(Clearwisdom.net) I am an elementary school teacher from Heilongjiang Province. During the past five years, I have been arrested four times and illegally sentenced to one year in a forced labor camp for clarifying the truth about Falun Gong. In 2001 I returned to my teaching job. By then my peers, students and relatives had learned that I practiced Falun Gong, so I have been able to talk about Falun Gong openly. It has become an excellent environment for me to clarify the truth. For the past few years, I have been validating Falun Gong at work through my actions and have taken every opportunity to clarify the truth to my fellow schoolteachers and students. This helps me save the lives poisoned by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) lies.
I will summarize below my experiences in validating the Fa during the past few years.
Taking Advantage of Every Opportunity to Tell My Supervisors and Colleagues the Facts about Falun Gong
I was illegally sentenced to one year in a forced labor camp in 2001. After I was released at the end of 2001, the Chairman of the Education Committee and the principal came to visit me at home. I thought this was a wonderful opportunity to clarify the truth to them. When the Chairman asked me about my future plans, I told him, "I have been trying to be a good person according to Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. When I return to work, I will prove this through my work ethics. I hope that you will accept me as I am." Next I told them the facts of the persecution against me. I didn't feel any fear and therefore could clarify the truth with confidence. After hearing what I had to say, the Chairman of the Education Committee asked no further questions.
Three days later I returned to work. I have used every opportunity to clarify the truth to my supervisors and colleagues during our routine interactions, at banquets, and during every activity.
Before I returned to work, the principal met with my colleagues and asked them to convince me to renounce Falun Gong. He also told them, "If you cannot change her mind, at least do not be persuaded to practice Falun Gong." Soon after I returned to work, the tension disappeared. Even the principal himself told me, "I will stop monitoring you."
When I first returned to work, I was sent to the computer lab to type materials. It was a great opportunity to interact with my colleagues. I thought that I must use this opportunity. Because I had been arrested three times, some of my colleagues had developed a negative attitude about me. They didn't know the truth about Falun Gong. Given the media's smear campaign against Falun Gong, some of them actually believed that I was not normal. What should I do? I felt that I should interact with them more frequently to help them understand the truth. They were severely poisoned by the CCP's lies about Falun Gong and often wrote negative things about Falun Gong in their materials. I began to address what they had written. Because I was responsible for typing nearly all the materials, I would delete all the content regarding Falun Gong in their reports or the Brigade Department's propaganda materials. Once the Chairman was in the room while I was typing the report. I told her not to write about Falun Gong any longer because it would be bad for her. She said the principal told her to do so and that she would be reprimanded if she deleted the content about Falun Gong. I told her, "The principal will not reprimand you." She believed me and removed the bad material about Falun Gong. Then I started clarifying the truth about Falun Gong to her. I held very strong righteous thoughts and was determined to stop the evil from undermining Falun Gong.
Sometimes the principal also mentioned Falun Gong in his writings, but I never hesitated to delete those instances either. It was just like Teacher has said,
"If you are not afraid, the factor that would make you afraid will cease to exist." (From "Eliminate Your Last Attachment(s)" in Essentials for Further Advancement II)
I deleted all slander about Falun Gong from my school's materials. I also sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate all the evil factors. The teachers' reports no longer contained anything about Falun Gong.
My colleagues often came to the computer lab to type reports. If they didn't know how to type or use the printer, I agreed to help them immediately. In our conversations they often asked me about Falun Gong. I told them about the persecution I had suffered and the truth about Falun Gong. I explained to them that the self-immolation incident at Tiananmen Square was a hoax. Each time we talked in a very friendly atmosphere. Some of them eventually understood and accepted the truth about Falun Gong.
During truth-clarification, I kept sending forth righteous thoughts while remaining compassionate and peaceful. I moved naturally to the subject of Falun Gong. When my colleagues failed to accept the truth, I would not argue with them. Instead, I would find the opportune moment to eliminate their misunderstanding about Falun Gong. Sometimes when I failed to fully clarify the truth in one conversation, I would remember to continue next time. Because I got along with my colleagues very well, I remained part of their social circle. Everyone enjoyed my company. Because of my patient explanations, all the schoolteachers finally understood and accepted the truth. Sometimes when they heard official "facts" of the persecution, they became very upset and angry. They complained that society is so evil that it is not easy to be a good person.
