(Minghui.org) Before my retirement, I held a job that many people envied – I was a civil servant responsible for purchasing office supplies at work. In today's China where ethical standards run low, such a position is considered “profitable,” since people often abuse it to line their own pockets.
For instance, many people ask to have a higher price written on the receipt when they make purchases for their employers, then pocket the difference after getting reimbursed. The salespeople are happy to oblige, because happy corporate customers mean repeat business.
Had I not practiced Falun Dafa, I would have done the same. Falun Dafa, however, taught me to apply the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in everything I do. Despite the temptation to use my position to fatten my wallet, I maintained my integrity.
People at first laughed at me for being foolish for not taking advantage of my position, but they eventually admired me for being such a “rare find” in today's society.
I'd like to share a few examples of what happened at work after I began practicing Falun Dafa 18 years ago.
Never Taking a Single Penny That Wasn't Mine
I often went to the same shop to purchase office supplies. At the check-out, the clerk asked me what she should write on the receipt as the total price. I told her without hesitation, “Write down the actual price of the items.” My response took her aback.
After several visits to the shop, the clerk said, “Why are you so foolish? Everyone asks me to write a higher total on the receipt. Don't be so stubborn. I'm telling you this for your own good.”
I replied, “I'm different.”
She asked, “How are you different? Aren't you human, too? Who doesn't want a little extra?”
I explained, “I believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and practice Falun Dafa. Our master require us to be truthful and honest. We also have to put ourselves in the other person's shoes.”
She understood and said, “There are too few people like you. If everyone were like you, we wouldn't need laws!”
Refusing to Acknowledge Fraudulent Receipts
According to finance department policy, those who incurred expenses had to sign the reimbursement form.
One day a company driver brought me several receipts. He said that the finance department director had given instructions for me to sign the reimbursement form and acknowledge them. I looked at the receipts but didn't recognize them.
I said, “Tell the director that I will not sign the form, because I didn't make these purchases. Tell him not to ask me to sign receipts for expenses I didn't incur.”
Co-workers looked at me strangely when they learned what I'd said. Concerned, the driver said to me, “That will offend the director. How are you going to survive? You're supposed to help the director. If you help him, you will benefit, too.”
I explained, “You are aware that I practice Falun Dafa. Our master wants us to live by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to be a good person. I can't lie.”
He said, “I finally understand that Falun Dafa teaches people to be honest. There are very few people like you!”
Do You Hate Me?
“Do you hate me?” That was the first question the director asked me at my retirement banquet.
I was surprised and asked him why he would think that.
He said, “We have worked together for many years. I know that you are a good person and responsible in your job. You helped me a great deal and resolved difficulties for me. Good people like you are rare. However, when the persecution first started, I made you declare your stance on Falun Dafa for the higher management.”
I said, “I forgot about that long ago. Rest assured that I do not hate you. I practice Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. How could I hate you? Didn't my work performance demonstrate that?”
I took advantage of this occasion to tell the director and my colleagues more about Falun Dafa and the persecution taking place in China. I also encouraged everyone to live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and to be truthful, kind, and tolerate in any life situation.
Having understood about Dafa, the director later asked me for a Dafa book. He wanted to learn more about the practice. I gave him a copy of Zhuan Falun and several DVDs with information about Dafa.
