning of January 15, 2008, the Shuangyashan Police Department had two officers Shuangshan Police Station arrest Ms. Zhao Juan at work. Afterwards four policemen ransacked her home but they could not find what they were looking for as an excuse to persecute her. On the evening of the same day Ms. Zhao was released.

In mid January 2008, Ms. Zhang Keying, Ms. Tian Qi's father, sister, and niece, who had been arrested, were released. Currently those detained in the local detention center include Ms. Wang Yaojun, Ms. Wang Haiyang, Ms. Dong Mingfen, Ms. Jin Wei, Ms. Liu Xianglian, Ms. Mi Yuzhi, Ms. Shang, and Ms. Guo Shuzhen (Tian Qi's mother).

Li Yanchun, Police Chief of the Shuangyashan City's Shuangshan Police Station: 86-469-4233001, 86-15331811777
Zou Dekuan, personnel of the 610 Office within the Shuangyashan City Police Department: 86-469-4233106

6. [Haicheng City, Liaoning Province] Mr. Tian Baodong Still Detained and Tortured in the Anshan Forced Labor Camp

7. [Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province] Two Falun Dafa Practitioners Arrested

On January 23, 2008, two practitioners were distributing truth clarification materials at the No. 334 bus terminal and the area near the Changlinzi Forced Labor Camp. They were reported to the local authorities and arrested by Xiangyang Police Station officers. The two were later transferred to the Public Security Bureau, Xiangfang Branch.

Ms. Ma Sufen from Maxinzhuang Village, Beixiaoying Township, Shunyi County of Beijing, was released on bail awaiting trial. She did not reply to four subpoenas from the Beixiaoying Police Station. In January 2008, she was arrested and taken to the Nihe Detention Center in the Shunyi County, where she was detained for over 10 days.

On the afternoon of January 21, 2008, Fu Weidong, captain of the National Security Team of the Qianguo County Police Department of Songyuan City, and Xing Dawei, the police chief of the Jilatu Police Station, led a group of officers to arrest Mr. Yu Zhanguo. Currently Mr. Yu is detained in the local county detention center.

Mr. Wan Deming from Hongqi Farm of Songyuan City was arrested and taken to Baicheng City, Jilin Province.

An 86-year-old practitioner who lives in the Handan City Labor Union's senior housing was reported for clarifying the truth of Falun Gong. He was denied continued residence at the senior housing.

Handan City's Labor Union's senior housing: 86-310-6068678
Zhang Hongyan, main perpetrator: 86-310-6068678

11. [Wu'an City, Hebei Province] Ms. Miao Haizhou and Ms. Wang Xiuhong, Mother and Daughter, Illegally Detained

On the evening of January 15, 2008, Ms. Miao Haizhou, Ms. Wang Xiuhong and her daughter from Dawang Village, Qinghua Township, Wu'an City, were reported to the local authorities for distributing truth clarification materials in the An'erzhuang Village. They were arrested by the Qinghua Police Station and have been detained at the Wu'an City Detention Center.

On January 25, 2008, Mr. Gao Shimin from Nailin of Chifeng City went to the Jinshan Finance Bureau to claim his salary. He was arrested by bureau personnel along with the local police. His whereabouts is unknown.

Mr. Huang Yade was sentenced to three and half years of forced labor. On January 18, 2008, he was sent to the Chifeng No. 4 Prison in Inner Mongolia.

14. [Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province] Ms. Wang Baozhen Arrested on January 18, 2008, Current Whereabouts Unknown

On January 25, 2008, the Daqing City's Sa'ertu District Court secretly tried Ms. Li Hui, who is an employee of the Daqing Commodity Corporation. She had been detained for four months.

On December 3, 2007, Ms. Qu Rongshu, Ms. Zhou Xiaohua, Ms. Xue Deyu, Ms. He Peijing, and another female practitioner from out of town were arrested. Ms. Zhou, Ms. Xu, and Ms. He have been released

17. [Yangchun City, Guangdong Province] Ms. Li Lixue and Mr. Lian Riguang Arrested

In September 2006, police officers from Yangchun City arrested Ms. Li Lixue from the classroom where she was teaching and detained her in the Yangchun City Detention Center. She was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and her Falun Gong materials and personal computer were confiscated. Around the Mid-autumn Festival of 2007, Ms. Li was sent to Guangzhou Women's Prison. At nearly the same time the police arrested Mr. Lian Riguang from the school where he was working and detained him in the Guangdong Province Sanshui Forced Labor Camp.