Most of my interactions are with my supervisors, especially the principal. She had an attachment to fear and a very strong attachment to fame and self-interest. Moreover, she didn't know the truth about Falun Gong. Therefore, I used every opportunity I could to talk to her, repeatedly sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil factors, and encouraged her kind nature. We held friendly conversations. The assistant principal liked me very much. She was worried that I might be arrested again for practicing Falun Gong, so she often wanted to talk me out of practicing Falun Gong. Out of kindness, I clarified the truth to her. I told her that I would be very rational and wise. I have also asked her not to write any guarantee that I wouldn't practice Falun Gong again. I also told her that she must not produce any negative propaganda against Falun Gong or write any such guarantee herself.
Each time my supervisors tried to talk me into renouncing Falun Gong, I would take the opportunity to clarify the truth about Falun Gong. Their attempts became opportunities for me to clarify the truth about Falun Gong and reveal the evil's persecution to them. I told them about the persecution I had experienced firsthand and heard about. Finally they became indignant towards the persecution.
At last the principal accepted me and started trusting me. She no longer asked anyone to monitor me. We talked about everything. Once she said, "You have truly met the standard of a cultivator. I really admire you. You must pay attention to safety." During the 16th National People's Congress, she was truly worried about me. She told me in private, "Why don't you stay at home for a few days until the congress is over. Go into hiding. We cannot afford to fight with them." I replied, "Relax. It is all right."
A lot of material had to be typed and checked for spelling. Often I didn't take my lunch break. No matter how busy I was, I always finished on time without complaint. If materials were needed in a hurry, I would take the work home. When my supervisor realized this, she was very touched. My colleagues felt it was unjust. Some veteran schoolteachers went to the supervisors and told them that they had given me too much to type. They complained, "She is such a kind person and never says no to anyone, but we don't want to see her suffer. You really must reduce her workload." In the second semester, the principal reduced my workload by half and told me, "You are very popular."
Through our frequent interactions, I established a strong friendship with my supervisors and my colleagues. I helped them develop righteous thoughts. During the past few years, there have been three different principals. I repeatedly clarified the truth to each of them and have never missed any opportunity to do so. The first principal was an elderly man. At his retirement party, he told me in front of all the guests, "I admire you more than anyone. You have the courage to speak up and persevere in the truth. I hope you will cultivate in Falun Gong diligently!" After interacting with me, the second principal stopped slandering Falun Gong.
Once I asked my bosses for help to get a full refund of the illegal fines collected by the police during the two arrests. Both the principal and assistant principal helped me get the refund. The assistant principal even took me to the 610 Office, the local police station and the public security to demand the full refund. She told them that I was an exceptional employee at school. After one year, I finally received a full refund. The outcome has transformed many of my colleagues' impressions of Falun Gong. Some of the schoolteachers commented, "It proves that it is wrong to persecute Falun Gong. Otherwise, they wouldn't have issued you a refund."
After the third principal arrived at her post, she made a few attempts in the beginning to have me renounce Falun Gong in writing. Of course I refused. Instead, I introduced Falun Gong to her and clarified the truth about Falun Gong and China's evil persecution against Falun Gong. I also sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil factors manipulating her into violating my freedom of spiritual belief. By doing so, I have effectively suppressed the evil.
Send Forth Righteous Thoughts to Eliminate the Interference; Clarify the Truth to Students and Their Parents
A fellow practitioner once reminded me during an experience-sharing gathering: "You must not be restricted to one working environment. You should try to get in touch with students in order to save the children." I realized that I should expand my target audience when I clarify the truth. Thus, I started sending forth righteous thoughts, denying all of the old forces' arrangements and eliminating all factors interfering with the Fa-rectification. Meanwhile, I asked for Teacher's reinforcement with my righteous thoughts. Soon the school had me teach a class.
First I was asked to teach one subject and then I was given the responsibility of class advisor. I treated every student with the kindness I had cultivated through my Falun Gong cultivation practice. I started with moral education to rectify my students' speech and actions. I nurtured their morality and conduct. I cared about every student's growth. My sincerity and affection touched my students and I soon won their trust. In fact, my students and I have become good friends. I often clarified the truth to them in a friendly atmosphere. My students have come to know that Falun Gong is good.
