(Minghui.org) I am an elementary school teacher, and I use every opportunity to introduce traditional Chinese culture to my students.
The school registered to participate in a performing arts competition. I downloaded music and dances from practitioners' websites, and taught them to students. The background pictures for the dances came from Minghui.org. I also played DVDs of the Shen Yun Performing Arts shows so students could have a better understanding of our traditional Chinese culture.
The school principal was frightened. I knew that he observed me when I was teaching, but I still told my students about the principles of Falun Gong. One day, when he stood outside of my classroom eavesdropping, I opened the door and invited him in to listen. He hurriedly left. When I realized that he was also checking the books I read, I lent him the Falun Gong books and asked him to read them.
Later, the principal called a meeting and told all the communist party members at the school to criticize me. I knew this was a chance for me to talk to them about Falun Gong.
I smiled at everyone as I entered the conference room, and asked: “Are you trying to have a 'Cultural Revolution' at our school?” The teachers exclaimed: “No! Don't worry. We just want to talk about Falun Gong. It is forbidden by the communist party. Why do you still talk about it? What if you get caught? It won't do you or the school any good. The Party will give the school leaders a hard time.”
They read me eight rules written by the principal, which constrained my freedom to do various things. They asked me what I thought.
I said: “First, I'd like to thank everyone for your concern. I really appreciate it. But I need to point out, practicing Falun Gong does not violate any law. The constitution gives us Chinese freedom of belief.
Second, why do I practice Falun Gong? Because it is great. It benefits people both physically and mentally. It teaches people to be good.”
I then told them what Falun Gong really is. I emphasized that I would pay attention to my safety, and I would not cause trouble for the school leaders.
After our meeting the principal stopped spying on me. Instead, he avoided me. Afterwards I was able to openly talk about Falun Gong. I convinced all the faculty members, but one, to quit the party. All of my students quit the communist young pioneers.
I was about to retire from teaching, when I realized that there were several students that I hadn't talked to yet. I asked the school to hire me as an adjunct faculty member. The school agreed, but they were worried that I was too old to teach, so they gave me some light jobs. Their motive was kind, but what I wanted was to have contact with students and talk to them about Falun Gong.
I was soon given an opportunity. A newly hired teacher was worried that he could not handle the young students, and wanted to switch jobs with me. I was very happy. The administration was also happy to see that I was willing to do more work.
I also worked as a substitute teacher, and helped other teachers to discipline their students. I used every opportunity to talk to as many students as possible.
When students fought with each other, I guided them with Dafa's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Afterwards, they would shake hands, and be friends. Some teachers asked me: “Why are you so patient?” I told them that I practice Falun Gong, so I need to be benevolent.
My work with the students reduced the teachers' burdens, and created a good environment for me to tell them the facts about Falun Gong. The school leaders and the faculty were very happy. I was also happy, because it made it easier for me to convince them to quit the Party.
Cultivating ourselves and awakening people to the facts is serious. We need to use the wisdom bestowed by Dafa when we talk to people. We need to do our everyday people's job well, and cultivate with dignity so we can create a good environment to help people understand the facts about Falun Gong.