Li Lixue, in her 40s, is a elementary school teacher in Yangchun City. Since July 20, 1999, the Yangchun Police Department, 610 Office, and National Security Bureau together with the Heshui Town government and the local police station frequently went to her home or school to harass her. They attempted to coerce her into giving up her practice of Falun Gong. She had previously been sent twice to the Shilu Copper Mine Factory's brainwashing center.

18. [Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province] Ms. Zhang Yaqin, in her 60s, Arrested in November 2007

Practitioners from the Oubei area of Yongjia County, including Mr. Chen Hu, Ms. Wen Shumei, Ms. Yu Shengbi, Mr. Tao Sheng, and Mr. He Gang, were arrested by the local police and their homes were ransacked. They are detained in the Oubei Police Station.

On December 24, 2007, Mr. Zhang Qingli from Wangjun Village, Atuo Town, Changle County, Weifang City, was arrested at home by personnel from the Changle Police Department and Atuo Police Station. His personal vehicle was confiscated. He is being held in the Changle Detention Center.

Ms. Sun Huifang, in her 50s, is a teacher and lives in Acheng District, Harbin City. On the evening of January 24, 2008, the local police broke into her home and arrested her and five other practitioners.

On January 16, 2008, Mr. Gu Jiarong from Baisha Town of Jiangjin District, Chongqing City ,was reported by the security personnel to the local police while he was clarifying the truth of Falun Gong. The local police arrested him and detained him in the Langshan Detention Center in Jiangjin District, Chongqing City.

Ms. Zou Aixia, 45 years old, lives at No. 4 Pingdu Street, Qingdao City. On January 3, 2008, she was arrested for distributing Falun Gong materials by the police from Guanhai Street Police Station of Qingdao City. She is in the Qingdao City Dashan Detention Center.

On July 5, 2007, Ms. Liu Yuanlan from Changzhou City was arrested for clarifying the truth. Local policemen from the Xuejia Police Station in Xinbei District of Changzhou City were responsible for the arrest. Later she was sent to the Changzhou City Detention Center. Her family has not been allowed to visit her.

25. [Linyi City, Shandong Province] Mr. Wang Jingxiao Detained in the Linshu County Detention Center

Mr. Wang Jingxiao is 69 years old. On the afternoon of January 24, 2008, after sending his granddaughter to school, he wrote "Falun Dafa is good" on the electricity poles on the streets. He was arrested and sent to the Linshu County Detention Center.

Around 5 o'clock on January 25, 2008, policemen in three police vehicles broke into Mr. Sun Cheng's home in the Sheli Township of Acheng City. They confiscated a printer and over 200 yuan in cash.

On May 30, 2005, Ms. Huang Chunji was arrested and then sentenced to two years of forced labor. On January 14, 2008, she was arrested again and sentenced to two and a half years of forced labor. On January 16, 2008, she was admitted to Daxing Forced Labor Camp.

In December 2007, Mr. Li Dejun, Director of Hongqi Court of the Ganjingzi District Court System in Dalian City, was put on trial secretly by the local authorities. He was told that as long as he would write the "transformation" statements he would be released right away and could return to his post. He refused.

(Clearwisdom.net) Today's News from China includes incidents of persecution that took place in 14 cities and counties in 6 provinces. In this report, 7 practitioners were subjected to mistreatment during their detention and at least 17 practitioners were illegally arrested.

Ms. Zhang Shuying, 47, lives in Yangpu District of Shanghai. For practicing Falun Gong she was detained for one and a half years. After she was released, neighborhood committee members and local police have continued to harass her. On October 20, 2007, the police arrested Ms Zhang again, and she was sentenced to one and a half years of imprisonment.

Mr. Zhang Weihua has gone back to his home in Yangliu Village. However, six people from the local joint defense team keep watch over Mr. Zhang's home.

In mid October 2007, Ms. Li Hui from Jiading, Shanghai, was arrested by police from the 610 Office of Huangpu Police Department because she mailed letters about the truth of Falun Gong and her handwriting was identified. Now she is detained in the Shanghai Forced Labor Camp for a two-year term.

Mr. Ma Wenyu, 37, lives in Qidaoquanzi Township, Chaoyang City. On January 20, 2008, he was arrested because he distributed truth-clarifying material.

On January 4, 2008, Ms. Li Jinhua from Dongli District, Tianjin City, was reported and arrested when she distributed truth-clarifying material while visiting her family. Now she is detained in Renqiu.

7. [Weifang City, Shandong Province] Mr. Li Tianmin, Who Was Detained on October 11, 2007, Has Been Detained in the Weifang Detention Center

8. [Zhoukou City, Henan Province] Mr. Du Chenguang Detained in the Xiangcheng Detention Center

At about 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2008, Gao Feng, Chief of the National Security Team of Sha'nan District Police Department in Zhoukou City, and about 20 people surrounded Mr. Du Chenguang's home in Chuanhui District, Zhoukou City. They took away his computer during the night and Mr. Du and his wife were detained by the national security team. On January 18, Mr. Du's wife was released but he was sent to the Xiangcheng Detention Center. Mr. Du is still being detained.