One semester, I taught eight social studies classes. This subject includes discussions about religion and spiritual belief, such as the legend of Huang Di (or the Yellow Emperor), where he soars into the sky on the back of a Chinese dragon when the heavenly gate opens up after he dies, and Shakyamuni's cultivation stories. While I taught the students these stories, I also told them more about cultivation practice. I taught them about the existence of divine beings, as well as freedom of religion and spiritual belief. The students were all ears when I told them cultivation stories and the stories about the universe ultimately rewarding good deeds and punishing bad deeds. I taught my students that they should be of high morals.
Once a student said in class, "Teacher, these are superstitions." I replied, "No, they are not. There have always been cultivators in Chinese history. Modern laws grant everyone freedom of spiritual belief." Next he asked, "Is Falun Gong a superstition?" I replied, "Falun Gong is not a superstition, either. It is a Buddha school cultivation practice. It is also a type of spiritual belief. Falun Gong practitioners are trying to become better people and conduct themselves according to Falun Gong's cultivation principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. It is actually a wonderful thing." Another student asked me about the staged self-immolation in Tiananmen Square. I clarified the truth about that infamous incident and told them that it was a hoax to instigate people's hatred of and fear towards Falun Gong. During question and answer sessions, I clarified the truth about Falun Gong. I did not neglect to teach the subject. By clarifying the truth rationally and wisely while keeping righteous thoughts at all times, I eliminated successfully these children's bad thoughts about Falun Gong.
Once I happened to spot a student with a Falun Gong flyer in his hand. Suddenly it occurred to me that I should use the opportunity to clarify the truth. I took the flyer and asked the class, "Where did you find the flyer?" They told me that they had found it on the ground. I told them, "Its content is wonderful. I enjoy reading it too." Then the students started to debate with one another. Some of them said Falun Gong was bad, but others thought it was good. Some of them mentioned the self-immolation incident in Tiananmen Square. I told the class, "Actually, Falun Gong is a very good cultivation practice. No one should ban Falun Gong. There is nothing wrong with its principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance."
A student then asked me, "Teacher, do you practice Falun Gong?" The abrupt question did not make me panic. I didn't avoid the question. I answered them directly, "Yes, I have been practicing Falun Gong for eight years." Next I told them a brief summary of my four illegal arrests and detention. They were very touched by my personal stories. I asked the class, "Do you think I look like a bad person?" The class replied, "Teacher, you are by no means a bad person. You have been very kind to us." Some said, "Teacher, if anyone dares to arrest you, I will fight with him." Finally I told the class to remember that Falun Gong is good.
During my cultivation practice, I have truly felt that Falun Gong practitioners' righteous thoughts are powerful. Once I heard that a young colleague of mine often told her class that Falun Gong is bad and that they shouldn't practice Falun Gong. After I heard the news, I thought to myself, "I must find an opportunity to save the children in her class." The following semester, the principal asked me to become that class's advisor because the former advisor was about to take her maternity leave. I was asked to teach the class for a semester. I was immensely grateful to Teacher's compassion and cherished this opportunity very much.
During that semester, I not only paid attention to their education, but also worked on their moral education. I taught them to be more independent and have high aspirations. I taught them to become better people and helped rectify their behavior. Several children in the class were stealing. After a semester, they stopped stealing. Their parents were very grateful. Many of the students were only children and thus very selfish. I instilled good values in them, such as honesty, kindness, charity and returning other people's lost money or valuables. I told them many stories from Chinese mythology, such as the stone lion with red eyes, the deer with nine shades of color, the deceitful child eaten by a wolf and Shakyamuni's cultivation stories. The entire class enjoyed these stories. Once a student asked me during a class, "Teacher, I would like to know why you are so different from other teachers. Why are you so nice to us?" I replied, "I have become kinder and more agreeable after I started practicing Falun Gong. Besides, I like you very much."
Another student asked, "Could you tell us how you started practicing Falun Gong?" I replied, "I am glad to have the opportunity to teach this class for a semester." Then I told them about my cultivation experience and facts of China's persecution against me. They have also remembered that Falun Gong is good. Because of my enthusiasm in education and my genuine concern for the children's life and learning, their parents showered me with praises and asked my advise on educating children. I patiently shared my viewpoints. In our pleasant conversations, I shared the facts about Falun Gong with them.
