Practicing Falun Gong Inspires Teacher to Bring Kindness and Beauty to Her Classroom

(Minghui.org) In a warm and caring classroom at an elementary school in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, children listen quietly to the soothing melodies of symphonic music. The music comes from Shen Yun’s audio-visual platform and are part of Teacher Chen Jingrong’s daily morning routine.

Chen, who recently received Taiwan’s highest educational honor, the Excellent Teacher Award, has spent the past 27 years sowing the seeds of kindness and beauty in the field of education through perseverance and compassion. The starting point for all this came in 2002, when she embarked on the path of Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) cultivation.

Teacher Chen Jingrong (second from right) receiving the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award from President Lai Ching-te (center). Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao is on the far left, Premier Cho Jung-tai, second on left, and her father on the far right.

Beginning Cultivation, Bidding Farewell to Illness and Suffering

After graduating from Chiayi Normal College, Chen returned to her hometown to teach. As a former member of Taiwan’s national volleyball team, her honors include a bronze medal in the young women’s division at the Asian Cup. Yet behind this glory was a body riddled with sports injuries, compounded by chronic skin rash, rheumatic pain, and recurrent tonsillitis. She recalled, “Every day after work, I was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.”

In April 2002, at the recommendation of a colleague, Chen attended a Falun Gong teachers’ workshop. She was deeply moved after hearing practitioners describe how their physical and mental health had improved by practicing Falun Gong. She thought, “This practice is so wonderful. It teaches people to be good and also leads to physical and mental well-being.” She decided to practice Falun Gong herself.

That summer, she took a trip to Canada, taking her prescription medications with her. She enjoyed the daytime activities, and at night she practiced the Falun Gong exercises and read Zhuan Falun. Two weeks later, when she returned to Taiwan, she was astonished to realize that, although she hadn’t taken a single pill, she felt completely well. “Since 2002, I haven’t taken any medications.” Her rash, rheumatic pain, and tonsillitis had all vanished.

Chen finds practicing Falun Gong truly wonderful. When she practiced martial arts in the past, she had to consider direction, timing, and numerous restrictions. Now, her school has a Falun Gong practice site where she can do the exercises in the morning. If she misses the morning session, she can practice after work. If she misses both, she can practice at home. “You can practice according to your own schedule, which is more convenient for people in this day and age.”

A Peaceful Heart Brings a Calm Life

Chen’s health recovery was only the beginning of her cultivation journey. What was more profound was the transformation of her heart.

Before she started to practice, Chen often wondered: “Where do people come from, and where will they go when they die?” She read books on psychology, looking for answers, yet new questions kept arising. After practicing Falun Gong, many questions were effortlessly resolved.

She was at peace, physically and mentally, free from anxiety, panic, and worry, achieving a profound inner calm. As she describes it, “You understand exactly what you need to do, and you gain a deeper understanding of life. Your inner peace lasts longer.”

Chen Jingrong participating in the character formation activity at Freedom Square in 2025

Chen recalls that, before she started cultivating, she would dwell on many things for a long time. But after: “Though ripples may stir within, they quickly subside into stillness. My heart is at ease, a state of natural freedom. When faced with distressing troubles, after studying the Fa and identifying my attachments, the inner peace and freedom are beyond words.”

Sowing the Seeds of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in the Classroom

Practicing Falun Gong not only improved Chen’s physical health and elevated her character, but more importantly, it imparted wisdom which influenced her work. She gained a deeper understanding of how to teach students effectively, guiding them with a gentle, compassionate heart. Her teaching achievements have earned high praise from her principal, colleagues, and students’ parents alike.

Students demonstrating the five exercises

In 2003, Chen took on duties as a school counselor, helping address behavioral issues among some students. During her lunch breaks, she organized group counseling sessions where these students learned Falun Gong, with strong parental support. The profound yet accessible principles in Zhuan Falun elevated the students’ moral character, leading to significant physical and mental improvements for many. Xiao Ying and Xiaoqing are two examples.

Xiao Ying, then in the fifth grade, said, “Before practicing Falun Gong, I was rebellious and had a hot temper. I often fought with my sister. When Dad scolded me, I always thought it was unfair—why me and not my sister?

“After I started practicing and reading Zhuan Falun, I realized I’d never reflected on my mistakes. I began looking inward to identify my own faults, and my sister and I agreed on certain rules, which improved our communication. I am grateful to have the chance to learn such a wonderful practice. It not only improved my health, but also helped me overcome my bad temper and taught me how to treat others kindly.”

Xiaoqing, another fifth-grader, said, “I used to be in poor health and was often dizzy and tired. After learning Falun Gong with my mother, I learned that ‘...de is obtained through enduring and suffering hardships, or by doing good deeds.’ (Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun)” I learned to be tolerant and not to hold grudges against my classmates. At home, when I see my mom working hard, I take the initiative to help with chores.

“After studying the Fa and practicing the exercises, my mother and I have become healthier. In the past two years, we haven’t been sick or seen a doctor. I love coming to the group counseling class because practicing the exercises keeps us healthy and calms our minds.”

Eight years ago, Chen transferred to her current school. She utilized flexible class periods and integrated courses, combining the programs “Heavenly Kids” and “The Wonderful World of Chinese Characters,” to cultivate students’ moral character. She established a Gan Jing World classroom channel and played Shen Yun videos and music. She also played Shen Yun music during morning self-study periods and at lunchtime.

One student’s transformation left a deep impression on Chen. “Whenever I played Shen Yun videos, he’d stare at the screen and keep smiling.” During every sharing session about Shen Yun performances, he was always the first to raise his hand. He loved watching “The Dragon Palace Treasure Hunt,” saying, “I want to do good deeds just like you all.” Some children wrote that they loved Shen Yun’s music because it calmed their hearts.

Additionally, a child in the class who suffers from ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome used to skip school due to family issues, was resentful toward his mother, and had emotional outbursts. Guided by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Chen patiently communicated with the child’s mother, spending three years helping them mend their relationship. “From smashing things to sincerely wishing his mother well,” the child’s transformation stemmed from the power of compassion, patience, and acceptance.

Chen has noted that Shen Yun performances profoundly influence the development of children’s character. “Teachers enjoy teaching my class, saying these students are truly different. When they enter the classroom, they sense a stabilizing force, and they feel the students are as good as angels and exceptionally poised.” The students’ enhanced focus and improved performance across subjects are evident to all, earning strong affirmation from the principal and department heads.

Glory and Gratitude to Dafa

In the classroom, Chen not only imparts knowledge, but also uses love and action to teach her students empathy and mutual support, creating a class filled with warmth and positive energy. One parent wrote, “It is truly a blessing for our children to have met you. I am deeply grateful for how wholeheartedly you dedicate yourself to the children in your class, allowing us parents to witness their growth and transformation together. I see such a passion for education in you. May your enthusiasm for teaching never fade.”

In July of this year, after Chen learned that she had won the Excellent Teacher Award, she first expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.

In the acknowledgments section of her nomination form, she wrote: “I am profoundly grateful to our great Master for personally guiding me through both words and deeds, patiently teaching me sincerity, kindness, and endurance. He has shown me how to be a good person—and an even better one—in daily life, at work, and with my own family. Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me an endless wellspring of wisdom throughout my life.”

In this era of educational challenges and upheaval, with the compassion, steadfastness, and wisdom of a practitioner, Chen quietly cultivates and inspires young minds. Her story inspires us to believe that true education begins with inner cultivation. Walking this path where teaching and self-cultivation advance hand in hand, she sows the seeds of light and love.