(Minghui.org) As a boss in charge of construction, I used to accept bribes, which are called “favor fees.” After I began practicing Falun Gong in 1995, I decided to follow what Master told us and to be a good person. I returned this illicit money, a total of 400,000 yuan. If I couldn't find the person who gave me the money, I would donate it to seniors’ homes or schools.

Because society is on such a moral downslide, some people could not understand me and said, “Everyone thinks that you've become naive after practicing Falun Gong because you returned all that money.” I said, “I want to be an honest person. The only money I want is what I've earned through my hard work.”

Even today, I'm often asked if I regret returning the money. I tell them, “I have no regrets at all. Because I practice Falun Gong, I've recovered completely from the diseases I had for years, such as a fungal infection, arthritis, and a kidney tumor. I haven't taken any medicine for years. If I hadn't practiced Falun Gong, even if I had spent millions of yuan I still wouldn't be healthy.”

When workers from other companies wonder why the prices of our houses are so much lower, someone would explain that the construction manager was a Falun Gong practitioner.

Lawyer Returns “Favor Fee”

By a practitioner in Heilongjiang Province, China

I'm a lawyer and I accepted a civil case many years ago. To make sure I did a good job on his case, my client Mr. Wang gave me about 200 yuan in bribes, or “favor fees.”

After I started to practice Falun Gong in 1998, I have strictly followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as my guide and place other people's interests first. Now, I never betray my conscience and ask for more money from clients. In most cases, what I'm paid only covers my out-of-pocket expenses.

One day I happened to see my old client, Mr. Wang, and I returned his money. He was very surprised and said, “I never told anyone about it, so just keep it.” I said, “I know, but I feel guilty about what I did.” I only regret that I didn't tell him the reason I returned the money was because I started to practice Falun Gong.

I would like to express my gratitude to Master. I'm so glad I now understand how to be a lawyer with a good conscience. The world is so full of temptations, and I'm not sure how far I would have degenerated if it weren't for Falun Gong.