(Minghui.org) A 68-year-old Beijing resident was arrested at home on May 19, 2023 after a surveillance camera recorded him distributing informational materials exposing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong, a mind-body practice also known as Falun Dafa. Mr. Jiang Shiliang is currently held in the Fengtai District Detention Center.

Mr. Jiang was born in Qingan Town, Suining County, Jiangsu Province. He contracted encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue) at age two and suffered complications for the next several decades. His head shook uncontrollably and his hands were too weak to hold even a rice bowl. He also had an intellectual disability and could not take care of himself.

He followed his older sister to Beijing in 1977 when she landed a new job there. He was 22 at the time, but still needed his sister to help with his daily activities, including bathing. 

His brother-in-law started practicing Falun Gong in the 1990s and brought him to a group exercise site one day in 1996. Mr. Jiang started learning the Falun Gong exercises that day. The uncontrollable shaking of his hands stopped two weeks into his practice. His crossed eyes also returned to normal. 

Mr. Jiang said he could feel strong energy while doing the Falun Gong exercises. He also saw colorful Faluns spinning from time to time. He had almost no education, but he was able to read Zhuan Falun, the main teachings of Falun Gong. He said that every character in the book bore the image of Buddhas.

These miraculous experiences strengthened Mr. Jiang’s faith in Falun Gong. He persisted even when he felt a lot of pain in his legs during meditation.

Mr. Jiang also learned to look within when conflicts arose. He became calm and healthy. Within about one year of his beginning to practice Falun Gong, he was able to take care of himself without any assistance.

After the communist regime launched a nationwide campaign against Falun Gong on July 20, 1999, Mr. Jiang went to the State Council’s Appeals Office to appeal for the right to practice his faith. Many other practitioners were there too. Since the Appeals Office was locked, they all sat outside quietly. 

The police arrested them and bused them to Fengtai Stadium. One officer intended to beat Mr. Jiang but was stopped by other practitioners. He was released later that night.