Being Considerate for Others --- A Lesson I Have Learned

[Note from Editor: This article was read in a recent experience-sharing conference held in Lanzhou City, Gan-su Province by courageous Falun Gong practitioners.]

Yesterday I was lucky enough to read the experience sharing articles and cultivation stories of many Falun Dafa practitioners and I was deeply moved by them. One of the stories is about a group of practitioners who went to appeal. When the policemen saw them, they started beating and kicking them. Suddenly a teenage girl stepped out and said to the policemen: "Sir, please stop beating them. They are all good people. If you have to beat someone, please beat me." What she said seemed to be simple, but it showed the great compassion and courage of a young practitioner. Reflecting upon my own trip to Beijing to appeal, I find a big gap between that girl and myself.

At dawn on Tiananmen Square, the sun was about to rise, and everywhere was shrouded in a heavy mist. There were few vehicles and people on the road. Probably people were still in sleep. The national flag raised not long ago was on the pole and was ready to flutter in the wind. Patrolmen, in long cotton coats, were patrolling back and forth on the square, inspecting everyone and frequently questioning people they found suspicious. Not far away there was a police car driving around with the siren on. When Falun Dafa practitioners were spotted, they would be forced into the car. The policemen spotted us before we started to do the practice. After repeated interrogations, we were taken to the police car. One policeman in plain coat leaned on the seat and had a cigar in his mouth. Seeing me scared and nervous, he asked: "What do you do?" I did not answer. He then asked me again. Yet I still did not respond. He was annoyed and jumped up and scolded me, "I am asking you, are you deaf?" "I am a Falun Gong practitioner." This was followed by fists and slaps right on my head and face. Other fellow practitioners around encouraged me with smile on their faces and said: "Don't be sad, you should be tolerant and compassionate."

At that time, three other practitioners were pushed into the police car while being beaten and cursed. Another policeman in plain coat said furiously: "These three even did sitting meditation in front of the Monument." One of the practitioners who was in a leather jacket sat in front of me, with a smile on his face. The policeman became exasperate at this. He madly charged to the practitioner and beat him with fists and kicked him to let off his anger. This practitioner kept the smile on the face from the beginning to the end, as indestructible as a diamond.

Now whenever I think about what happened that day, I cannot forgive myself for being coward. Why didn't I step out upon seeing another innocent practitioner was beaten by police? I don't mean to fight against anybody. When Falun Dafa practitioners were in difficulties, I, as a fellow practitioner, should not have been indifferent to it. Which level did I put myself at? I should have said something to the policeman in a good manner, such as, "What you are doing is against the law." What I was supposed to do was to protect Falun Dafa. I should not have just gone through formalities. Every practitioner should raise his or her Xinxing to this level: "You should have first consideration for others so as to attain the righteous enlightenment of selflessness and altruism. So from now on whatever you do and whatever you say, you must have consideration for others, for future generations, and also for keeping the Great Law intact forever." (quoted from one of Teacher Li's articles)

December 18, 1999