9. [Hegang City, Heilongjiang Province] Information about the Arrest of Practitioners Including Ms. Jiang Zaimei

On the morning of January 27, 2008, Ms. Jiang Zaimei and Ms. Yang from Nanshan District, Hegang City, went to Limingbiyoute Market in Hegang City to distribute truth-clarifying material. They were spotted by a surveillance camera in the market. The market personnel and police from Gongnong District Police Department took Ms. Jiang and Ms. Yang away. That night, the police went to search Ms. Jiang's home and took away two bank books worth a total of 16,000 yuan, 11,300 yuan in cash, a computer, books ,and other materials.

At the same time, the police arrested Ms. Ren Xiuyun who lives in Lulin Mountain, Nanshan District. On January 28, an older couple with the surname of Wang were arrested.

10. [Jinan City, Shandong Province] Mr. Ba Shuqun Was Sentenced in the Tianqiao District Court at 9:30 a.m. on January 29, 2008

11. [Hebei Province] Mr. Zhang Yanqing On a Hunger Strike in Hebei No. 1 Prison

In order to gain the right to study the Fa and practice the exercises, Mr. Zhang Yanqing is still on a hunger strike in the Hebei No. 1 Prison. Personal monitors take turns watching him around the clock. He is not allowed to talk or sleep. He is very weak.

At around 9:00 a.m. on January 18, 2008, Ms. Huai Junying from Tianjia Village, Fujia Town, Zibo City, was arrested by plainclothes police. Her home was searched and her property was taken away.

13. [Langfang City, Hebei Province] Many Practitioners Including Mr. Bai Wenwu Arrested

On around January 23, 2008, police from the Dachang County Police Department in Langfang City, Hebei Province arrested practitioners including Mr. Bai Wenwu, Mr. Guo Dahui, Ms. Liu Xiuxiang, Mr. Yu Jinghua, Mr. Li Wenming and Mr. Song Shufen.

Mr. Zhai Mouchen lives in Mazhuang Village, Nanding Town, Zhangdian District, Zibo City. On the afternoon of January 28, 2008, police from the Zhangdian District National Security Team took Mr. Zhai from the factory where he worked. His whereabouts are currently not known. The police took all the Dafa books from Mr. Zhai's home.

Mr. Zhai was detained in forced labor camps for three years, including the Zibo City Forced Labor Camp and Wangcun Forced Labor Camp, where he was tortured. Three years later, Mr. Zhai was sent to the "Transformation" Center in Wangcun Forced Labor Camp and detained there for one and a half years.

15. [Fuan City, Fujian Province] Additional Information about the Arrests of Ms. Xu Rongfei and Mr. Qiguang

On the afternoon of January 18, 2008, police from the Fuan City Police Department and National Security Team arrested Ms. Xu Rongfei and Mr. Qiguang from Fuan City. Their homes were also searched. Ms. Xu is detained in the Fuan City Detention Center. Mr. Qiguang is detained in the detention center. The police took away copies of Zhuan Falun and the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.

16. [Shenzhou City, Hebei Province] Police from the Donganzhuang Township Police Station Search Practitioners' Homes

On January 19, 2008, police from the Donganzhuang Township Police Station in Shenzhou City searched practitioners' homes in Dasizhuang Village and Qinghuitou Village. About 30 or 40 homes in Qinghuitou Village were searched.

17. [Dongliao County, Jilin Province] Practitioners Including Mr. Ding Wenrong Arrested

On January 22, 2008, police from the political security section of Dongliao County Police Department and the Yunding Township Police Station went to Mr. Ding Wenrong's home and arrested him. Mr. Ding is illegally detained in the local detention center.

On January 24, Ms. Zhao Shufang and about a dozen people from Quantai Township were also arrested and taken to the detention center.

(Clearwisdom.net) A few days ago, Falun Gong practitioners visited Mr. Chen Ting-hsiou, Chief of Wuchi Township, in Taichung County, Taiwan. The practitioners explained the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong and invited Mr. Chen to sign the Global Anti-Persecution Petition. Mr. Chen signed the petition and said that helping China improve its human rights was a good deed.

The Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG), founded in April 2006 by people around the world who pay attention to the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners, started a campaign on January 1, 2008, to secure one million signatures on the Global Anti-Persecution Petition, calling for the CCP to stop the persecution.

