(Minghui.org) After reading the recent article on Minghui, “Practitioners in China, Please Do Not Participate in Overseas Phone Calling Projects,” practitioners in my area also discussed some similar projects they have been involved with. I would also like to share my thoughts.
1. Safety Risks
Involvement of Practitioners Outside of China
We have a project here which is similar to those mentioned in the article. In this project, the practitioners in China make truth-clarification phone calls to the Chinese public by connecting to an overseas portal. Because the tools use different methods in overcoming the Internet blockade and hiding IP addresses, the coordinator considered it different from the problematic project mentioned above. The coordinator took ownership of the project and considered it something developed in China, but with some assistance from practitioners outside of China.
In reality, this project requires a certain level of interaction between practitioners in China and outside of China, including phone calls and information exchange, such as the name list of people who agreed to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). When they had direct conversations with each other on a regular basis, it can be considered as close collaboration, not only just “some assistance.”
In addition, practitioners outside of China were also involved in evaluating the skills of those in China of persuading others to quit the CCP. Only those who passed the evaluation would be given access to the platform. In that case, the practitioners in China have literally participated in the overseas phone calling project. This cannot be considered an independent project inside China since it cannot operate without overseas support.
Online Chat Tool
While the coordinator used different communication software which wasn’t listed in the above-mentioned article, it was essentially the same thing when they used other online communication tools to connect.
My understanding is that Minghui has clearly opposed online chatting by practitioners in China in any form, whether between individuals or chat groups. There are also numerous experience-sharing articles of this kind such as “Paying Attention to Security and Safety Is Essential.” Practitioners in the technical forum have stated, “If the online chat group is exposed, or if there are spies in it, it will be very easy for the CCP to obtain sensitive information and communication among practitioners. In this way, the safety of everyone on the entire platform will be at risk. Therefore, please do not use third-party chat software to exchange experiences, study Dafa teachings, or communicate with each other.”
Even for the software tool used in my area, there have been numerous discussions. Here are some suggestions we received:
“This software is for ordinary people, and its security is unknown. It is not recommended that practitioners use any communication software to communicate with each other. We have seen many examples of accidents in Minghui with Telegram groups before. To communicate with practitioners, it is only recommended to meet face-to-face without a mobile phone, or to use the mailbox on the Minghui site with encryption.”
“Communications with end-to-end encryption isn’t as secure as one thinks. In 2016, Reuters and many media reported that Iranian hackers obtained the phone numbers of 15 million Telegram users and hacked into the Telegram accounts of more than a dozen users. There are approximately 20 million Telegram users in Iran. Researchers say that when users want to log into Telegram from a new phone, the phone company sends them an authorization code via SMS that can be intercepted by the phone company and shared with hackers. With these codes, hackers can add new devices to a person’s Telegram account, allowing them to read chats and listen for new messages. Researchers say Telegram’s reliance on SMS verification makes it vulnerable in any country where mobile communications companies are government-owned or heavily influenced by the government.”
“Group chat does not have an end-to-end service on any version of Telegram. That is to say, if the chat information in the Telegram group is not end-to-end encrypted, all group chat records will be stored on the server in an unencrypted form.”
“In addition, if Telegram is not updated in a timely manner, there are many serious security vulnerabilities. For example, the latest vulnerability in 2021 is that even if end-to-end encryption is enabled, copies of media files will be left on the device. The vulnerability in late 2020 allowed hackers to obtain address books, chat history, and chat videos.”
Ego and Excuses
Sometimes one may find all kinds of excuses to ignore warnings about the security risks of using online communication tools, such as that it has nothing to do with me, my tools are different, or our situation is unique. As a result, he or she is unable to admit the problems directly and refuses to listen to advice from Minghui or other technical forums, even after the issues were directly addressed by Master Li (founder of Falun Dafa). Because of ego and self-righteousness, one may be too stubborn to change or make corrections.
Master said:
“A cultivating human being is not a cultivating god, and everyone makes mistakes in the cultivation process; the key is how you deal with them. Some people are able to recognize them and some aren’t, and then there are people who don’t want to recognize them because of their attachment of fear and some other factors.” (“My Version of a “Stick Wake-Up”,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III)
Master also said:
“If you don’t admit it when you’re wrong, and act like you’re not wrong in order to have people think that you’re not wrong, then no one will respect you, because that’s an everyday person’s approach.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the Metropolitan New York Fa Conference,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World, Volume III)
We hope that practitioners involved in the project will face this issue and make corrections instead of ignoring it. It has the problems of large-scale coordination, forming online groups, making online calls, chatting online, or even studying Dafa principles online, all of which were opposed by Minghui or the technical experts. How can there be no safety issues?
2. Following Minghui’s Direction on Major Topics
Although this above-mentioned article was experience-sharing, there are several aspects indicating Minghui’s position on this: 1) The tile of “Practitioners in China, Please Do Not Participate in Overseas Phone Calling Projects” is very clear. 2) some text was highlighted in red, reminding the readers of its seriousness. 3) Minghui.org has only published articles calling to stop the projects, but nothing that supports them.
From these we can clearly see Minghui’s position. When encountering something, if we do nothing until the Minghui Editorial Board bans it or Master says something to stop it, it may be too late. By then, the interference, the losses, and the regret might be too much. It is better for us to act early and prevent these unfavorable issues. The reality is, if someone is unwilling to change, even if the Minghui Editorial Board publishes something or Master says something, that person may continue to find excuses and make mistakes.
