The practitioners in Toronto volunteered to teach Falun Dafa at Pikedal Community Center for 9 weeks: at 1:00pm-5:30pm Saturdays from 30 September to 25 November. We would like to share some of our experiences and thoughts.
To promote Dafa at the community center, we first introduced it to the program director at the center. We informed the director that Falun Dafa had been well received throughout the world; there were numerous proclamations from various societies and governments; Falun Dafa could result in great benefits for the body and mind. We also briefly mentioned in contrast, the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, perhaps to arouse the Buddha nature in the director's heart.
Having obtained the 'ok' to go ahead, our next hurdle was working with the staff in the community center. As Falun Dafa practitioners, we were mindful of the fact that we represented Dafa and our conduct bespoke of its image; hence was very important in terms of safeguarding and promoting Dafa.
We ensured that we always arrived there at least half an hour early to assist the staff in setting up the facility. At the end, we helped to keep the site clean and to return the facility to its original condition. This also facilitated our introduction of Dafa to the staff members themselves.
We were unassuming in our dealing with the staff and were handsomely rewarded. For example, we consulted them on the contents of our flyers, they appreciated the gesture and reciprocated by offering to post them in the building for us. They also granted us a spot for our boards ahead of time.
These might seem like trivial matters, however they created a direct impression on the staff members, enhanced mutual understanding, and facilitated friendly bonding between us. This will no doubt be helpful in the future for our Dafa promotion activities there.
During the course of promoting the Fa, we could feel the great benevolence of our Teacher. We were very grateful to our Teacher for bringing us the Fa, and hopes to all sentient beings. Whenever a predestined person stepped into our class, we all knew it was through our Teacher's benevolence. We were deeply touched.
People came and went; some started to seriously learn Dafa with us besides just doing the exercises. Regardless of whether they would continue with the class or not, we felt at least they were fortunate enough to obtain the Fa. Human beings are lost in delusion, if they realize it one day, they would have treasured this opportunity!
Our gratitude is beyond words. After all, Dafa and our venerable teacher have given us so much, and the duty we should fulfill as disciples is too insignificant in comparison. Only by turning this gratitude into the motive force for further advance and genuine cultivation, can we not feel too ashamed in front of our benevolent Teacher. With benevolence towards all sentient beings, we should wholeheartedly assist our Teacher by leading people with predestined relationship to Dafa. This is undoubtedly the duty that Dafa disciples should fulfill.
We met a middle-aged couple who had just immigrated from China. From their suspicious and somewhat hostile looks, we could sense the extent of the vicious influence the propaganda by the evil force in China must have on them. After talking and answering their questions, they became much more friendly and were willing to accept the Dafa material. This chance meeting gave this couple an opportunity to learn about Dafa afresh.
Another Chinese man came and talked to us. He then sat down and watched us practice for half an hour. When he left, he said he would come back again. Whatever made him come in the first place, he had a chance to learn about the real story.
Let us tell the truth; promote Dafa with reason, wisdom and benevolence; keep apace with teacher's Fa-rectification; fulfill our own duty as cultivators of the righteous law, and assist our teacher in the human society!
The above are our personal experiences and thoughts. We would appreciate any input, suggestion or advice.
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