(Minghui.org) Every year, to mark festive occasions such as World Falun Dafa Day, the Chinese New Year, the Mid-autumn festival, and so on, practitioners around the world send Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, greeting cards, and messages through the Minghui website to express their gratitude for his compassionate salvation.
I feel fortunate to be able to help other practitioners and their family members—as well as those supporters who’ve realized the beauty of the practice—make greeting cards and help send them to Minghui. I’m very touched by these cards. I see in them profound respect and gratitude and precious memories.
As World Falun Dafa Day May 13, 2021, approaches, I would like to share some of the wonderful stories associated with these greeting cards. I hope, as fellow practitioners, we can cherish this opportunity that is hard to come by. I will try my best to help people send more greetings, thank our esteemed Master, and celebrate the 29th anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa.
I got into the habit of creating cards to send greetings to Master on behalf of my entire family, the practitioners in my Fa study group, those in my local area, and those who were imprisoned.
I later thought about the fact that every person is unique and has different understandings and feelings. My words cannot represent their thoughts. It’s fine to do this once or twice, but I realized that, for so many years, I was not giving them a chance. After sharing my thoughts, my wife wrote a greeting on behalf of two extended families. So did my sister-in-law. My mother, who is in her 70s, wrote a greeting herself. She signed it, “I bow to Master.”
I sometimes used the word “bow or kowtow” in my messages to avoid using “best wishes” repeatedly. I realized I was exaggerating and simply saying things where there was no intent. This is a form of Communist Party culture. That prompted me to remind practitioners not to use the term “kowtow” in their greeting if they did not intend to do so. I suggested to my mother that she change her message to “best wishes” instead. She replied, “No, I will kowtow to Master.” We asked if she was sure. Her health had improved after practicing Dafa but she still couldn’t kneel. With the help of my wife and sister-in-law, she knelt down and bowed three times in front of Master’s portrait, saying, “Thank you, Master.” She couldn’t stand up by herself afterwards and we had to lift her up. We were moved by her sincerity.
An elderly practitioner in our Fa study group is usually very proactive in doing the three things but is not good at writing. I urged her to write a greeting message several times but she didn’t. She asked if we could help her again. We encouraged her and she said, “I want to but I don’t know what to say.” We said, “Ask Master for help!” She offered incense and kowtowed to Master at once. Then she said, “Ok! Now I know what to write.” She took a pen and began to write. It was quite good.
One elderly practitioner lives on the west side of Beijing. I went to her house and said, “Master’s birthday is coming. I’m here to help you make a greeting card.” She was as excited as a child, and said, “I’ve been thinking about this for several days and you came. Thank you, Master! What should I write?” She scrambled to look for paper and pen. I was touched by her sincere respect. I said, “You don’t have to look for anything. I have what’s needed.” She calmed down and pondered for a while before writing her thoughts down neatly: “I am excited on the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day. I wish Master, whom I think of day and night, Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy good health! Thank you, Master!” I was moved to tears by her words, “thinking of you day and night.”
She took me to another practitioner in her area. She’d taken up the practice before the persecution began but stopped for a few years due to the suppression. She recently started to practice again. She was exuberant but did not quite know what to say. I took out a pen and paper and asked her to write. She said, “I have pen and paper. I’ll use mine instead.” I answered, “That’s wonderful! Pen and paper are living beings, too. What an honor it is for them that a practitioner uses them to write greetings to Master! One day it may become a living being in your heavenly world!” She agreed.
There is a Fa study group that has been held every night all these years without any interruptions. In the past, I would help practitioners in the group make greeting cards. Later, everyone wrote their own. It was usually just one or two sentences. However, one year, practitioner Zeng wrote a poem. I didn’t think he could write poems!
His son benefited from Dafa and encouraged his father to practice. When he asked his son to express his gratitude to Master, the son wrote the following: “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Master, for always giving to this world.” The son also got a friend who had quit the Party to write a greeting: “May 13 is the birthday of Teacher Li, a kind person who is known all around the world. I sincerely wish Teacher Li Happy Birthday! My heart contains Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
I’ve been persecuted many times—detained, incarcerated in forced labor camps, and imprisoned. I’ve been destitute and homeless. I can understand how much practitioners’ families have sacrificed. They accompanied us along the way as we endured tribulations and persecution. It’s been hard for them and we should respect what they’ve been through. We should think of them and give them a chance when it comes to sending greetings to Master.
My mother-in-law is in her 80s. Master saved her life at least three times. From being fearful and worrying about the persecution to shouting “Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!” to telling others to recite the phrases, things are getting better. In the past, we sent greetings to Master on her behalf after seeking her approval. Before this new year, my wife asked if she wanted to write a message herself. She said delightedly, “I wish Teacher Li good health! Thank you, Master! Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!” We made a beautiful card for her and she was overjoyed.