Chen said it was unbelievable that any government would launch such a long-term suppression against practitioners who practice "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." He condemned the CCP's practice of removing organs from living Falun Gong practitioners and selling them for profit. The CCP wants profits and superficial achievements and that is why the poisonous foods and hazardous toys are ending up all over the world. Now the CCP even abuses people's lives to profit from illegal organ transplants.

The CIPFG has established America-Canada, New Zealand-Australia, and Asia divisions. The current director of the Asia CIPFG division is Lai Ching-te, a member of the legislative Yuan in Taiwan. Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the CIPFG will collect the signatures and send the petition to various governments, assemblies, the UN, and the International Olympic Committee, to solicit help in stopping the persecution in China.

(Clearwisdom.net) On February 6, Falun Gong practitioners participated in the 13^th annual Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing, the second largest Chinatown in New York. Despite the rainy weather, people packed the sidewalks along the parade route to watch the annual celebration.

The parade has a large variety of traditional presentations such as the dragon dance, lion dance, walking on stilts, etc. The Falun Gong contingent, led by a golden dragon and a silver lion, was very eye-catching. Following the dragon/lion dance, a group of practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. At the end of the procession, a waist drum troupe performed "Falun Dafa Is Good," sending best New Year wishes to the spectators.

Mr. and Mrs. Deng brought their children to experience the parade. The couple said that they came every year and really enjoyed it.

Mr. Huang and his wife came from Nanjing to visit their relative about three months ago. The couple said that the parade was very good and that it would be impossible to see a Falun Gong contingent in a parade in China.

In the past several years, practitioners' dazzling costumes, vivid dragon and lion dances, peaceful exercise demonstration, and the exciting Waist Drum Troupe have become attractive features of the Flushing parade.

(Clearwisdom.net) I went to Beijing to appeal for Dafa after the persecution began. I was arrested and taken back to be jailed in the local detention center, and my home was also ransacked. At that time, my sister-in-law, who lived in a rural area, once came to visit me. When she saw that two Dafa books had survived the police ransacking, she quietly took them home with her. This single act planted the seed of opportunity for her to obtain Dafa later.

Several days ago, this sister-in-law of mine, who had never spent the night at my house, asked if she could stay in my home for one night. That night we chatted a lot. She told me that beginning this spring, she had many times seen scenes in other dimensions. She also heard people talking to her, revealing her previous lives. She was able to see her third eye as well. I told her that it was all good and I offered to give her a Dafa book to read. It was then that she told me that she had been saving my two Dafa books at her home. She said that she read the two books every night before bed. That night we watched a video of Teacher's lecture in Guangzhou. As we watched, she kept telling me she was seeing colorful beams of light. She also said she felt very cold. The heat was on in my home, and it was around 22° Celsius (72° F). However, she was wrapped in a very thick down coat. I sat right next to her and also felt chilly. I said to her, "Probably Teacher is cleansing your body for you."

Yesterday I went to visit her. She happily told me, "My legs no longer hurt." The left side of her body had been numb for several years. Just watching Teacher's lecture had cured her old illness. She also told me that she felt very sick while riding the bus back home after her visit to me. At that time she recited "Zhen-Shan-Ren is good, Falun Dafa is good," and soon she was no longer car sick. When she visited me, I also gave her a set of Teacher's video CDs, which she often watched around midnight. While watching she saw a purple light flashing on the screen. She was also positive that Teacher installed a Falun, as she felt something spinning in her lower abdomen. She was determined to seriously take up Dafa practice.

After I returned home, I said to myself quietly, "It is truly one thought determines one's future. She was courageous enough to protect Dafa books during the harsh environment, thus creating an opportunity for her to obtain Dafa later on. Compared to those who got lost amidst the lies fabricated by the Communist Party, how lucky she is!"

I write about this now, hoping people who have the chance to read this article can come to their senses. Do not walk on the wrong path. Once the opportunity is lost, it will never come again.

(Clearwisdom.net) I began Falun Dafa cultivation in May, 2005. At that time, I could not walk because my bones had been fractured in a car accident. A fellow practitioner encouraged me to learn the practice and clarified the truth to me. I had an anxious desire to learn Falun Gong and wanted to read the related books. Until the government began persecuting Falun Gong in 1999, I had never heard of it or seen it. Only then did I come to know Falun Gong. Every time that I saw someone post "Falun Dafa is good," I felt that Falun Gong must benefit people. Otherwise, why would people persist in practicing Falun Gong under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government's terrible persecution?!

After listening to the fellow practitioner's words, I expected the fellow practitioner to bring the book Zhuan Falun the next day. After several days, the fellow practitioner brought the book. I read the entire book non-stop, from 7:00 a.m. until close to 8:00 p.m. After I finished reading, I felt that the book teaches us to be good people. Many principles in the book, which I did not understand before, help people become generous and open-minded after reading the book.

