Editor's Note: Falun Dafa was first taught in public in Changchun, China in May 1992. How did it attract one hundred million practitioners in only seven years? We will publish some experience sharing stories written by practitioners in China before the persecution began in July 1999 to help others learn the answer to this question. These practitioners' stories are a true record of Falun Dafa's history.

I am a retired cadre, an ex-committee member of the provincial People's Political Consultative Conference, and assistant secretary-general (Editor's Note -- this man is a retired upper mid-level Party official). I am 70 years old. I started to practice Falun Dafa on December 16, 1995. It has been almost two years now.

While I was practicing "holding the wheel in front of the head," ( part of the second of the five sets of Falun Dafa exercises) on the morning of March 17, 1996, I suddenly thought: I have been practicing Falun Dafa for more than 100 days and its boundless powers have manifested in me. If I am still not willing to tell others about the changes I've experienced, and introduce Falun Dafa to them, then it would be my own blind ignorance! I cried when I thought about it.

I used to have severe muscular dystrophy on the right side of my body. I could not take care of myself. I also had more than ten diseases; such as heart disease, high blood pressure, nervous breakdowns, symptoms of a concussion, arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, pharyngitis, protrusion of the lumbar vertebra disc, and I easily caught colds.

I could not stop taking medicine. The medical expenses were higher than for anyone else at my workplace. The muscular dystrophy of my right side carried on for a few decades. It continued to develop until the whole right side of my body atrophied. The right shoulder blade dislocated. Some nurses could not even look at it.

My right arm was very skinny and had no strength. I could not even pick up a match stick. The muscles on my right hand and foot shrank to the point of lost resistivity. They became stiff in minus 13 or 14 degree weather (Celsius). My skin became very pale. My right ankle would not bend. My right foot was two sizes smaller than the left one. My right lower leg was more than 10 centimeters smaller than the left one. Even my right face and neck shrank. My head was crooked to the right side, the body leaned to the right and my foot often turned to the right when I walked.

This disease has no cure. When it develops from the muscle to the inner organs this person is gone! It caused many difficulties in my life. The illness became worse every year and I was pessimistic about the future.

After I learned Falun Gong, I really felt that I had gained a treasure. I had been introduced to the Great Way and cultivation practice! I eagerly read Zhuan Falun, Essentials For Further Advancement and other articles each. Before I go to bed and when I wake up in the morning, I recite "Lunyu". I study the Fa every day to deepen my understandings. I write in my cultivation diary daily.

I also practice the exercises diligently. I could not do the exercises accurately with my previous health situation. I could only do 'overlap the hands in front of the lower abdomen' and 'conjoin the hands' well. Therefore I admired fellow practitioners. But I was determined to cultivate. My heart was righteous, and I practiced with the faith of my heart.

Since I started to practice Falun Gong, no matter what the situation, I keep practicing the exercises every day. In my cultivation, I also had a lot of interference from many sources. Through studying Teacher's article "Expounding on the Fa" these interferences have been cleared up. For example, some interference kept me from practice of the exercises and not able to sleep at night. After the tribulation passed, I would still practice at midnight and in the morning without any sleep. I persisted in practicing the exercises daily. I also memorized the verses and the principles of the exercises trying to understand more, I always do as we were taught, have the heart for practicing gong but not attaining it intentionally.I also earnestly elevate my Xinxing (heart/mind nature, or moral character) according to my understandings of the requirements of Dafa. I believe in Teacher and Dafa without any doubt! Dafa makes me bright and clear minded, and no interference can change my firm determination. According to Teacher's words from Hong Yin,

"Study the Fa and obtain the Fa;

Share in learning and share in cultivating;

Following the Fa in everything;

Compliance is cultivation."

I regard myself as a practitioner always and I am strict with myself. In the process of cultivation, I gradually realized and understood that my diseases are caused by my own karma.

"But life after life of karma blocking."

So many severe illnesses are the results of losing so much virtue and having a lot of karma. I have to repay my own karma.

"Determined in eliminating karma and cultivating xinxing."

Since I understood the Fa, Teacher continuously purified my body for me. The elimination of karma took the form of vomiting blood, having blood in the stool, and strong unbearable stomach pains. It was truly as teacher said,

"After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead,"

and I stepped into a new realm! Teacher said

"Only through enduring hardships can one repay one's karma."

Therefore I am not afraid of any tribulation, even death! I have obtained the correct way and Law, just like the ancients said:

"Having heard the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening!"

At the end of December 1995, I had only practiced for half a month. I found my right foot became bigger and the ankle became wider. My skin had changed to a light red color and there was new skin growth. At a little over a month, the right side of my body gained muscle and my weight increased. I had more resistance to the cold and I had a lot more energy. I was able to use my right arm again by the end of March, 1996. The mighty power of Dafa made my body change every day!

My left hand had been very weak. I only use it when my right hand is not enough. I used to do everything with my left hand, so I said, "If I die, put more flowers on the left side, because the left hand has contributed more for a few decades. I should hold a memorial for it!" Now my hand and leg are back to normal. Every time I see and touch the areas of my body that grow more flesh or have new changes, I have tears in my eyes!

On March 18, 1996, my weight was 70 kg (almost 155 lb), I had used to weigh only 63.5 kgs (140 lb). From the first of my practice to March 18 is total of 94 days, and I became 6.5 kgs (almost 15 lb) heavier. My belt was tighter by 2 notches.

In the past, I visited many famous hospitals to seek a cure for my disease, but all the methods had no effect. At last I had looked for Qigong, but I was cheated before. I never dreamed of a gradual recovery from my illness in a few decades! However, after I practiced Falun Gong for about 100 days, my body had miraculous changes! Such a great Dafa and such a good Teacher! There is no superstition and illusory phenomena that can't be understood by normal people. It is all real!

It is well known that elderly people are often weak with muscular atrophy, osteoporosis, weight loss, and illness. They are sensitive to the cold and have poor blood circulation. I have not been to the hospital or spent any money on medicine for two years. My heart disease and high blood pressure have all been cleared away. I am glowing with health, have a clear mind and bright eyes. I sleep, eat and digest well and I am full of energy. Someone asked me about practicing Dafa, I said, "Dafa is immense. You gain without pursuit. The joy is endless and the benefit is infinite."

The changes in my body absolutely validate what Teacher says in Zhuan Falun. "In order to cure illness or eliminate tribulations and karma, these people must practice cultivation and return to their original, true selves. This is how all the different cultivation schools view it." Teacher purified my body of so many severe illnesses, and made me understand more about what "Lunyu" says.

"If human beings are able to take a fresh look at themselves as well as the universe and change their rigid mentalities, humankind will make a leap forward. 'The Buddha Fa' enables humankind to understand the immeasurable and boundless world. Throughout the ages, only 'the Buddha Fa' has been able to perfectly provide a clear exposition of humanity, every dimension of material existence, life, and the entire universe."

What doctor can explain the changes in my body? Only "the Buddha Fa" can provide a clear exposition! This is the absolute truth! Absolute science!

Teacher said,

"In this final period of Last Havoc, I am making it public again. Therefore, it is extremely precious. (Zhuan Falun)"

Therefore, we are able to gain this Great Way today, it is the fortune of all mankind! I hope I can practice Falun Dafa well and follow Teacher towards higher levels, to succeed in returning to my true self.