[Japan Fa Conference] Young PhD: Returning to Cultivation

(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Dafa in 1996 with my parents. I moved to Japan a few years ago to study at the University of Tokyo. I have now graduated with a doctorate degree. I deeply experienced Master’s compassion during my twenty years of practice.

Stepping onto the Cultivation Path

My parents began practicing Falun Dafa in 1996, and I naturally followed along and practiced with them. We woke up at 3:00 a.m. and went to the city park to participate in group practice. On weekends we sometimes went to the suburbs to do the exercises together with other practitioners and introduce the local people to Falun Dafa.

We often watched videos of Master’s Fa teachings with other practitioners in the evening. I usually played while I listened. I read the Fa with my parents when I grew up and learned more words.

Although I didn’t understand much about cultivation, I knew that Dafa taught people to be good according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I firmly believed that Dafa is good. When I was a child I wanted very much to live forever. When I learned that one could have an immortal life through cultivation, I became determined to practice Falun Dafa.

My parents practiced diligently, and their illnesses soon disappeared. My family was bathed in Dafa’s Buddha light. Some relatives witnessed the positive changes in my family and started practicing as well.

Returning to Cultivation

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Dafa. My parents decided to go to Beijing to appeal for Dafa, and I went with them.

We took an overnight train to Beijing during the Chinese New Year in 2000. My parents went to the appeal office to tell the government the facts about Dafa. However, the police arrested us at the entrance and detained my parents for fifteen days.

My father was dismissed from work, and my mother’s work unit decreased her salary because they did not give up their faith in Dafa. Many relatives listened to the propaganda broadcast by the state-owned media which defamed Falun Dafa and did not understand us. After all these tribulations, I gradually began to become less diligent in my own practice.

Instead of reading, I only listened to the recordings of Master’s lectures after I went to university. I read Master’s recent teachings with my parents when I went home for the holidays. I felt time was pressing and I wanted to hurry up, cultivate myself and do well. 

I began to think about issues I didn’t want to face before. I wanted to do the three things well, but how? Was there still time? I didn’t know how to clarify the truth and do it safely. After careful consideration, I decided to leave China because I thought I may do better in a different environment.

Under Master’s arrangement, I came to Japan to pursue graduate studies at the University of Tokyo. I also received a generous scholarship, which gave me more time to do the three things.

I found a local practice site. I woke up early the next day and arrived at the park on time. When the exercise music started, I was filled with joy. It was the first time I’d seen so many practitioners since the persecution started. 

A few days later I bought my first printed copy of Zhuan Falun and joined a Fa study group. I decided to read all forty-five Dafa books. I tried my best to focus while I read the Fa and I eliminated my thought karma and external interference. If I became absent-minded, I re-read the sentence or the paragraph again. It took me more than a year to read all the books. I also read the English version of Zhuan Falun, which helped me understand more Fa principles. I recognized and got rid of a lot of my attachments.

I also made breakthroughs in sending forth righteous thoughts. In China, I seldom sent forth righteous thoughts at midnight due to my attachment to comfort and laziness. I understood the importance of sending forth righteous thoughts and tried my best to do it four times a day. I also felt surrounded by powerful energy when I sent righteous thoughts.

Master said,

“As you know, the persecution that Dafa disciples in Mainland China suffer is quite severe, so each student has to truly, clearly realize what his responsibility is, and when he sends forth righteous thoughts he has to be able to truly calm his mind and truly produce the effect of righteous thoughts. So this is something extremely critical, extremely important. Then if every student is able to do that, I can tell you, with five minutes of sending forth righteous thoughts together, the evil in the Three Realms will never exist again--that's how important this is.” (“Fa-Lecture at the Conference in Florida, U.S.A.” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. II)

I knew I had to seize the opportunity to do the three things well, so I participated in truth-clarification projects. I understood that telling the truth was not just handing out leaflets but fulfilling my mission.

In school, I put Fa study as my priority and did very well academically. I finished all five years of class credits for my master’s and doctorate degrees in record time with straight As. 

When it was time to get my master’s degree, I was chosen as the representative to attend the university’s graduation ceremony. The president presented me with my diploma himself. I knew this honor was for me to validate the beauty of Dafa.

Eliminating My Attachment to Science

Since I was a child, I liked to ask why. I developed a strong interest in science. I already had some knowledge about the universe and space-time before I went to school. After I went to school, I became convinced that science was correct. It was not until I went to university that I gradually found science’s loopholes. In my research and studies I became even more aware of science’s limitations and contradictions.