Why did the CCP not allow people to read such a good book? I soon read the book a second time. After reading, I wanted to learn Falun Gong. When the fellow practitioner visited me, I asked about the practice. Very quickly, the fellow practitioner got a music tape for my practice, and I did the exercises that day on the bed.

The fellow practitioner also brought Master's other lectures to me. I eagerly emerged myself in Master's Law every day. My mood was light and spacious and my fractured leg did not hurt. It was true for me that once I finished this book I wanted to read another. Thus, I almost read all of Master's lectures at one time.

As the saying goes, it takes 100 days for fractures to heal, and I was already over fifty years old. Three steel pins had been inserted to hold the fractured bones together. After only two months of practicing Falun Gong, I had the three steel pins taken out and walked upstairs and downstairs. Dafa is so amazing, and is such a blessing. I got good fortune because of misfortune. If it were not for the traffic accident, I possibly would have learned another practice. So far, I have already practiced Falun Gong for more than two years. I do not take any medicine or have any diseases. The rhinitis, arthritis, lumbago (e.g., convulsions) and other diseases that I had prior to beginning the practice seemed to just disappear. Falun Dafa's goodness has been known to everyday people. It is inconceivable for the CCP to not allow people to practice such a good qigong. However, determining who is righteous and who is evil is obvious!

(Clearwisdom.net) My family members have been Catholics for several generations. My grandfather died a long time ago. My uncle, father's oldest brother, joined the army of the government of the Republic of China(1). After the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) takeover, my uncle left home and went into hiding. Consequently, the CCP regime agents branded my family "anti-revolutionary." The CCP regime shows no mercy toward those who are different from them. My father recalls they often held "criticizing meetings" then, that publicly persecuted landlords. The CCP fostered and magnified humanity's evil side during those meetings. During one of those meetings, some people in the crowd even took a breast-feeding baby from a mother and smashed the baby to death on the ground. Because the priest in our parish remained firm with his belief in Catholicism, the regime agents forced him to do hard labor in a coal mine. The priest eventually died as a result of torture.

Grandmother and father lived in extreme fear. Grandmother died from a heart attack. Father then decided to leave his home and become destitute. The CCP officials did a "history search" on my father during the Great Cultural Revolution(2). Because my family members were practicing Catholics and my uncle used to be a soldier in the Republican Army, they framed Father, branding him "anti-revolutionary." Hence, Father was imprisoned. He almost died in prison. My family has lived under the dark cloud of the CCP's persecution for 50 years. This is the reason for my family to be especially terrified when the CCP decided to persecute Falun Gong, which I practice.

I started practicing Falun Gong in 1997. It has changed my life. That time in my life is the most unforgettable. After the persecution started on July 20, 1999, I went to Beijing twice to appeal for justice for Falun Gong, but was escorted back each time before I ever got there. Facing my boss's persuasive arguments, my elderly father's worries, and my child's innocent eyes, I was momentarily almost moved. But after calmly studying the Fa, I gradually became steady again and held on to my belief. As Master said, "Firmly cultivating Dafa, the heart unmoved" ("Seeing True Nature" from Hong Yin II, Translation Version B)

Hearing that the CCP regime had declared Falun Gong an "evil cult," I decided to go to Beijing to appeal. Expressing my thoughts to a few fellow practitioners, I felt my past worries suddenly disappear. I was quite relieved. After making arrangements at home and at work, I went to Beijing that same day.

However, deep in my mind I had many selfish thoughts, and I was arrested and detained in the Qiliqu Police Dispatch Station in Changping, a suburb of Beijing, where I was brutally beaten. The police promised to release me immediately if I told them my home address. Because I wanted them to stop beating me, I told them my home address. They had lied! Instead of releasing me, they escorted me to a temporary jail they had set up specifically to detain Falun Gong practitioners. There I met other practitioners from all over China who had also been detained and refused to tell the police their home addresses. Following a few days of experience sharing I found my weaknesses. The experience further strengthened my determination to explain the truth of Falun Gong.

Once escorted home I was sentenced to forced labor. I was the first practitioner in my area sentenced to forced labor. Back then, those prison guards who only guarded practitioners were fond of using electric batons to torture practitioners. This guard regarded me as his opportunity for a promotion or a salary increase. To "reform" me, he took me to a room and used an electric baton to hit the metal bars on the door. I could see very strong shimmering and a loud "shriek." I could also hear a terrifying sound from outside the room. My heart sank: I had never seen anything like this before in my life. My legs felt weak but immediately I remembered that a Falun Gong practitioner should not be afraid. I called to Master. The prison guard was stunned. He ordered me to return to my cell and pretended that nothing had happened. I did not see him for a long time after that. I eventually heard from certain prisoners who were ordered to "sandwich" practitioners that this prison guard had violated the law and had hence been degraded to a lower ranked correction guard. I was later on transferred to the team where he worked and explained the truth to him. He showed some understanding for the practitioners.

