Each time when we learned how practitioners in other countries utilized various means to clarify the truth about Falun Gong, we couldn't help but to admire their talented approaches. However, when it came to us, we always felt that we didn't have the right conditions and we ended up either unable to do it or doing it with poor results.
We were planning to hold an event on November 12, to clarify the true facts about our practice when some different opinions made us a bit hesitant and wonder if we should hold this event. Now looking back, we realize it was all because of our human mentality.
Our first concern was the selection of materials. Some practitioners said distributing "Falun Dafa---A Peaceful Journey" would not lead to a very good effect because some Koreans may not dare to come to learn Falun Gong if they knew it's being suppressed in China, so they suggested focusing on the benefit that Falun Gong could result in improvement in people's health and fitness. Nevertheless, we felt that in this special historical period our duty was not only leading predestined people to obtain the Fa (Law) but more importantly also clarifying the truth to people in this world. If some people were afraid to learn Falun Gong after reading the material, then it was their own decision. Many ordinary people were even willing to investigate the truth, or speak out for Dafa, why should some individuals refuse to face the truth?
Though we should be mindful of such people's mentality, we would not give up what we must do simply because it was too "politically sensitive" to them. In fact, there were a lot of people, including family members, who could not understand and were hostile to Dafa practitioners one year ago when they stepped forward to appeal to the Chinese government. Yet Dafa practitioners forged ahead without wavering. As time went by, more and more people came to a better understanding of Dafa practitioners' undertaking. People started to appreciate and even learn from practitioners. Oftentimes, it was our human mentality that was hindering us. Most people would expect some return or reward for their effort. They would make an effort to do something if there was a reasonable chance of success. The Teacher stated in 'Zhuan Falun': "When it's difficult to endure, you can endure it. When it's impossible to do, you can do it." "When it looks impossible and is said to be impossible, you give it a try and see if it is possible. If you can really make it, you will indeed find: "After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead!"" (Page 332) Sometimes we felt there was no way out when indeed it was the only way leading to survival. We should do whatever we think is right regardless of others' opinions. Wasn't this also one of the connotations behind "Truthfulness"? If we stopped speaking out about what we should proclaim or stopped doing what we set out to accomplish when others criticized us, then how could we stand resolutely by the Truth? How could we cultivate ourselves?
From another perspective, we were also showing our compassion to the people of this world when we clarified the truth to them without expecting their sympathy in return. Where a person should position Dafa would have a far-reaching impact on his life.
Another concern was our promotion format. Some practitioners pointed out that hanging the 'Please Investigate the Truth of Falun Gong' sign around the neck might project a less desirable image. So on the day of November 12, I brought a foldable table and a banner. After I got there I set up the table and hung up the banner. Some practitioners hung signs around their neck, and others simply put the sign on the box containing the information packets. They walked around to tell people the truth. It seemed hanging a sign around the neck was not that unsuitable as I imagined before. One practitioner said: "It is all because of our preoccupied opinions."
We had a pretty good result this time. Some people came back for more material after reading it so that they could bring it to their friends. The five of us distributed some 700 copies of materials and we did not see any being tossed away by the wayside. In the process of clarifying the truth, we deeply realized that so long as we set our hearts firm on Dafa and let go of our human mentality, we could do better in promoting Fa.
A Korean Practitioner
November 19, 2000
