(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Dafa was first introduced in Bali on 13 April 2001. After some time, Falun Dafa was spread to various areas of Bali, and during this time, we found for the first time a blind person who wanted to practice Falun Dafa. In order for him to become a practitioner, he needed to be able to study Dafa, besides doing the five exercises. Of course a person who is blind faced difficulties. In order for us to solve this problem, he went with us to study with other practitioners, and simply listened during the study session.

During the process of spreading Dafa to other regions, we again met a blind child who wanted to practice Falun Dafa. He was able to read Braille, and in order for him to study Zhuan Falun, he translated the lectures of Zhuan Falun into Braille with the help of a practitioner reading to him. With the minimal tools they had, he succeeded in translating the first chapter of Zhuan Falun into Braille. Flashing back, I noted that it was not an easy thing to do, as there was so much interference. For example, the practitioner who was reading the book to him was made to be very busy, which resulted in him having no time to read it again, and thus the translation was delayed.

Based on these two experiences, we thought, "Wouldn't it be better if Falun Dafa was introduced to the school of the blind children?" In Denpasar, Bali, there is a school for blind children known by the name of Dria Raba. One day we went to the school with another practitioner to introduce Falun Dafa. We were warmly welcomed by a staff member there, and then introduced to the head of the school. The head of the school offered to lend us the school's facilities for practicing, like the hall, the computer, etc. On Tuesday, November 11, 2003, for the first time, Falun Dafa was introduced to the kids, followed by some of the staff. We faced some difficulties teaching the movements to the children, as they could not see. In order for them to learn the movements, we held their hands one by one. Since the number of the children exceeded the number of practitioners who were there, we taught one student after another. Group practice was then scheduled for every Tuesday in the school's hall. With the help of more practitioners who came to help the children with the movements, after several practice sessions, there was progress.

Of course Falun Dafa consists of not only exercises. It is important to study Dafa and Master's other articles, and primarily Zhuan Falun. Therefore, we, with some other staff members from the school who followed the practice, printed the Indonesian version of Zhuan Falun in Braille. With the help of the computer from Norway to print the Braille, and the help of the staff, two books of Zhuan Falun in Braille were printed, with 940 pages each, on paper sized 25 cm x 30.5 cm.

Group photo with banner in front of the school

Sending forth righteous thoughts

Reading together the Indonesian version of Zhuan Falun in Braille

Practicing the fifth Falun Gong exercise

Group photo of the students handholding the Indonesian version of Zhuan Falun in Braille

After several practice sessions on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., they were moved to 3:00 p.m., so the students would be able to read one lecture before doing the exercises. Reading was followed by the fifth exercise for 30 minutes, and exercises 1 - 4 for 45 minutes. After several practice sessions and study of Zhuan Falun, the fifth exercise was extended to 45 minutes.

As the books in Braille were limited, the children were not able to read together. They could only listen to their fellow practitioners reading before doing the exercises. With the efforts of a practitioner who is also a staff member there, ten books of Chapter 1 and ten books of Chapter 2 have been made. The work will continue through Chapter 9.

On April 27, 2004, after reading Zhuan Falun several times, for the first time the children could together study the Indonesian version of Zhuan Falun in Braille. There were sixteen children following the practice, consisting of seven students from primary, three students from secondary, five from junior high, and a 2003-graduate. From the sixteen people joining the practice, there were eight males and eight females.

During the time we were reading together, the children read with enthusiasm and also with strong voices. They did not feel sleepy any longer, as when they could only listen. We practitioners who went there were deeply touched seeing the blind children read Zhuan Falun full of enthusiasm. This shows that Zhuan Falun is meant for everyone, including those who are handicapped. As Master pointed out, Master only looks at someone's heart, and whoever wants to practice can do so, as long as their hearts are moved to practice (this is my understanding). Reading together was followed by the fifth exercise, which was done for 45 minutes, and then by experience sharing in order for the students to build up their self-confidence.