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A Gentleman Upholds Righteousness Whereas a Base Person Only Knows Self-interest -- On the Preposterous Theory of "Being Funded by Anti-China Forces"
(Clearwisdom.net) In the last three years, Chinese dictator Jiang has deployed all the
political means at his disposal and the media as his mouthpiece in the persecution against Falun
Gong. However, the peaceful resistance of Falun Gong practitioners is becoming stronger and more
resourceful, especially in recent days when Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun successfully
broadcast truth-clarifying programs through the cable TV network, and when Jiang was chased like a
rat running across the street by overseas Falun Gong practitioners while on his trip to Germany. All
this has made Jiang's claim of "victory in the struggle against Falun Fong" nothing but a
laughingstock time and time again. Jiang's regime has now put forth yet another preposterous theory
of Falun Gong being "funded by anti-China forces." Recently, Jia Chunwang, China's
Minister of Public Security, accused the United States of allocating 20 million dollars to support
Falun Gong activities. On one hand, they want to find an excuse for their own incompetence; on the
other hand, they are trying to stir up feelings of jealousy and hatred in the general public. Some
people in the United States who have ulterior motives are also echoing this phony theory, and some
have gone even so far as to work out a detailed "budget." Lately, many people have written articles to point out how ridiculous this theory is. My personal
view is that the basis for such a theory can be summed up with one sentence: "A gentleman
upholds righteousness whereas a base person only knows self-interest." This saying of Confucius
is an important yardstick to distinguish a gentleman from a base person. Everyone knows the
difference between righteousness and self-interest, but in this worldly society, there are so few
who truly care about righteousness. To Falun Gong practitioners, their peaceful appeals, protests against the persecution and
truth-clarification are to safeguard their beliefs, to eliminate the evil in the world and to offer
salvation to sentient beings. Although people may not agree with their beliefs, we have to agree
that what they are doing is for the sake of righteousness and not for self-interest. Those Falun
Gong practitioners in Mainland China are fully aware that they would lose their self-interest by
stepping forward, but they still courageously come forward to appeal and to clarify the truth. They
still firmly hold onto their beliefs when suffering severe tortures in prison or forced labor camps.
Clearly, they have in their hearts only righteousness and no self-interest. Similarly, the continued
petitions in front of Chinese embassies and consulates by overseas Falun Gong practitioners and the
time and money they put into their appeals and protests on various occasions are also for
righteousness, and there is absolutely no consideration of self-interest. However, what those who work out a "budget" for Falun Gong can see is only
self-interest, because in their hearts there is only consideration for self-interest. They measure
everything with money and have no place in their heart for righteousness. They calculate the cost of
airfare and accommodations for those overseas Falun Gong practitioners who travel to other countries
to appeal for their beliefs, because in everything they do, they always calculate compensation and
allowances. However, they have forgotten that Falun Gong practitioners in China are willing to risk
their lives to appeal for their beliefs. Then why can't overseas Falun Gong practitioners appeal for
their beliefs without compensation and allowances? In fact, those who are calculating a "budget" should know that righteousness and
conscience are invaluable. The reason that Falun Gong, after suffering three years of persecution,
yet is still full of vitality is because no self-interest or violence can change the hearts that are
inspired by mighty virtues. If what sustains Falun Gong practitioners were not righteousness but
self-interest, then no matter how big a "budget" Falun Gong has, they would not have been
able to sustain themselves for so long. Falun Gong will continue to resist with courage, because the
power of pure beliefs is incomparable. |