(Minghui.org) I'm a government official and work in municipal government. I started to practice Falun Dafa in 1997. Since then, I have followed the path of cultivation. No matter how difficult it is, I've never given up. The first time I clarified the truth about Falun Dafa was at a brainwashing session run by the communist regime.
After the persecution started in July 1999, the regime crazily slandered Master and Dafa. Many practitioners were detained in brainwashing centers, as officials attempted to make them renounce their faith.
After Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, realized that Falun Dafa could not be eliminated in three months as he had expected, he launched a nationwide campaign to have all communist officials at all levels participate in the persecution.
In my city, government units at the district level and above were targeted for the first round of this campaign. All civil servants in my workplace had to undergo a 15-day brainwashing session. My supervisor came to talk to me and told me to have the “correct” attitude for the sake of my future, my family and my job.
I told him, “I will not renounce my cultivation.”
On the first day of the brainwashing session, all major leaders of the disciplinary inspection, justice and police departments came and sat in the front rows. The local TV station was present, and the cameras were recording. A few people who took the floor before me all followed the regime's tone of slandering Falun Dafa.
When it was my turn, I asked Master in my mind to strengthen me, so that I could take this opportunity to let people know my true experiences and the wonderfulness of Dafa.
I stood on the stage, with everybody watching me. The room was very quiet, as if they were all waiting for me to tell them what Falun Dafa is all about. I started by saying that my initial reason for practicing Falun Dafa was to keep fit, and there was no political agenda. After practicing for a while, all of my illnesses were gone. I no longer suffered from the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar), and I was no longer overweight.
More importantly, I found the true meaning of life and gotten rid of many bad habits. For example, before cultivation, I had been addicted to alcohol and playing cards. I'd often get drunk or play cards all night without going home. Now, I have dropped those addictions.
Previously whenever I went to inspect factories, mines or the countryside, I'd take the opportunity to bring back many souvenirs. Now I reject such “gifts.”
Once an enterprise invited us to a celebration. In addition to food and drinks, they also arranged some ladies to do “massage” for us. I refused on the spot. Under the influence of my righteous thoughts, the others in my group were not dragged into it either. When my colleague later told my wife about this, she smiled and said, “That's because he practices Falun Dafa. Dafa practitioners are very righteous!”
I continued to tell the audience that I used to be an introverted person. Prior to cultivation, if someone had offended me, I'd hate him my whole life.
Once, my high school roommate could not find his money, so he accused me of stealing it. I hated him so much that even when he found the money later and apologized to me, I refused to talk to him. Years later, when I heard that he was sick and was unable to work, I was delighted and said, “This is retribution.”
After I studied Falun Dafa's teachings, I knew I'd been wrong. I called him right away to comfort him. He was so happy that he came to my office and hugged me.
Nowadays, most people only care about themselves. Whoever stands in the way of one's career is in for big revenge. In October 1983, when I worked in the district office, the county's HR department notified the district that I'd been promoted to be the county's deputy bureau chief. My colleagues and friends came to congratulate me.
However, a month later, it turned out that another person in the district office got the position instead of me. An insider told me that the district director went to the county and asked them to replace me with the other person.
My hatred toward this director was beyond words. I swore that I'd never speak to him again. Later on, I became his superior and often showed off intentionally in front of him.
After I began practicing Falun Dafa, I realized that I had been wrong. Master has taught us that cultivators should have no enemies. I approached the director and apologized to him. He was moved to tears.
When I finished my speech at the brainwashing center, the audience burst into applause.
I then proceeded to tell them that after I began practicing Falun Dafa, I strictly followed Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in my daily life. I took fame and fortune lightly, tried my best to be kind to others, and always looked inward amid conflicts. Thus, my performance at work was excellent, and I was trusted by my superiors and respected by my subordinates.
This is what a genuine Falun Dafa practitioner is like. All Falun Dafa practitioners are good people.
When I finished, the audience burst into applause again. I knew this was an encouragement to me. I was very moved.
I hadn't planned what I would say ahead of time. I just spoke from the heart—and the audience listened with their hearts.
I'm still very excited when I recall this experience, as that was the first time I clarified the truth about Falun Dafa to others. As long as we let go of human thoughts and self, and assist Master in Fa-rectification, the evil dares not persecute us. Master will not allow it. Since then, nobody has attempted to “transform” me.
I hope my experience can be a reference to fellow practitioners who work in the government. Please point out anything inappropriate.
