(Clearwisdom.net) I came to Hangzhou City in 2006 from Northwestern China after I graduated from a university. A friend of mine in Hangzhou City (non-practitioner) told me more than once about the situation in Hangzhou, and how widely the electronic surveillance systems are installed, how alert the local residents are, and how old retired men and women like to be involved in other people's business. The friend advised me that you will be reported to the police if you are seen distributing truth-clarifying materials. People in Hangzhou use one-yuan coins mostly, not bills, so you cannot write truth-clarifying slogans on one-yuan bills as is commonly done in Xi'an City. Most of the people in Southern China are timid and only interested in money, and will not be interested in hearing the truth about Falun Dafa. In short, one should not use the same methods used in Xi'an to clarify the truth in Hangzhou, as it would be too risky.
Hangzhou is a very beautiful city. The Yue Fei Temple built during the Southern Song Dynasty still exists, and has many visitors every day. The ruins of Fengbo Pavilion is also open to the public. This is where Yue Fei and his sons were killed. In history, Buddha culture has left behind many historical sites in Hangzhou, which is why it was also called "the Southeast Buddha County" in the past. However, through 60 years of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) brainwashing, most people here are overly "realistic" and are just interested in money. At the beginning, I didn't know how to begin clarifying the truth about Falun Gong. Electronic surveillance systems are installed on all major streets and wealthy residential communities. It is also hard to understand the Hangzhou dialect. Since I stay in another person's house, I cannot prepare truth-clarifying materials. My cultivation environment is totally different than before, and for a period of time, I didn't know what to do. Through studying the Fa, I realized that I should not just wait for opportunities. I should actively create opportunities.
After a period of observation and adaptation, I began sending some phone numbers and emails that I have collected to the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. I often bring some truth-clarifying materials with me, even when I travel on business. After gradually becoming familiar with colleagues and people, I guided them in learning the facts. For those who are older than me or are in a higher social position, after I get to know them, I ask their advice from the angle of a third party, such as "My good friend's father practices Falun Gong and has gained mental and physical health. However after the persecution of Falun Gong began and because he firmly refused to write the "guarantee statement" promising to quit the practice, he was sent to a forced labor camp and suffered a lot. Now his family cannot tolerate his being persecuted and is trying to file a lawsuit against the authorities. However, several lawyers they contacted were afraid to take the case. What's your advice on this?" I used such a story to edify their conscience and kindness. At the same time, I told them the facts about the Zhongnanhai peaceful appeal on "April 25," 1999 and the Tiananmen "Self-Immolation." During the conversation, I try to also weave in some other facts of interest. Finally, I naturally talk about the movement of "Quitting the CCP." Although some may express hesitation in quitting the CCP or feel it is unrealistic to resort to legal procedures, basically all express sympathy to the miserable experience of the character in my story. To those who are younger than me or the same age, I clarify the truth through stories. They have all willingly accepted it. It is very rare to meet someone who doesn't want to listen or refuses to listen.
Based on different types of people, different situations and time limitations, there are many ways to clarify the truth, which fellow practitioners have shared on the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. Take my situation as an example. I have a key to my company. I take the chance to download truth-clarifying materials and print them out when there is no one around. To distribute the materials to people in residential communities, I select those communities that were built before 2003 and are further from where I live, and I go there to observe beforehand. These residential communities usually do not have any surveillance systems installed. Moreover, people's mailboxes are usually located outside of the building entrance, which is very convenient for distributing the truth-clarifying materials. I usually do not put the materials into the unlocked mailboxes because the owners of the mailboxes may not subscribe to any newspapers and cleaning people may throw the materials away. I also choose the proper time period to distribute the materials when there are less people around in the communities. I do it at night in winter and at noon in summer. Bad weather is also a good opportunity to distribute the materials. A few days ago on a rainy night, I wore a raincoat and rode my bicycle to a community where I had observed before. I distributed 100 copies of materials in thirty minutes and came back safely. I kept sending forth righteous thoughts, before, during and after my action, and kept a harmonious and auspicious mind, such that I would not even feel any panic when I suddenly ran into someone. My demeanor and my facial expression are very natural. One should be more calm and generous when facing the guards' inspections. Safety is always first. If the situation is not proper, I do not force myself to do it reluctantly, to avoid unnecessary loss. I think what we do is to validate Dafa to save more sentient beings. It is not to validate our own courage and ability.
I often take a taxi to work and the taxi drivers I meet often do not know the facts. Since the time is limited, I usually chat about the high cost of houses or gas prices, in which they are usually interested, and then quickly touch the main topic. I talk about a recent big news story from the Internet or a Taiwan colleague. I mention that the Tiananmen Self-Immolation in 2001 was staged by Jiang Zemin and the CCTV and how there are such doubtful points that an organization of the United Nations has confirmed it to be a hoax. I mention that Falun Gong is welcome all around of the world including Hong Kong and Macao. What are the reasons for Jiang Zemin to persecute Falun Gong? The CCP likes to talk well but doesn't do real things for the common people. The Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party is so popular that more than 20 million people have quit the CCP and its associated organizations through the Internet. If the current CCP was a house, one brick today and a roof tile tomorrow have been removed repeatedly, and its destruction is approaching. I discuss the news just like an everyday person chatting about something, which helps them realize, "Oh, that is what really happened..." I speak very gently, and at a level that common people who suffered 60 years of brainwashing can bear. It is best not to make them feel that the speaker's thoughts are dangerous such that they become scared and resistant. While clarifying the facts, except for extremely good persons, I usually talk about things from the angle of a third party. If there is more time, I mention some other facts that may be of interest. Such effort often has a better effect in clarifying the facts. It also helps to safeguard ourselves.
I also help to promote anti-web-blocking software. I had a chance to assist some government branches in Zhejiang Province. When I became familiar with the people with whom I worked, I often chatted with them about the news I learned from the dynamic web sites. Before I left, I would find opportunities to introduce the dynamic web sites to them. These people usually know of the CCP's corruption more than other people, and are more interested in this kind of news. One time I went to a bureau at a local government branch. When I first mentioned the subject, others immediately took over and told me that most of the people in the bureau were reading the news through anti-web-blocking software. If I did not have opportunity to talk about this subject, I would collect their emails and send them to overseas fellow practitioners, and ask them to send truth-clarifying materials.
Everyone has a different environment and condition. Every local fellow practitioner needs to think of how to effectively save more people in Hangzhou City and in Zhejiang Province with wisdom, and how to help more fellow practitioners to step forward. Young fellow practitioners usually have more advantages and less interference. I thought about writing this article when I saw the call for papers for "The Third Mainland China Falun Dafa Practitioners Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference on the Internet. However I started to write it one month ago and encountered much interference. I finally finished the article today. Calmly studying the Fa is the only way to eliminate the interference and keep strong righteous thoughts. Just like Master said,
"The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts." ("Drive Out Interference" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)
The above are my personal experiences. Please point out anything improper. Although I do not know any fellow practitioners in Hangzhou, I know you are all with me. We and all Dafa practitioners in the world are an indestructible one body. In ordinary life, we are just quietly doing what is the most glorious matter in the history of the universe. Hopefully we all do well the three things with wisdom and clearheadedness. Someday when we see our mighty Master, our tears will be of joy and not out of regret.
"Opportunity knocks but once. Once the illusion that you cannot let go of disappears, you will realize what you have lost." ("Practicing Cultivation After Retirement" in Essentials for Further Advancement)