(Minghui.org) I was hired as a general manager for a foreign investment company more than ten years ago. With the downturn in the Chinese economy, the commercial real estate business has struggled. As a result, some shop owners have filed for compensation from my company.
The courts dismissed the claims on the grounds that the commercial real estate met the standards at the time it was purchased. Some shop owners then started petitioning for government intervention. The owner of my company subsequently decided to sell all of his real estate holdings.
Negotiations Following the Principles of Falun Dafa
Several companies and individuals showed interest in buying the organization, but due to various difficulties the negotiations stalled.
The head of one of the companies that wanted to buy us asked to meet with me. He offered me a large sum of money to persuade my boss to lower the price. Everyone at my company knew that I was a Falun Dafa practitioner who follows the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and knew that I would not accept a bribe.
Another buyer came to the table with a different payment scheme and tried to push his scheme through by threatening me and badmouthing me to my boss. My boss terminated all negotiations, took the sale off the market, and decided to offer it later, but only for a one-time payment in full.
Remaining Steadfast in Conviction
After my boss put the company back on the market, he asked my daughter and son-in-law to recommend the company to their friends, or consider buying it themselves.
One day my son-in-law told me that he was interested, but due to a shortage of money he wanted to do a deal with a lower deposit. He expected that I would agree to the deal in secret, but I refused to do anything unethical. They continued to pressure me, so I decided to help them understand my position in greater detail.
“Twice I almost lost my life after being persecuted for practicing Falun Dafa,” I told them. “Why was I able to keep my faith? Because my cultivation helped me understand the principles of being a good person. So even if I lost my job or my life, I would still adhere to my belief. I will never stop following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
My son-in-law did not give up and said, “It would be beneficial to you as my father-in-law if the business grows well!”
“Son,” I said, “I have been the general manager of a real estate company for over ten years. There were numerous opportunities to make money. Why would I need you to help me? If I didn’t follow the rules, I would have been able to make a lot of money. It would be so easy to do that.”
I told them of the many illnesses I suffered before I practiced Falun Dafa, and that after practicing I recovered from the illnesses and people were astounded by my changes.
“My good health and the ability to do well was given to me by Dafa, and it is not something that can be purchased,” I said. “Not only did I return to good health, but Dafa also taught me how to cultivate my heart and be a kind person. Master Li taught us the principle of ‘no loss, no gain.’ In cultivation we have to meet the standards of cultivators.”
To help them understand my position better, I told them about the time that someone called my boss and asked him to fire me because of my faith. When my boss asked for his name, that person hung up the phone. What’s more, my boss held my job for me even while I was wrongfully detained for two years.
“That was his acknowledgment of me following the principles of Dafa,” I said. “You are still young and should strive to be honest. If you want to buy the company, then pay the full amount.”
My daughter told him that I would not change my mind. He told me that he respected my decision. He was soon able to pull together the money to buy the company.
Master said,
“Qigong practice requires one to value virtues, do good deeds, and be kind. One should conduct oneself this way in everything and under all circumstances.” (Zhuan Falun)
After several years of tribulations and tempering, I have matured. I have gradually changed from looking at things from the perspective of myself to viewing everything from a cultivator's standpoint. I follow Dafa’s principles of selflessness and altruism, and I constantly try to improve myself.