In China, most young children are taken care of by their grandparents. The grandchildren of many elderly practitioners study the Fa and practice cultivation. These are all lovely young disciples. Practitioner Cao has a granddaughter who is five. When her grandparents offer incense to Master, she runs over and kowtows to Master solemnly. This year when she was told she could send New Year's greetings to Master, she said, “I wish Master Happy New Year! Thank you, Master!”
An 11-year-old was able to attend group Fa study with his grandfather during the winter school holidays this year. He sings songs written by practitioners. He and his brother, who is two and a half, sent joint greetings to Master. He wrote every word, stroke by stroke: “Greetings, esteemed Master! We wish you a Happy Lunar New Year and hope everything goes well for you!”
The granddaughter of an elderly practitioner in Hebei Province also sent birthday greetings to Master. She also asked her parents and uncle what they did to celebrate Master’s birthday. Some said that they bought fruit, while others bought flowers or offered incense. The whole family celebrated Master’s birthday joyously. She created a greeting card for her family of seven. When it was published, it was the first card from their district. Everyone was delighted.
A practitioner who is 79 took care of her bedridden 84-year-old husband without hiring any help. Her family members and neighbors saw how amazing and extraordinary Dafa is. She wished Master a Happy New Year on behalf of her husband. Because she was illiterate, we helped her write an article for World Falun Dafa Day celebrations. Her bedridden husband wished Master Happy Birthday. He said sincerely, “Happy Birthday!” Even though his words were not clear, we could hear distinctly his grateful heart. It was remarkable!
The husband of a practitioner who lives in the mountains north of Beijing is very supportive of Dafa even though he is not a practitioner. When they stayed at their daughter’s place, he loved to watch programs on NTD-TV. He would tell friends what he heard and persuaded them to quit the CCP. Before the New Year, we installed NTD-TV in his home and he was delighted. His wife wrote a greeting to wish Master Happy New Year. He was initially worried that he would get his family into trouble if he sent the greeting in his name.
We assured him that, to ensure the safety of practitioners and their family members in China, the Minghui website removes the real names of well-wishers before publishing the greetings and it is enough to simply write the area he lives in. He pondered for a while then asked his wife to write, “Master, Happy New Year! You are the father of Dafa disciples and they love you deeply.” Although his voice was not loud, it was exceptionally calm and solemn. I was astonished and tears filled my eyes. His wife was also moved to tears. No one thought he would say that. His daughter was surprised as well and said she admired her father.
One time, when I mentioned during group Fa study about asking family members to send greetings to Master, a practitioner said, “Let me speak to my husband.” A practitioner who was familiar with her family situation shook her head and said he would not agree to it. When this practitioner went home and asked her husband, he agreed without hesitation and even said, “I have done wrong to Dafa and even beat and scolded my wife in the past. I was wrong. Please ask the Master of Dafa to forgive me.” His wife was surprised by his words. Practitioners who heard this were moved. Sometimes we might not know our loved ones’ true thoughts. We should not judge others with old notions. The Buddha Fa is boundless after all.
Another practitioner said, “I practiced Falun Dafa for 18 years and my husband beat me for 18 years.” People might have a bad impression of her husband but when she asked him if he wanted to send greetings to Master, he agreed. He said, “I hope Master Li has disciples everywhere in the world.” Falun Dafa is great, Master is compassionate, they know this clearly in their hearts. I was touched when I heard what her husband said. These words were from his divine side.
Thank you, Master, for showing compassion to every sentient being.
Two families rent a house I own. We get along like family. Since they’ve also benefited, we thought we should give them a chance to thank Dafa and show their respect to Master by sending a greeting. One young couple quit the CCP. My wife asked the wife if she would like to send a greeting to Master. Representing her family of six, she wrote, “Thank you, Master, for your blessings!” The elderly father of another tenant was admitted to the hospital. The tenant’s wife told her father-in-law to say, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” when she went to visit him. He soon returned home. The tenant’s brother wrote his greeting on behalf of his whole family, “Thank you, Master! You are always thinking of us!” We were touched by his words. It must come from his divine side.
A small greeting, an ordinary card, how precious it is for a being to have direct contact with the Master of Dafa during the rectification of the cosmos. The CCP has been persecuting Dafa for over two decades. In such circumstances, whoever dares to send a sincere greeting to Master, breaking through the cover-up orchestrated by the world’s most powerful totalitarian regime, what a magnificent thing that is! The heavenly world the person corresponds to will be rectified. A world filled with gratitude, isn’t it a beautiful world? His good wishes and greeting card should become a noble example in that world. It is evidence of the immense grace of the Creator as well as the hopes and boundless gratitude of sentient beings. Magnificent, sacred, and beautiful! As practitioners assisting Master in Fa-rectification, we should have given sentient beings more of such opportunities earlier!
A neighbor in my wife’s hometown is honest and kind. She loves to hear my wife talk about Dafa and has quit the CCP. My wife immediately thought of her when we talked about sending greetings to Master. She phoned and told her about it. She said excitedly, “Wonderful! I thank the Master of Falun Dafa on behalf of everyone in my family.” My wife asked if she was representing herself and her husband or her family of four. She thought for a while and said, “Can I represent my extended family? I want them to benefit, too.” My wife said of course. She made a count and said, “That’s 24 people including the old and young. We all wish Master Happy Birthday!” As she said those words, I felt the entire area in my wife’s hometown light up. How powerful Dafa is! A thought expressing gratitude to Master in the human world will receive such great blessings! The Buddha’s grace is infinite!