The prison guards constantly tortured and mentally tormented practitioners. One day I suddenly was unable to move my lower extremities. To shirk responsibility, the prison guards intended to blame a personal cangue. I firmly refused to accept their ulterior motives and told them practitioners do not merely speak of "Truthfulness." From then on, until his release, this specific individual stopped participating in the persecution of practitioners. After I left the prison, he even helped me forward some of Master's lectures to the still imprisoned practitioners.

Home from the labor camp, I learned that, because of pressure from the 610 Office, my former employer had fired me. I had no other alternative but to go to Beijing to get help from a relative there. I did odd jobs to support my family. I slept in a large work shelter with 20 other workers. I would have to wait until everyone else went to sleep before I could study the Fa in very dim light. I did the sitting exercise on a bed.

What worried me most was having lost the opportunity to share experiences with fellow practitioners. I was unable to find practitioners in Beijing. Everyone around me was from out of town. I was even more worried about not having access to Master's latest lectures on time, and neither could I get the "Minghui Weekly." I could only rely on fellow practitioners from my hometown to mail me the lectures. I felt sad the whole time and wanted to go home, but for many reasons I could not. Sometimes I would ask Master to help me.

Afterwards, the company where I did odd jobs merged with another company, and I was transferred to a computer storage room. This enabled me to start learning computer skills. Later on, I could use the Internet at home. Certain practitioners from my hometown told me how to open an email account from the overseas websites. They also sent me the software that helped me to break through the Internet blockade. It only takes a few seconds for me to get on the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. In addition, I can also browse the websites that the regime has blocked.

Master once again has helped me to overcome tribulations and further enlarged the areas for me to cultivate.

I browse the Falun Gong websites daily, download truth-clarification information, and sometimes write articles for the websites to expose the persecution that practitioners suffer. At the same time I also find my own drawbacks so that I am constantly correcting my mistakes.

Notes:
(1) The Republic of China was the official government of China before the CCP took control in 1949.
(2) The Great Cultural Revolution lasted for ten years, from 1966 to 1976. Everything stopped, and the CCP government led by Mao Zedong led the Chinese into the "Revolution" against Chinese traditions, philosophies, and culture.

(Clearwisdom.net) Even though practitioners have been handing out truth-clarifying materials for several years, we have discovered that only about three to four percent of the people have actually learned the truth. This means that we have many blind spots in clarifying the truth, because we only hand out materials in places where it is fairly easy for people to accept the truth, and we cover the same places over and over again. We fall short in clarifying the truth face-to-face and helping people withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This article mainly focuses on some reflections about helping people withdraw from the CCP.

In the past I made use of opportunities arising in my work and day-to-day life to clarify the truth. Later I sometimes used opportunities while socializing with friends. I could persuade from three to eight people to withdraw from the CCP, and that was it. Later I read such articles as "Believe in Teacher and Dafa, Touring Around to Save Sentient Beings" and "Not Entering Into Low-Level Thinking," both of which truly touched my heart and let me see my gaps.

Falun Dafa practitioners in their daily lives come across so many sentient beings who need to be saved. Since these people are deeply poisoned by the evil CCP, if we rely on them to take the initiative to quit the CCP, the task is rather difficult. If we manage to help one more person quit, then we end up saving one more sentient being. Of course, when a practitioner saves one sentient being, perhaps more than one being is ultimately saved.

I looked inward for the reason why I didn't do well. The main reason was selfishness, which I have not completely let go of. As a result, I didn't truly treasure sentient beings in my heart and therefore I didn't have the purest thought of saving sentient beings. At this special moment in history, if I don't completely use my righteous thoughts to try my best to save sentient beings, then, with a human heart, how can I do well in saving sentient beings? I have practiced the Reinforcing Supernatural Powers exercise for many years, but perhaps I still didn't manage to use the divine power that Teacher has bestowed upon us to save sentient beings. I was lagging so far behind.

After I realized the nature of my problem, I began to tell myself that when I clarify the truth, I need to let go of my human notions, let go of myself, and completely use my righteous thoughts, which are divine thoughts bestowed upon us by Teacher. Even though I can hardly see or feel anything, I believe that as long as I continue walking on my cultivation path with righteous thoughts, miracles will display themselves.