That semester's work was very rewarding. My class learned the truth about Falun Gong and their parents have accepted me. Their parents told each other, "She is such a wonderful teacher. She is genuinely concerned for the children." Some parents told me, "Before I knew you, I thought Falun Gong was bad. Now we no longer think Falun Gong is bad." I began to clarify the truth to them in detail. I also loaned them Teacher's Fa lectures in audiocassettes and in VCD. Some parents have started practicing Falun Gong. The former class advisor has returned after her maternity break. She and I have become good friends. Through our friendship, she now has a positive impression of Falun Gong and has accepted the truth about Falun Gong.
My school supervisors have talked to me and asked me not to talk about Falun Gong at school. I replied, "Principal, when my colleagues say, 'Falun Gong practitioners are abnormal because they will commit suicide, kill people and are political,' I have to explain the truth to them because they are spreading vicious rumors. I have been trying to become a better person by practicing Falun Gong. If I don't explain the truth about Falun Gong to them, they will think of me as a bad person. What is wrong with learning the truth?" Some of my supervisors forbade me to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to the children. I told them, "I have always brought out the best in the students, therefore I will teach them about religion and spiritual belief. All of these subjects are part of our curriculum. Once a student asked me, 'Teacher, you are a Falun Gong practitioner. Will you kill anybody?' I replied, 'No, I will never kill anyone. Do not listen to any lies about Falun Gong. A good person will never kill anyone.' There is nothing wrong with giving my students the correct knowledge. There is nothing wrong with teaching my students to become better people!" In the end the principal did not have anything to say. Finally she told me, "From now on, you need to be more cautious. We are worried about any problems. I, too, am concerned for you." I replied, "Don't worry. I will be very rational."
Over the past few years, my work environment has changed. I teach different subjects each semester, work in a different office each semester and have been in contact with different groups of people. By clarifying the truth in detail to different people, some predestined people have already started practicing Falun Gong. Four people from my school once began to persecute Falun Gong. After I returned to work, a fellow practitioner and I found those two people and talked with them. We brought them Teacher's lectures and other Falun Gong materials. Finally the two of them returned to Falun Gong. Because we keep encouraging each other and try to do well the three things that practitioners should do, four people started reading Falun Gong books and two of them have become practitioners. Some of my colleagues have read the Falun Gong books and one of them told me that she would start practicing Falun Gong after she retires in a year. All of them help promote Falun Gong and clarify the truth about Falun Gong in different ways. They often clarify the truth to our supervisors and colleagues when the opportunity arises. Some of my colleagues enjoy reading Falun Gong truth-clarification materials and have strong righteous thoughts.
Beginning with this semester, I will be teaching classes again at school. I know I have an important mission. After all, there are so many children waiting to be saved. I must be diligent in my cultivation practice and cultivate myself solidly.
For the past few years, I have been conducting myself at work according to Falun Gong's cultivation principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance at all times. I try to do the three things well. I will not miss any opportunity to clarify the truth, even at basketball games, school celebration parties and other types of activities, such as class reunions and school dinner parties. I use these opportunities to clarify the truth and bring them the beauty of Falun Gong. At work I am often showered with praise. "Since you started practicing Falun Gong, you have changed tremendously. You are healthy and cheerful. You do your job well. You have a harmonious family. I will start practicing Falun Gong, too." "You truly keep peace of mind. You do not fight over anything. I truly envy you." The Education Committee supervisor once said, "Your supervisor is very pleased with your work. I told him, 'You are perfect, except that you practice Falun Gong.'" I replied, "If it had not been Falun Gong, I would not be so perfect. It is Falun Gong that makes me a good employee."
During my cultivation practice, I truly feel the importance of studying the Fa well. Everything comes from the Fa. Sometimes when I fail to clarify the truth clearly, it is because I have not had a clear understanding of the Fa. When I study the Fa with a peaceful mind, I will understand everything. When I upgrade my xinxing, I will be able to help everyday people understand and accept the truth about Falun Gong. Only when we assimilate to the Fa will we be able to do the Three Things well.
