(Minghui.org) It’s been almost one year since I was first introduced to Falun Dafa by a friend. I’m 27 years old and work as an engineer.
I used to be a materialist who didn’t believe in reincarnation, divination, supernormal powers or cultivation practice. I always took science, such as Darwin's theory of evolution, or the Big Bang theory, to explain things in nature and society. However, I also found that many things couldn’t be explained by this positivistic science. Why do some people remember their past life? Is death the end? How big is the universe? Is there life beyond that space? Why are there religions? What is the purpose of those who commit their life in the temples?
I realized that what science has been doing so far is just to study recognizable, touchable and visible phenomena, then generalize them into a truth to apply to similar situations.
After reading Zhuan Falun many times, I finally have the answers to all the questions I had before. I also understand the true meaning of human being, the standards of judgement between good and bad, right and wrong, based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, as well as the true purpose of righteous cultivation practices. Our Master has explained everything that is not explained by science, in the most common and understandable language.
Once I started to understand what cultivation is, I began to change myself from within. I used to be addicted to electronic games, and spent too much time watching movies. Sometimes I even looked at indecent websites. I also easily got angry with people when I didn't get what I wanted. Since I started practicing Falun Dafa, these attachments have gradually weakened and disappeared. I began to think more of other people, and conduct myself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance at home, at work, as well as in society. I stopped all the lies which I previously considered as harmless and natural.
I refused gifts and commissions from vendors at our company. When they thanked me for my help and offered me gifts, I politely refused and told them, “Every Falun Dafa practitioner will do as much as possible for others without expecting anything in return.” I also introduced Falun Dafa to my colleagues, my family and friends. Some of them have started to cultivate.
I developed chronic pulmonary disease in my second year of college. During every seasonal change, or after drinking too much of a cold drink, I would often cough for 3 to 4 weeks; and it lasted even longer if I didn't take medical treatment. The cough only decreased when I slept, and started again the next morning. I was extremely tired and miserable when I had the cough. It affected my work and my study, and I was so embarrassed to bother people around me. I had to take a full dose of antibiotics during every treatment episode. I couldn’t take pills because of my allergies, so they gave me injections for 2 weeks instead. Each treatment episode would cost me around 5 millions Vietnam dong ($220), but it only helped to get me out of that particular cycle of cough; the disease would relapse when I didn’t keep warm enough in winter. Yet after I started practicing Falun Dafa, for this past year I haven't had to touch any pills. I could even drink iced coffee in winter without any problem. It’s so pleasant to be free from disease!
My girlfriend (my wife now) also started to practice Falun Dafa six months ago. At first, she just read the book Zhuan Falun as a way to support me, then she gradually realized that this was a divine book. As a doctor, she knows that there are many diseases that cannot be cured, and there’s a very high incidence of certain illnesses. We came to understand that all of our illnesses are the result of our own karma and misdeeds. That’s why respect for virtue is a way to reduce one’s illness. My girlfriend’s ulcerative colitis disappeared without her noticing when it happened.
I also introduced Dafa to my mother and my sister. My mother had severe lower back problems and calcified lymph nodes in her neck. It was very difficult and painful for her to walk. Plus, she often hears hurtful words from my father. After practicing Falun Dafa, she’s now able to carry her neighbor's baby and do household chores. My father's hurtful words do not upset her anymore. She just smiles and takes them lightly, as her mind is very light and happy.
My younger sister also came to understand the meaning of being a human being. She has changed her mindset, and let go of many vices. She’s now doing all the household chores without being pushed or reminded. She has changed her attitude toward people she didn’t get along with before and no longer treats them with hatred. Thanks to Dafa, my family has become very peaceful and harmonious.
One of my aunts began practicing Falun Dafa six months ago after I introduced the practice to her. She also had ulcerative colitis and often had to take medication. Not long after taking up the practice, she had diarrhea for several days, then she found out that the disease had gotten much better. She understood that Master was purifying her body. One day, she slipped in the bathroom. The bathroom was narrow, and the sink took up nearly half of its width. She was right in the middle of the bathroom, and accidentally slipped backwards, but the strange thing was that in her fall she somehow missed the sink. When she told me about this, I just smiled and told her to thank our Master.
One of my cousins had a bad cough for many days. She took a lot of medications but the cough didn’t get better. I told her to sincerely recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” The next day, she happily told me that the cough had greatly reduced and thanked me. I said, “I didn’t do anything. You should instead thank Master.” She then asked me more about the practice and said that she would read Zhuan Falun.
One day, my wife and I rode our motorbike to the countryside for a friend’s wedding. On the way back, it was very dark and there was a light rain. As we were driving along a narrow road, a car coming from the opposite direction suddenly sped up to pass a truck. Because of the narrow road, this car encroached on our side. Moreover, the car’s headlights were too bright so that I couldn’t see the road clearly. I had no choice but hit the brakes hard and fast. At that moment, the car behind us crashed into our motorbike. I was thrown up in the air, then fell down right on the seat of our motorbike. I turned back to check if my wife was okay. She was a little bit less fortunate, she'd fallen onto the road and had some bruises and scratches on her left leg, but nothing serious. None of the cars stopped. When I checked myself, I found not a scratch.
We were very fortunate. If it had happened a little bit earlier or later, we could have crashed into a roadside column.
Just as Master said:
“Debts have to be settled. So on your cultivation path some dangerous things might happen. But when these things happen you won’t be scared, and we won’t let you get into real danger.” (Zhuan Falun)
We didn’t have any resentment toward the driver who hit our motorbike. After checking the motorbike, we restarted the engine, and luckily it still worked; otherwise we would have had a very long walk home. I would like to thank Master for protecting us in this accident.
Cultivation has become a part of my life. Thanks to cultivation, I feel that life has become more meaningful. I’ve gradually eliminated selfishness and gotten rid of attachments. I also pay attention to small actions. People often leave trash bags on the roadside or at the crossroads. I usually try to find a garbage truck or a trash can to throw the trash into, though sometimes I have to walk a long way. I've also stopped talking about improper things that young people like to talk about. I avoid as much as possible talking about subjects such as romance, and affection between men and women.
Previously, if I was angry at someone, I didn’t want to see them or talk to them. At present, my heart is full of compassion, and I always try to look at the other's good points. I no longer have resentment towards anybody. I really don’t mind when they make trouble for me or belittle what I’m doing, or even when they humiliate me. This is something that I could never have handled if I didn’t practice Falun Dafa. At work, I always try my best to accomplish the tasks that I’m assigned. If my colleagues need my help after regular work hours to repair the machines, I am happy to stay for a while to give them a hand, though it means I'll have to take the bus and walk a long way home after that.
Before the Lunar New Year, our landlord suddenly announced to us that he was going to sell the house. We had only two days to move out because the new owner wanted to have the house repainted before the New Year. He apologized for his late announcement and offered us some money to move out. I told him not to worry, and that we would move out without getting any compensation. Fortunately, the tenants of the house opposite of where we were staying had just finished their rental contract and had prepared to move. Although we were both very tired after a long workday, my wife and I were able to clean the new house and move all our belongings there within two evenings.
Through my positive actions and attitude, many colleagues and neighbors have learned about the practice and now support Falun Dafa. Currently, along with other fellow practitioners, my wife and I are making paper lotus flowers with Dafa messages on the attached label, to give to people in the hopes that more will come to know the truth about Falun Dafa.