I chuckled when I heard some stories. One practitioner talked to a noodle shop owner who had already quit the CCP. When asked if he wanted to send wishes to Master, he immediately agreed, saying, “I wish Master good health! Happy Birthday, Master!” Another practitioner went to the market to buy things and asked a stall owner about sending greetings. He said sincerely, “I should offer some money to celebrate your Master’s birthday.” When the practitioner declined his offer, he happily recited his good wishes.
One day, I met practitioner Ms. Fan and told her I’d made some greeting cards. She wrote greetings. A few days later, she came to my house again and said she had been contacting other practitioners in her area. They all wrote messages and asked for help to make cards. I suggested we should not only think of practitioners but also those who support Dafa. She immediately thought of her neighbor upstairs. She said, “The family’s granddaughter is five this year. The little girl was scalded by boiling water and the doctors said they were second-degree burns. Since the child was so young, it was difficult to treat. The girl was in great pain. I told them to remember and say, ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.’ Soon the child’s face was completely recovered. They thanked me when they saw me. I said it was the Master of Dafa who saved the child and asked them to thank Master instead. The grandmother was very grateful. I will ask her about sending a greeting.” The next day, she returned with the family’s greeting, “Our entire family all know how wonderful Dafa is. We have also quit the CCP. I know it is Master of Dafa who saved my granddaughter. Our entire family thanks Master! We will support Dafa forever!”
Elderly practitioner Ms. Wu stopped practicing for several years after the persecution began. She returned to cultivation just over a year ago. When she learned that friends and family members can send greetings to Master, she went home and got everyone at home to send well wishes. They even signed the greetings with their real names. She also found time to return to the village in her hometown and got several villagers as well as their families who had quit the CCP to write greetings and make cards. When I typed out the name of the region, I truly felt a ray of light rush into the skies connecting these families. The whole area was filled with peace and beauty.
As Dafa disciples, everything we do is related to our cultivation. Creating greeting cards is also a process of cultivating ourselves. It is an opportunity arranged by Master for us to improve. As our hearts gradually expand, so do individuals and families, and the world becomes a better place.
Patience and attention to detail are required in making greeting cards. The Minghui website has asked us to read several articles. I wasted a lot of time because I was careless. Later on, thanks to hints given by Master, I realized what the problem was.
It sometimes took a long time for the cards to be sent to the Minghui website. On the surface, it appeared to be caused by a bad Internet connection. In reality it’s interference in other dimensions. Each time I posted the greeting cards, I started out by sending righteous thoughts and I asked for Master’s help. As long as we have the heart, Master makes everything possible. We cannot imagine how much Master has done for disciples and sentient beings in other dimensions. Things will work out if we follow what Master has taught us.
Other practitioners are also making progress while participating in gathering, making, and sending greeting cards. They gained a lot by working together and balancing family relationships. Elderly practitioners Mr. Su, Ms. Yang, and Mr. Jin don’t know how to use a computer. But they took the trouble to contact acquaintances and collected greeting messages from practitioners as well as non-practitioners. Their righteous thoughts and actions encouraged and influenced the practitioners around them. Elderly practitioner Mr. Xu went to several places in his district to collect greetings. He submitted dozens of greetings on every occasion and managed to find time to clarify the truth and save people. He always brought a list of those who’d quit the CCP along with the list of greetings. His actions are truly admirable.
Now, there are many new as well as young practitioners. They can operate computers skillfully and, with a little guidance, they can quickly come up with beautiful greeting cards. By comparison, elderly practitioners might have to put in more effort.
I’ve felt endless beauty and joy recalling the stories of these greeting cards! A woman who has been practicing for less than a year finished writing an article for World Falun Dafa Day in March. She wrote a greeting to Master at the same time and carefully chose a photo to go with it. She wrote, “Falun Dafa is like the sun, shining brightly on sentient beings, driving away sickness and hardship. Wishing Master Li Happy Birthday!” To date, local practitioners have already brought in 24 greetings. They have all been turned into beautiful cards and sent out. The sincere gratitude of practitioners in China, their family members, and those who realize how wonderful Dafa is will be shown to the world through the Minghui website.
The persecution will end soon. But before it ends, in such moments, the good wishes from practitioners, their families, and supporters of Dafa are unparalleled in value! I hope we can treasure this opportunity and pass on more and more beauty to this world. Let righteous elements fill the cosmos and awaken the conscience of even more people so that they will choose to abandon the evil Party. Gather together all kind forces in the world and end this persecution that shouldn’t have happened as soon as possible!
Thank you, Master, once again! I wish all Dafa disciples in the world and kindhearted people “Happy Falun Dafa Day!”