3. Issues of Xinxing Improvement
Stepping up to clarify the truth is a process of overcoming oneself and remaining determined in our faith in Master as well as Dafa. It is also a process of strengthening righteous thoughts and improving oneself. Some practitioners said going out to clarify the truth and distribute materials could lead to one’s arrest. This “project” could prevent these problems by allowing the practitioners with fear or attachments to clarify the truth comfortably without stepping out of their home. Just like what was written in the article, it “accommodated the attachment of fear from some practitioners in China on face-to-face truth-clarification or distributing materials.” While relying on this “project,” these practitioners are nurturing their attachments and losing opportunities of saving people around them.
Master said:
“You are saving people no matter what approach you use to clarify the facts, but don’t rely on just one method. And if you really don’t dare to clarify the facts in person, that is fear at work, and problems like these are going to come about. What should you do? I don’t think I need to say much. After I read the question you already knew what to do. Try to do better.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the New York Fa Conference Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Dafa’s Spreading,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XIV)
Some practitioners who used to clarify the truth face-to-face also joined this project. Especially some elderly practitioners with little basic knowledge of computer or cell phones rely on assistance from others while putting forth lots of energy and time on the operation of these projects. This has some negative effects on conventional ways of truth-clarification in mainland China while consuming overseas resources. It is true that practitioners outside of China may need such methods to reach people in China, but for those of us who are still inside China, why do we have to take such a detour? It is fear that is blocking us from going out.
Many participants in this project are spending long hours on the Internet, sometimes even 7 or 8 hours per day. Such high usage in overcoming the Internet blockade could trigger attention. As this continues, the participants could deviate from their normal lives and become less active interacting with others. I think this is inconsistent with what Master said about conforming to society maximally to cultivate.
Master said:
“Everything that Dafa disciples are doing today and everything in society you encounter, I can tell you, you are saving all beings.”
“Also, with those people that you run into by chance, who you run into in daily life, and the people you run into at work, you should all clarify the truth to them. Even when in your daily life you pass by people so quickly that you don’t have a chance to talk to them, you should still leave them with your compassion and kindness. Don’t lose those who should be saved, especially those with predestined connections.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2003 Atlanta Fa Conference,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World, Volume IV)
We practitioners in mainland China should cherish the cultivation opportunities in mainland China and our environment of saving people here, instead of participating overseas phone calling projects meant to supplement the efforts inside China.
4. Following Master’s Teachings
I would also like to quote some words from Master to remind us to be considerate of others, pay attention to safety, and rectify ourselves.
“Disciple: May I ask Master to talk more about the issue of safety in cellphone use.
“Master: There isn’t much to talk about here. You are carrying a listening device on you. Besides spies and governments, anyone is able to monitor you at will, and it’s very simple. That’s all it is, and whether you keep it on or off, it doesn’t make any difference. I am speaking here, and you know, the evil CCP is listening over there as well.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XIV)
“Student: Revered Master, practitioners use the Internet to exchange understandings and experiences. Is that format good or bad?
“Master: I think that’s not a problem outside of mainland China, but don’t talk about the specifics of what you’re doing to validate the Fa. If it’s in mainland China, it’s best that you give priority to your safety and don’t allow the old forces to take advantage of gaps. This isn’t a matter of being afraid or not, it’s about not letting the evil take advantage of any gaps.” (Teachings Given on Lantern Festival Day, 2003)
“Disciple: What should we be doing at this time to address the challenges of coordinating things in China on a large scale? Is it appropriate for someone to be designated a “general coordinator” of a prefecture-level city and then have him or her oversee things for the counties in that area? Some people feel that if the smaller regions aren’t coordinated in this manner it means we have not come together as “one body.”
“Master: No, that mustn’t be done. I want to make clear that that really mustn’t be done, even if your intention is good. I’m very aware that there are limits to what people can physically bear when they are subjected to persecution. When you are at the breaking point psychologically, or you can’t even think straight, and still the brutal torture goes on, you might give in and disclose things that you shouldn’t reveal. But you shouldn’t necessarily be judged by that, ultimately. We would understand that you didn’t do well, in that case, because you simply couldn’t bear it anymore or were beside yourself. And since your journey of cultivation isn’t over, you might still have more opportunities ahead. However, it would be serious if you mishandled things along the lines we’re discussing. Things would be more grave if your failings led to the death of other Dafa disciples. This is why I am telling you not to do things like this.
“Minghui.org provides Dafa disciples with a forum for sharing and exchanging ideas, while also offering non-practitioners a window into our world. So you can share whatever ideas you have through the site. But coordinating things on a large scale is not something you should be doing [in China] at this time. You really need to be mindful of everyone’s safety.” (“2018 Fa Teaching Given in Washington, D.C.,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XV)
“Disciple: The Minghui site has called on mainland practitioners to have a large number and wide distribution of materials production sites, and to have single point-to-point communication channels with Minghui. However, some coordinators in the mainland don’t pay much attention to the safety of the materials production sites, travel around under the pretense of “overall coordination,” garner centralized control of the materials production sites, and have all of the practitioners who make materials revolve around them.
“Master: Human attachments, that’s what it is—the attachments to reputation, personal gain, showing off, and competitiveness. They disregard practitioners’ safety and bring about difficulties and danger for Dafa disciples. All of these people who are going around to various places and who have specific information on practitioners are wrong in their thinking. There are also some among them who have ulterior motives. So you need to watch out for these things, and not give these people any openings.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2015 New York Fa,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XIII)
“All Dafa disciples, whether they are in mainland China or other parts of the world, should, with the approaches they take to counter the persecution, keep close in mind the safety of mainland China’s Dafa disciples. All actions that jeopardize Dafa disciples’ safety should be stopped.” (“Comment on a Student’s Article,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III)
Master has been looking after us and protecting us. He is also waking up those practitioners in danger through Minghui this way. I hope we can think rationally and walk the remaining cultivation path well.
Above are my personal opinions. Please point out anywhere inconsistent with Dafa teachings.
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