I recalled what Master said, 

“Some students asked me whether “one plus one equals two” is true in the heavens. The human way of thinking and human logic don’t exist in the heavens. Its meaning eventually changes and it’s not like that anymore.” (“Teaching and Explaining the Fa at the Metropolitan New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teaching, Vol. III)

I also realized that if I firmly believe in the Fa, I should eliminate my attachment to science.

Clarifying the Truth

I had the opportunity to visit the United States several times during my doctoral studies.

I was not well-prepared the first time. I only brought a few pamphlets I had on hand because I wanted to see the attractions. I put the informational materials in a public area in the building where my lab was located. When I saw people taking them I regretted not bringing more materials.

A few months later I traveled to this state again. This time I brought hundreds of informational materials. I also collected signatures for a petition to bring Jiang Zemin, the former CCP leader, to justice. I told the facts of persecution to the professors and assistants in my lab, and they all signed the petition form.

I also collected signatures over the weekend at local tourist attractions. Many people accepted the pamphlets, and most signed the petition after learning the truth. Within a few hours, I collected several sheets of signatures.

I did better during my last visit. I seized every moment to save people during my trip. I clarified the truth to the person sitting next to me on the plane, and he readily accepted it and signed the petition form. I was happy that he chose a bright future for himself.

On the connecting flight, I told the person next to me about the persecution and I clarified the truth to the passengers at the airport. Most people I talked to signed the petition form. During my stay, I told all my neighbors about the persecution and they all signed the petition.

One time after a person who seemed to be from Hong Kong accepted the pamphlet, he said he knew the CCP did many bad things to Chinese people. He said he supported us in exposing the persecution and signed the petition.

Another time I spoke to a cleaner on duty, who not only signed the petition but also put his hands together to express his gratitude. I learned that I should tell the truth to every one that I met and never judge people by their social status.

Once a teenager came up to me, and I told him about Dafa and the persecution in China. He gave me a big hug after signing the petition. I believed it was probably the joy of beings after they understood the truth.

Another time I spoke to a teacher at a local university. He said he heard about Falun Dafa and the persecution from a practitioner in Texas. He signed the petition and suggested I go to the local university to collect signatures.

I helped several hundred people learn about the truth on this visit. Thank you, Master, for your blessing! I also appreciated the efforts of the local practitioners in the U.S.

Memorizing the Fa

The COVID pandemic broke out during my last semester of doctoral studies. There were not many people in the buildings or on campus. The school cafeteria and stores were closed for about two months. The entire campus was empty and silent.

I became depressed. The pressure to finish my doctoral degree on time made it worse. However, I had to do my best to graduate on time in order to validate the Fa. I stayed in the lab late every night for several months, including weekends. Sometimes I spent the entire night there.

I went through that challenging period by doing the exercises for at least one hour every day. I often listened to Shen Yun’s music while writing my thesis to eliminate my stress.

When it was hard for me to continue, I reminded myself of what Master said: “Nothing is truly unbearable or impossible.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun) I also realized that cultivation is enduring hardship. Through this experience I felt my willpower improve.

I finally received my doctorate on time. Surprisingly, I was again chosen to represent the new graduates of all the majors in our graduate school and attended the school's graduation ceremony.

Master said,

“I believe that if you can do that, you will always find that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)

I felt memorizing the Fa was a way to help me concentrate on reading the Fa. I finally made up my mind to memorize Zhuan Falun in 2020. I memorized one paragraph at a time and requested myself to recite it correctly before moving to the next one.

I realized that there were many benefits to memorizing the Fa. It helped me study the Fa with my heart. I made fewer mistakes when I read the Fa. Memorizing the Fa also deepened my understanding of the Fa principles. I strongly suggest that every practitioner memorize the Fa.

Conclusion

After coming to Japan, I saw Shen Yun for the first time. I was so moved when the curtain opened, and the Creator calls the gods to “enter the three worlds and fulfill God’s vows!”

During the 2019 New York Fa conference, I participated in the parade, the sacred conference, and the Chinese character formation. What moved me the most was seeing Master and listening to him teach in person! I was filled with gratitude and joy.

I appreciate the privilege of practicing Falun Dafa. I felt it was my destiny to return to my true home. I have learned that studying the Fa well is the only way to move up in cultivation, tell the truth more effectively, and send forth powerful righteous thoughts.

Master said:

“Practice cultivation in the way you did when you first began, and the Dao will be achieved! Be even more diligent as the end draws nearer!” (To the Taiwan Experience-Sharing Conference)

In the precious time left for cultivation, I will cherish the environment overseas, do the three things well, and return to my true home with Master.

Thank you, Master, for your compassionate salvation! Thank you, fellow practitioners!

(Presented at the 2022 Japan Fa Conference)