When I was able to let go of myself and use righteous thoughts to help people quit the CCP, I finally made a breakthrough, I managed to help 25 people quit within three hours. After that, I worked with fellow practitioners to clarify the truth to farmers who worked in the field. I managed to help 37 people quit. During that time, I made use of my break time to share thoughts with other practitioners in order to look within deeply and reinforce our righteous thoughts.

In Teacher's video "Fa-teaching Given to the Australian Practitioners," Teacher emphasized looking inward, so only by looking within continuously and truly letting go of ourselves can we truly save more sentient beings, and better validate Dafa.

From Fa-study and practitioners' sharing, I came to realize that I should pay attention to not missing anyone who is there for me to clarify the truth to. I should save them. Some of them indeed came to me to learn the truth, and they quit the CCP after a few words. One time a practitioner was just heading out from a field and a street vendor stopped his vehicle and asked the practitioner for directions. Even though we couldn't give him the directions, we talked with him and learned he was a CCP member. After a few words of conversation, he was glad to quit the CCP.

One time when we were passing by a restaurant outside of a university campus, a male student was wandering around by the entrance. I wondered, "Was he there to hear the truth?" After I came back to talk to him, I found out that he was a CCP member, but he was happy to quit the Party using his real name. Then he promised he would pass on some flyers to his classmates. I almost missed this being.

One time a female university student wearing glasses was walking towards me. At that time, I had the thought of saving her, so I approached her and began to talk to her. While talking to her, I realized that she was very patient and was willing to learn the truth. She was a CCP member candidate and took some truth clarifying DVDs for her classmates.

Cultivate Diligently in a Solid Cultivation Environment of Helping People with the "Three Withdrawals"

Teacher clearly told us in "Teaching the Fa at the 2002 Fa Conference in Boston:"

"The old forces don't dare to oppose our clarifying the truth or saving sentient beings. What's key is to not let them take advantage of the gaps in your state of mind when you do things."

As we encourage people to withdraw from the CCP, the Youth League and the Young Pioneers, our peaceful demeanor can convince those who were deeply poisoned by the CCP that we have no interest in politics. Our interest is in saving them. With our righteous thoughts, how can they still have bad thoughts about us?

As I helped people with the "three withdrawals," my attachments, human notions, and shortcomings were continually revealed. Some attachments, which I had thought were removed or at least greatly reduced, kept popping up. This was a good thing, since I could discover these attachments so as to subdue them or eliminate them.

Sometimes I shared with my fellow practitioners about my great lack of compassion! If I had great compassion, then I would be better at saving more sentient beings. Later, as I helped people with the "three withdrawals," I came to realize that when we completely let go of ourselves and only keep one thought, of saving people, isn't this the greatest compassion we can have for sentient beings? Some practitioners plan to wait for the time when they study the Fa very well, and then go out to clarify the truth to people, because they figure that way they can do a better job in saving sentient beings.

We practitioners have encountered so many setbacks in the past because we lacked certain understandings of the Fa. We sometimes do things simply for the sake of doing them, without considering that what we do is part of our cultivation path.

Since the persecution began on July 20, 1999, practitioners have been tirelessly clarifying the truth while studying the Fa. This is a time when it is urgent to save sentient beings, and time waits for no one. We can't wait until we study the Fa very well before we begin saving sentient beings. In addition, just staying at home for the sake of studying the Fa doesn't necessarily mean that you can study the Fa well, because you can enlighten to many Fa principles only after you have applied what you've enlightened to.

Some practitioners lack confidence in themselves. They do not fully believe in Teacher and the Fa. Teacher has bestowed upon us this last chance to build up our mighty virtue, for our cultivation. We should not miss these opportunities time and time again.

I previously was a person who had difficultly expressing myself. Dafa changed me completely. A few times when I was urging others to withdraw from the CCP at a university campus, I was mistaken by the person who I was talking to for a university teacher. Actually, I am only a junior high school graduate.

As a matter of fact, helping people quit the CCP is not difficult, but eliminating our attachments is difficult. As long as we are courageous enough to step forward, we'll see "After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead!" (Zhuan Falun). As long as we are determined to give up our human attachments and notions and to clarify the truth with wisdom, we'll help people quit the CCP with less and less difficulty. "Cultivation depends on one's own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one's master." (Zhuan Falun). As long as we have the heart to save sentient beings and act on it, Teacher will give us wisdom.

Fellow practitioners, let's actively take action, seize the time to save more sentient beings, and leave no regrets for ourselves!

(Clearwisdom.net) Recently after listening to sharing by practitioners from other areas, I realized that our area was far from meeting Master's requirements. That is, we hadn't even done what Master required us to do on the issue of group Fa study. This problem has also been acknowledged among many practitioners in the area.

