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What I Know about Practitioner Xie
By a reader of Clearwisdom.net
(Clearwisdom.net) I came to know Xie when I renovated my house two
years ago. When I talked to the contractors, I found a young man among them who
was different. He had very good manners. After he learned that I surfed the
Internet, he showed great interest. I was impressed by his eagerness to learn
new things. I shared with him some knowledge of web-surfing and computer
applications in daily life, encouraging him to learn more. The business of
renovation needs to keep up with the latest developments in skills and
techniques. Many new designs and techniques need to be developed on computers.
Xie said that learning to use the computer was inconceivable to him. Since he
grew up in a poor family in a rural area, he did not have much schooling. Then
he told me something of his past. "I used to have a bad temper and blamed others when I was in trouble.
Later when I got a chance to read the books of Falun Gong, I was deeply moved by
the profound principles. Where does one's life come from? What is the purpose of
life? I found answers to those questions. I decided to take on the path of
cultivation. In the practice, I did change my bad habits and learned tolerance
in dealing with others. I quit drinking and smoking, and I learned forbearance
during hard times. Although there are quite a lot of profound ideas beyond my
comprehension, I have benefited greatly from those I understand. I just could
not understand why the Chinese government suppressed Falun Gong starting on July
20, 1999. So I went to appeal in Beijing. I was arrested and put in jail, later
transferred to Mianyang Forced Labor Camp. I suffered all sorts of hardships in
the labor camp and could not bear the mental and physical torture. Under such
circumstances, I gave in. I promised not to practice Falun Gong and finally was
released. When I returned home, my wife had divorced me and left. So I am living
with my elderly father now." Hearing his story, I said, "Life is short. If you have to suffer with a
clear mind, why not just live a blind, but safe life." He said, "It is
just because life is short that I want to look for something eternal." The next time I met Xie was last July by Binghe Riverside. He said, "I
saved some money and purchased a secondhand computer, and I planned to ask you
to teach me." I was glad and said, "That's good. I am retired and have
nothing particular to do at home. I can teach you for free." He was upset
and said, "When I went to a friend's wedding, the police ransacked the room
I rent, confiscated my computer, cash and account book which had about 2000 yuan,
and my cell phone." I said, "Why did they do that?" He said, "I had been to the
police department several times with other Falun Gong practitioners, asking them
to release the detained practitioners." I was surprised, "How
come?" He said, "I didn't do well in the past and I regret giving in
under pressure. When Jesus came down to the world to save people, his disciples
had the goal of going to heaven through cultivation. Yet the Romans initiated a
heartless persecution against Jesus and his disciples. Afterwards, the Romans
suffered several serious epidemics. People who were involved in the persecution
with the Roman rulers went through great pain. Isn't China today similar to Rome
in the past? Our Teacher said that we as cultivators have no enemies. We are
kind to all people." I said, "No matter what, you cannot throw
yourself in front of such dire danger." He said, "As long as we
cultivators behave righteously, I don't mind going to the police station to
clarify the truth to them. I will go and ask them to return my things."
Hearing that, I felt I had nothing to say. On the morning of July 7, when I passed by the police department, I heard
someone say that a young man was handcuffed by the police. He called out "Falun
Dafa is good" and was thrown to the ground, then dragged into a police van.
Hearing that, I felt my head begin to swell. Could it be that Xie has fallen in
their hands again? Later on, I learned that he was detained at the Custody
Center and was on a hunger strike for over ten days. He was transferred to the
Mianyang Labor Camp and sentenced to two years of imprisonment. It is hard for the people to know clearly what's happening in the society
right now. Having experienced so many political movements, especially the
Cultural Revolution, old people like me will not criticize, nor will we want to
follow others. Who is right and who is wrong? We will wait and see. Although I
cannot fully understand the principles Xie has enlightened to, as I have been
living a numb and blind life for a long time, I think highly of him. He does not
have a degree, but is eager to learn. Born to a poor family, he was well brought
up. When being ill-treated, he does not complain or get angry and is only
saddened for those who commit evil. As a young man, he has such a broad mind.
Isn't it precious? He has no personal or political agenda, only to search for the truth of life.
Facing the hardships and tribulations in life, he keeps on walking along the
path of his choice and is firm in his belief. That is some spirit that is far
beyond the ordinary, and I think it comes from the principles of
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance that he is cultivating.
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