(Clearwisdom.net) One year I was sent to a forced labor camp because of a financial problem. While there I met a Falun Gong practitioner named Jin. I spent a lot of time with him afterward and was often touched by his superb spirit of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. The following really happened.
In the morning on July 20, 2000, a guard told me that I needed to carefully watch out for Falun Gong practitioners there because it was the first anniversary of the day the persecution started. I was very cautious that day, as if anything might happen at anytime. However, by noon, there had been no incidents.
In the afternoon, I wandered around and saw Jin. Seeing there wasn't anyone else around, I asked him whether he knew what day it was. He looked confused and did not know what I meant. I told him it was July 20. I also warned him that the guards were ready to keep practitioners from taking any action.
He suddenly realized it was an important day and said, "It is not too late. I can't waste the day." He picked up a brush and wrote on a piece of paper, "Falun Dafa is good! Practicing Falun Dafa is not illegal!"
I was very worried about him. I regretted saying anything about it, as it was not my intention to stir him up. I knew he was not afraid to stand up for his practice. I spent the entire afternoon feeling anxious.
When it was dinnertime, a dozen collaborators were eating with us in the courtyard. I saw him walk out with the piece of paper he had prepared and yell, "Please listen to me while you eat!"
Many people surrounded him. He held up the piece of paper he had written on. Some people saw it and immediately said, "Falun Gong is good! Truth-Compassion-Forbearance is good!"
Jin raised his voice and said, "Today is July 20th. It's been a year since Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution against Falun Gong. All of you know that Falun Gong is blameless. Mr. Li Hongzhi taught us a way to improve our moral level and our health so that we can better contribute to the country and society. Why suppress such a good practice?"
While he was talking, I was called to the captain's office. The captain told me a few things and sent me out. I told Jin to stop talking because the captain wanted to see him. Everyone in the courtyard became nervous.
I took him to the captain. On our way there, I saw from everyone's face that they were scared simply by guessing what was going to happen to Jin. I was nervous and filled with guilt. I glanced at Jin--his face was calm and determined. He was chanting something. I later learned that he was reciting poems from Hong Yin.
When we got to the office, four guards were playing chess. Several minutes later they were done and were joking with one another. One of them turned around and said to Jin, "Why didn't you take a break after a full day's work instead of promoting Falun Gong? Just stop when the government tells you to." Jin replied, "Because everyone would benefit greatly by practicing it. It's a belief and is protected by the Constitution. It's a precious thing that Falun Gong is taught to us. Captain, you are lucky, too, and you should practice."
The four of them became very happy after hearing what he had to say. One of them said, "I deal with you Falun Gong practitioners and I know you are all kind and good people. But I still wear this uniform and get paid to do my job (meaning he had to do his job and persecute Falun Gong to survive)."
Jin told him, "It's fine to do what you do as long as you know right from wrong and side with what is right. You should not blindly follow orders from the top. Persecuting Falun Gong is a wicked thing that no one should do. Evil can never prevail over good. One day Falun Gong will be redressed. What do you think will happen to those who once tortured practitioners?"
The guards were silent. Later one of them said, "Mr. Li Hongzhi is indeed marvelous. His students can speak well and even persuade me. Why don't you teach those people outside? When they are released, it will make our jobs a lot easier." They then left.
There were still many people outside waiting to see what horrible thing would happen. They could not believe their eyes when we walked out like nothing happened. One of them said, "Falun Gong is tough. If it was me, they would have torn me to pieces." Another one responded, "They practice Truth-Compassion-Forbearance and do only good things. They have gods from heaven protecting them. They also have a master to watch out for them." The first one agreed, "True. I had always wanted to learn Falun Gong. If I had done so, I wouldn't have become a thief."
Those in the courtyard split into two groups, each listening to the two other practitioners carefully explaining what Falun Gong was.
That evening I could not help but still be excited. I kept thinking about what had happened during the day and told myself, "Mighty Falun Gong Master, I definitely want to be your student and progress diligently instead of wasting my life!"
