Clarifying the Truth with Lotus Flowers

(Minghui.org) I am a Western practitioner in the U.S. and I have been cultivating Falun Dafa for four years. Words cannot express my gratitude to benevolent Master Li (Falun Dafa’s founder). From the beginning, I have known that time is short and that I must hurry to catch up and help save sentient beings.

The situation is ever-changing, and very rapidly so. I have sometimes not done well and have been distracted by the things taking place in the U.S. I’ve had to remind myself that everything is in Master’s hands and I am not here to change history. My understanding is that the evil that has been controlling things for so long is now being exposed for all to see, giving sentient beings a chance to stand with either good or evil.

I also remind myself that before coming here, I must have known what the Last Havoc would look like, and knew that it would not be easy. I therefore must remember why I’m here and not get distracted or side-tracked from my purpose.

Master said:

“Clarifying the facts and saving sentient beings are what you need to accomplish. There is nothing else for you to accomplish. There is nothing else in this world that you need to accomplish.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2015 New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XIII)

With this in mind, I wanted to share a way I’ve recently found to be effective in clarifying the truth while out in everyday society.

I first saw lotus flowers with the phrases attached being distributed by practitioners during the parade while in New York for the 2019 Fa Conference. I noticed how much people loved them, and thought, “What a great way to clarify the truth.” I thought this approach was especially good for clarifying the truth to Westerners. We tend to pay more attention to superficial things, so having something visibly beautiful to share attracts the eye of everyday people.

I had in my heart that I wanted to learn how to make lotus flowers. During the pandemic, I came across Petals of Peace, and from their website, and with the help of a couple of practitioners in the states, I learned how to make origami lotus flowers. A retired practitioner couple (who introduced me to Dafa) then joined in to help, and they have since made many lotus flowers for us to share.

One practitioner in our group also ordered lotus flowers from overseas, and we have used these, along with the paper flowers, at events where we clarify the truth. I also carried a few flowers in my purse and in my car in case I come across an opportunity to clarify the truth.

Several months ago the idea came that, rather than carry the flowers inside my purse where no one could see them, I should carry them on the outside of my purse. This one small change has made a big difference in presenting opportunities for me to clarify the truth.

Since then, I always keep at least a few flowers hanging from my purse. Every chance I get, whether I’m checking out in a store (as long as I’m not holding up the line), when a clerk helps me with something, if I have something delivered to my house, or when I talk with strangers, I point to the lotus flowers and ask if they would like one. I tell them that we make the flowers to give out at events, and then I give them a flyer to share the goodness of Dafa and tell them about the persecution.

People are so happy! Almost everyone gladly takes a flower. With big smiles on their faces, they repeatedly thank me. They make comments like, “Thank you so much. This has made my day!” or “This is exactly what I needed to hear today!” or “The world needs this message!” Some people say they want to learn more about the practice, and some want to come out to learn the exercises.

As I hand them a flower, I point out the phrases and tell them to repeat them every day. People smile and say they’ll be sure to do so. Depending on the situation, I may tell them that the phrase will bring blessings and protection, that it is a magical phrase, that it will bring good luck, or that it gives good energy to the mind and body. Then I ask them to please share the phrases and the information on Dafa and the persecution with their friends and family. Some even ask for an extra flower to give to a friend or family member.

When I was visiting family in West Virginia a couple months ago, I stopped at a convenience store in a remote area. As I was walking back to my car, I offered flowers to a mom and her five children as I passed them. They listened attentively as I clarified the truth, then they each picked out a flower—and even asked for one to take to their grandmother who was waiting in the car. As I was about to drive away, the two younger boys ran up to my car and asked for another flower, saying they wanted to give one to their teacher.

During this same visit to West Virginia, my sister-in-law (a non-practitioner) even helped clarify the truth as I gave out lotus flowers to people we encountered. She works as a mail carrier for the post office and knows many people in their town. She sees how happy people are to get a lotus flower and learn about Dafa, and tells people how practitioners are persecuted in China and how we put a lot of time and effort into making the lotus flowers to share with people.

On another trip to West Virginia, I stopped for something at a little store in Virginia. I initially drove past the store, but something told me to turn around and go back. As I walked in, several people were talking outside the entrance, and one of them greeted me. When I emerged a couple of minutes later after being unable to find what I was looking for, one of the women, who turned out to be the owner, asked if she could help me. As I chatted with them, I learned that the owner and one of the women she was talking to were dear, old friends. The two hadn’t seen each other in nearly 20 years, and the friend had just stopped by for a surprise visit as she was passing through the area with her grown children.

Before I left, I offered everyone a lotus flower. The owner said, “You don’t know how much I needed to hear this today.” Her friend told me, “I think I was meant to be here today. I was supposed to hear this from you.” I smiled and agreed. It was her knowing side that recognized her good fortune. Thanks to Master for his pre-arrangement.

When I ask someone if they would like a flower, I try not to hold any notions about who they are or which person may or may not want one. All sentient beings are waiting to be saved.

Two days ago, while I was waiting for take-out, I offered a lotus flower to the young man who helped me. He happily chose one, and as I was clarifying the truth with a Dafa flyer, his young Asian co-worker walked over to listen. They both commented on how good Dafa’s principles are, and the second young man also chose a lotus flower. He said, “I know exactly where I’m going to hang it—on the mirror in my car!” As we were leaving, we saw him reading the flyer as he walked to his car with the flower.

My husband (a non-practitioner) always gives a surprised smile when he hears that even young men in their teens and twenties seem so happy to get a lotus flower. I tell him it’s because they recognize the goodness of Dafa.

When some people see the flowers hanging from my purse, they even walk over to ask me about them. The flower’s beauty attracts everyday people’s attention, and their knowing sides draw them over to learn about Falun Dafa. Even if they don’t walk over, or I don’t get a chance to give one to everyone I encounter, many people look intently at the flowers as I walk by.

From my experience, offering a beautiful lotus flower with Dafa’s message of hope provides me with an opportunity to approach people that I might not otherwise have. The lotus flower acts as an icebreaker, and provides a segue for clarifying the truth.

Whatever methods we use, may we all be encouraged to keep doing our best to help save sentient beings.

People are waiting.