(Minghui.org) I became a Falun Dafa practitioner in 1997. When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution in 1999, many friends and relatives wondered why I was so determined to continue the practice. Even the police officers who mistreated me asked the same questions.
Twenty years later, friends, relatives, and the police officers no longer have doubts. They have seen how my family and I have changed and benefited from the practice.
Searching for the Meaning of Life
I was born into a family of educators. After graduating from college, I was assigned to work at a large local business. Due to my outstanding job performance, I was promoted to the division head of the factory before the age of 30.
I married the girl I liked, and we had two children. My in-laws treated me well, and life was carefree.
I had a wide-range of interests, and often participated in sports leagues, card games, and dance groups organized by the company. I devoted myself to these activities, but a sense of uneasiness would often creep up after I mastered something.
I asked myself, “Is this what I want in life? If it is, then why am I not truly happy? If it's not, then what is the real meaning of life?”
I came across I-Ching, the Book of Changes and thought it was quite mystical. I bought many books on related topics and studied them during my spare time. I discovered that our lives are pre-arranged. I also read many books on predictions and prophecies, and many of them became true.
As I explored the meaning of life, I more and more felt that everything in the cosmos had been pre-arranged by high level beings. We are so insignificant and cannot change anything! More questions emerged as I reached those understandings. “Why are we here in this world?” “What is the most precious thing in life?” “How can I find my true home?” I searched everywhere, but could not find the answers.
Experiencing Remarkable Changes After Practicing Falun Dafa
My parents told me one day that they were practicing Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong), and had undergone amazing transformations. I reached for the introductory book, Falun Gong, and was captivated by the content. Every question I had since childhood was answered. I read it from cover to cover while standing in front of the bookshelf. I then committed to begin practicing Falun Dafa.
I experienced remarkable changes very soon, as I successfully quit smoking and drinking. I really cherished the opportunity and tried my best to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I also searched within for my shortcomings when I encountered conflicts and problems. My xinxing then improved, and I felt healthier. My cold and fatigue symptoms caused by chemicals at the factory gradually disappeared.
After seeing what I had gone through, my mother-in-law, wife, and other relatives learned the practice too. We did the exercises and read the teachings of Falun Dafa every day. We understood the meaning of life and had peace of mind. The Buddha light shined on us, and everything seemed so wonderful!
Persecution Caused Havoc at Home
On July 20, 1999, the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the persecution on Falun Dafa. I was illegally arrested and detained numerous times. I had to leave home and hide elsewhere. I was also sent to a brainwashing center and sentenced to prison terms. I lost my job, and my wife's job was also affected.
The ongoing persecution caused havoc at home. My mother-in-law nearly gave up the practice. My father-in-law quit the practice for fear of being persecuted. His bad habits returned and his health deteriorated. He passed away shortly thereafter.
After I was sentenced to prison, my mother-in-law did not want to practice anymore. The illnesses she had before – high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, tuberculosis, swollen leg – reappeared. She was hospitalized 2-3 times a year. She resumed the practice after I was released from prison. In just a short while, her illnesses were nonexistent again.
A practitioner asked my mother-in-law what was her greatest happiness. She burst into tears, “The happiest moment of my life was when I returned to Falun Dafa.”
It must have been hard for my mother-in-law to recall the hardship she suffered during the 18 years of persecution. After experiencing the darkest and most difficult years; then nearly leaving the practice and finally returning, she could hardly describe her feelings when being reunited with something so precious!
As practitioners, we understand that missing the opportunity to practice Falun Dafa is like living without hope.
Helping Relatives Find Happiness
After returning from prison, I noticed many relatives were without goals in life. They did not understand the meaning of life; their worlds were empty and full of restlessness.
My sister-in-law was laid-off. She then went out every day to gamble, eat, drink, and would not come home for days when playing mahjong. She had no sense of responsibility, did not tend to household matters and would often leave her child with his grandparents. She basically lived in a drunken stupor and became pale, thin, and had poor health.
My wife and I talked to her about our experiences practicing Falun Dafa. After reading Zhuan Falun, she said the book woke her up and completely changed her view of life. Becoming a practitioner brought her good health, and her illnesses and discomfort were gone. She also discarded her bad habits and got along well with her family.
My brother-in-law and his wife had personality clashes. They quarreled, sometimes violently. Once, he hit her on the head so hard that she had to be hospitalized. When we visited her at the hospital, she cried and yelled, “I want to divorce him!” She even showed us the divorce document.
I asked her if she knew the root cause of her pain and how to obtain true happiness. But she just looked at us blankly. I explained what we had learned from the teachings of Falun Dafa, and she eventually calmed down.
My wife suggested that she read Zhuan Falun to understand the source of her suffering and the meaning of real happiness. She became a practitioner, then made an effort to get rid of her resentment, and her family life improved.
Practicing Falun Dafa Benefits My Family
When the department head at my wife's company found out I was detained several times, forced to leave home, and sentenced to prison, he said that my circumstances would negatively affect our children. But it turned out to be the opposite.
One of my children had average grades, but did very well in the college entrance examination and was accepted by a top university. Another child is studying abroad. Both of them are good kids. My wife also received a substantial amount of compensation when her department was outsourced. Practicing Falun Dafa has actually benefited my entire family.
Master said “On Dafa” (Lunyu)
“When people show the appropriate respect and reverence toward Dafa as it manifests here in this world, they, their race, or their nation will enjoy blessings or honor.” (Zhuan Falun)
The Buddha Light Brings Blessings to My Niece
My wife and I visited our hometown one year. My niece sadly confided to her, “I've been married for seven years and have been unable to become pregnant. I went to many doctors without a result. Can you recommend a reputable doctor or hospital?”
My wife smiled and replied, “I don't know any reputable doctor or hospital, but I have a simple and useful method that can help you. I suggest you quit from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations, and sincerely recite 'Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good'.” My wife also shared her experience of practicing Falun Dafa and explained the persecution by the CCP.
We found out a year later that my niece had a baby. Her family was very grateful to Dafa!
My family and I have been blessed by Falun Dafa. Master Li's protection and our firm faith has shielded us from the severity of the persecution. We are now living a good life. Years of hardship did not defeat us, but made us stronger. The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance have molded our moral character. My relatives, friends, and even the police officers previously involved in the persecution are now happy for us!