After a group sharing, practitioners in the area who volunteered to set up a group study environment became very anxious. Therefore, they initiated action, gave up their own comfortable environments and dealt with family restrictions, and helped practitioners organize a group study. After ten days of group Fa study, practitioners who participated felt like they gained a lot. Yet the coordinator saw something. The understanding that some practitioners had regarding group Fa study hadn't reached the same level as that of other practitioners. Therefore, motivating all practitioners to participate in group Fa study is still difficult. Because of this, I want to share my understanding on group Fa study with practitioners in this area.

I remember in the old peaceful days prior to the persecution, the days before July 20, 1999, I always wanted to do group study, because I have experienced the benefit of group study. Sharing and discussion among practitioners is very helpful to upgrade one's cultivation level. We all know that this has been required by Master because Master can foresee that it will produce the best results.

However, the old forces have also seen it, and they know that group study is the foundation for maturing practitioners and a melting pot for becoming genuine Dafa disciples. Therefore, they also participated vigorously in so-called examining practitioners. We proceeded through this big "examination," gained experience, and learned lessons. This is not a big deal to true cultivators, yet it is not easy to go through. I have seen practitioners who still haven't walked out of humanity even though they are doing the three things.

So what is the problem? After sharing with practitioners from other areas, we found that our distance apart causes our problems. We are doing the three things on the surface, but we haven't truly denied the old forces. We are doing the three things under the arrangement of the old forces.

Let's talk about group Fa study. Group Fa study is required by master. The old forces want to isolate practitioners, using attachments as an excuse to destroy the group Fa study environment. Without this environment, some practitioners have stopped practicing, some lost their bodies of this world, and our various attachments became apparent and visible. Some practitioners are still studying at home. No matter how advanced we feel we are, we need to follow Master's requirements. We haven't done what Master required us to do on this issue. Master said,

"If you, as a student [of Dafa], do not follow Master's requirements, it is definitely no simple thing. The old forces have arranged for all Dafa disciples a set of their things, so if a Dafa disciple doesn't follow Master's requirements, he must be following the old forces' arrangements. The old forces are in essence gigantic trials and tribulations that accompany you at all times, focused on whether in Fa-rectification Dafa disciples are able to step forward.

If after going through this ordeal some students are still not clearheaded, then they will miss [the opportunities presented in] all of this. Only when you follow Master's requirements are you validating the Fa and cultivating yourself as a Dafa disciple, and only then are you a true Dafa disciple." ("Be Clearheaded," May 8, 2004)

I realized that our area hadn't formed a whole body. That is because we didn't have this group study environment. Also, because of this, it lowered our effectiveness in saving people.

Therefore, I suggest that this area's practitioners who still haven't participated in group study check themselves to see if they have been in that state for a long time. Since we are all a part of Dafa, then we should do what Master requires of us--participate in group study. Only by doing so can we help each other, overcome our weaknesses, eliminate our attachments, and fill in what we lack. Willingness to take this step is physically breaking through the old force's restrictions. Only by studying as a group can we share and exchange experiences and understandings, upgrade ourselves with the Fa when we encounter problems, and form an indestructible one body. Only by doing this will we raise our effectiveness in saving people in this area. I am hoping that all practitioners will pay attention to this issue, coordinate with each other, form a whole body, pragmatically save people, righteously clarify truth, and truly save all sentient beings.

This is my understanding, and I am also writing about it to encourage myself. If anything is not with Fa, please kindly point it out.

(Clearwisdom.net) A "solemn declaration" is a person's public statement declaring to the world that whatever he or she has done or said under duress or deception that was against Falun Dafa is null and void. Most of these statements have come from Falun Dafa practitioners in China who wished to express regret that, in the face of physical torture and brainwashing, they had signed documents renouncing Dafa and guaranteeing not to practice again. Also, as more and more people in China learn the truth about how they have been deceived and lied to by the Jiang regime, many non-practitioners are also submitting "solemn declarations."

(Clearwisdom.net) More and more people in China are awakening to the truth and realizing that they were deceived by Jiang and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into participating in the persecution of Falun Gong, either directly as government officials, police, labor camp guards, etc., or indirectly as practitioners' family members, who in many cases may have cursed Dafa, burned Dafa books, or interfered in various other ways to prevent practitioners from following their beliefs. As a result of this awakening, the Minghui/ Clearwisdom website is receiving increasing numbers of heartfelt messages from non-practitioners who wish to publicly express remorse for their wrongdoing and announce their intention to rectify their words and deeds in the future. The editors will periodically choose representative messages of this type and publish them as articles entitled, "Solemn Statements from Non-Practitioners."