High School Hongfa

Hello everyone! I am a Dafa practitioner from Maine. I am very happy to be here, to clarify the truth to sentient beings, and also to understand more about the city and to meet some of the DC practitioners, because I will be attending Georgetown University this fall. I began my path of cultivation about a year and a half ago. I would like to talk briefly about how I attained Dafa and then my Hongfa experiences in my high school over the past year.

Towards the end of 1999, a local practitioner who attended the same high school as I introduced Dafa to me. At the time, I was very interested in cultivation, but I did not understand it. I was practicing something else at the time, and I thought that Falun Dafa was "too easy" because it did not have enough precepts and requirements. I read a little of China Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun, but I did not give myself a chance to understand Dafa. Nevertheless, when I decided to live in Paraguay, South America, for six months, I brought Zhuan Falun with me.

About two or three weeks after arriving in Paraguay, I felt very peaceful and harmonious while in the sitting meditation, so I decided to try to read Zhuan Falun again and learn more about Falun Dafa. This time, it seemed like the book just opened up to me. I was immediately drawn to the boundless and pure content of Zhuan Falun. I can remember just thinking, "Wow, this is really great! I want to cultivate." What a precious thought! I immediately dropped my previous practice and set down the glorious path of Dafa cultivation.

For those six months, I practiced and read fairly diligently. But I did not understand Hongfa, nor did I truly conduct myself as a practitioner in everyday society. As Master said, "In the past, whether people practiced qigong in parks or at home, they did it with much effort and dedication, and they practiced quite well. Once they stepped out the door, they would act differently and go their own way, competing and fighting with others for fame and profit among everyday people." I was one of those people. Looking back, I notice that I progressed very slowly in that environment. I returned to the US in August of 2000 and for the first time after attaining the Fa met with other practitioners.

After attending the New York Experience Sharing Conference in the fall of 2000, I strongly felt that I should assist Teacher in the human world. I decided that the best place to Hongfa would be in my high school. Here are some of my experiences:

Outdoor Practice

One of the first ways that I spread Fa to my high school was by practicing in front of the school. I found a perfect place so that nearly everyone who came to school, by bus or by car, would see me. At first I thought "What will people think of me?" I felt it very difficult to let go of my human notions. At first, I could not muster up the courage to practice, but as soon as I set my mind with determination to show my classmates and teachers Dafa, I overcame the fear easily. I find that to be a common occurrence. Master said, "You must remember this: Cultivation itself is not painful -- the key lies in your inability to release attachments. Only when you are about to let go of your reputation, interests, and feelings will you feel pain (Essentials for Further Advancement)."

At first, people were indifferent to Falun Dafa. But it was my determination in practicing that truly opened their hearts to the power of Dafa. When winter came, it was cold and dark outside, and the ground was covered with snow. Every day was a struggle for me. The physical pain of getting up early and the cold were very hard for me to bear. I can remember one day after practice clenching my teeth in agony as my feet thawed from being frozen. But I still went almost every day and would not give up. I knew that Dafa had high requirements for me and that I had to meet them. Anyway, Master said, "Physical pain can hardly be counted as painful \ Cultivating one's heart is most excruciating. ("Tempering One's Mind and Heart", Hong Yin)".

My determination truly had a powerful effect on people. After they saw a manifestation of Ren on the ordinary level, they became much more interested in Dafa. Many signed my petition when I brought it around, and some even came out to learn the exercises. Even the very conservative Headmaster and Vice Headmaster of my high school were impressed and expressed their support for Dafa. It is like what Master said in "The Knowing Heart": "Actions reveal what is True."

Variety Show

In February of this year, I heard that my school was putting on a variety show. At first I didn't think of doing an exercise demonstration for the show, but one event quickly changed my mind. The lady who was running the show specifically came up to me and asked me to perform the movements for the show. I knew instantly that Master was giving me an opportunity to Hongfa and quickly agreed. But there was a problem. I needed to perform with others from my school, so I couldn't get the help of fellow practitioners. But then I realized that this was a great opportunity to get non- -- practitioners involved in the Fa -- rectification so that they could position themselves for the future. I quickly found three others to go onstage with me.

Time was short, however, and we had to move quickly. One day school was cancelled because of the weather, so I used the opportunity to meet with all of the non -- practitioners to show them the exercises. They were all very brave. They had only gone over the exercises a few times, but still performed them in front of all of their friends and relatives. In addition, we had a tape playing Pudu with a voice - over explaining Falun Dafa, the exercises, and the persecution. All of us overcame our fear of losing face in order to clarify the truth to kindhearted people. Overall, the event was very successful. Many people heard the Dafa of the cosmos and the Truth of the situation in China, and one of the non -- practitioners began to practice outside with me every day.

Graduation

Now I understand much more the importance of conducting oneself as a Dafa disciple in all aspects of daily life. Doing well in school truly opened up to me a precious Hongfa opportunity. I was fourth in my graduating class and was one of four selected to give a speech at my graduation. I understood that this was a Hongfa opportunity that I could not pass up; over 1000 people would be in attendance.

I thought and thought about how to present Dafa to my audience. My mother actually gave me the suggestion of showing examples of how my high school valued Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, instead of just explaining my understanding to the audience. I also made many references to Falun Dafa and the persecution. I worked for hours on the speech trying to perfect it and had a lot of help from others as well. When I finally finished the speech, I was very happy with it. Not only was it fairly well - written, but I truly felt that it was imbued with the Compassion that only a Dafa practitioner could display.

As I stepped up to the podium to deliver my speech for Graduation, I felt a bit of nervousness. But that was just on the surface, and as I delved into my speech, all fear melted away and I just thought of Dafa and my audience. I could barely keep myself from tears as I concluded; I just felt so happy for everyone who had the great fortune to hear Dafa.

The speech had a powerful effect on everyone. I received many compliments; one of my teachers said that she would remember the speech for years. Earlier that day, a boy sitting behind me was cursing loudly and being disruptive. But after my speech, he kindly said to me, "Nice speech. It was awesome that you got up in front of that many people." I was really touched to hear that. Dafa cuts through all human notions and touches the heart most deeply.

Master Li said in his statement to the Nordic Fa Conference, "...every student should, in addition to participating in group activities, in his daily life fully take the initiative of a Dafa disciple, establish his own mighty virtue in the process of clarifying the truth, and do well on his own Dafa disciple's path. So in clarifying the truth, don't wait, don't rely on others, and don't just hope for changes in external factors." This statement struck me deeply and pierced my human notions about Hongfa. Before, I had thought, "I just live in a small town, and there are very few practitioners around. In addition, I am just 18 years old. How can I Hongfa?" These were all human notions, and completely invalid during Fa - rectification. We can all use different means to promote Dafa and clarify the Truth, in a group or individual setting. Part of my purpose of writing this paper was to share my understanding that no matter who or where you are, you can find ways to Hongfa and save sentient beings. Master said, "The Great Tao is formless."

I would like to end my paper with the poem "Smile." Oftentimes when I read this, tears come to my eyes. This poem has such boundless Compassion. It seems so perfect to me that the action Master performs in order to save us is not a wave of the hand or some words, but a simple, infinitely compassionate smile.

"Smile"

"I smile -- all beings awaken.

I smile -- Dafa begins spreading.

I smile -- the ferry sets off.

I smile -- all beings have hope."

Thank you Master! Thank you everyone!

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Chinese version available at http://minghui.cc/mh/articles/2001/7/24/13810.html

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