(Clearwisdom.net) One day I was on my way home when I saw a note on my car. It said, in English, “I'm sorry, but I bumped your car by accident. Please give me a call.” The telephone number was written on the back of the note.
At first I thought I would simply remove the note, because it was not really a surprise as the cars were very close together and there were only a few tiny marks. Touched by the honesty of the note writer, I decided to call and tell the person that he did not have to worry about it. At least it would be better than him waiting for a call.
I quickly dialed the number. Knowing the reason for the call, the gentleman answered the phone and kept apologizing to me. I said, “I'm calling you not to ask for compensation, but to thank you for your honesty and grace, because had you not left the note, I would not have noticed anyhow.” He replied, “Could you leave me your home address? I'll send you a check for $200.” I sincerely told him, “It was not your fault. My car is fine. Don't worry about it.”
He repeatedly expressed his apology and asked me what he could do for me. I said, “If you would like to help, can you please tell the facts about the persecution of Falun Gong to other people? The practitioners have been persecuted in China, but because of the CCP's deceptive propaganda, there are still many people who don't know the truth.”
Then I thought of the older female practitioners who had been persistently appealing for Falun Gong in front of Chinese consulates. No matter how other people misunderstood them, they never stopped doing so. Year after year, they were stationed there to display posters and distribute truth-clarification materials. Despite the difficulties, they were there to help other people to understand the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, to awaken their compassionate natures, and to bring them good futures. Nevertheless some vicious staff members in the Chinese consulates accused them of doing this because they were paid to do so.
In fact, as practitioners, how could we possibly take money so seriously? Although someone was offering $200 to me while my financial situation was very difficult and $200 could pay half of my monthly rent, I would not take what did not belong to me. Be it a penny, or some astronomical amount, I would never take it. Even if it were two million or twenty billion dollars, I would decline just the same, let alone the two hundred dollars. As Confucius said, “Wealth and rank are like floating clouds.” As Dafa practitioners, we do not take worldly fame and gain seriously. On the other hand, if it is something we are supposed to do as practitioners, we will do it even without any financial returns or in the face of grave danger.
The next day, I tried to open the door of my car, but I could not because it was indeed damaged. I did not regret that I did not take the money that the gentleman offered to me. I believe that my words made it possible for him to know that there are still good people in this world and that his honesty deserved a good return – praise instead of punishment. This will bring encouragement to good-hearted people and a positive cycle to society. I felt comforted because of him and his honesty.
I know this is such a small incident that it deserves no storytelling. I also know that in terms of cultivation level I am far behind many other practitioners. But perhaps through such an ordinary story, people will understand the thoughts of Falun Gong practitioners. If one thinks it over, one will understand that those good-hearted Falun Gong practitioners who have been sacrificing so much only to help others learn the truth, are assets to our society, and deserve all of our respect.
