(Clearwisdom.net) As the semester began, we made use of the opportunity to welcome new students in order to introduce Falun Dafa and clarify the facts to them. Being a new practitioner who began practicing not long ago, I lacked confidence when we were preparing for this event. However, with veteran practitioners' support, I let go of my anxiety and carefully prepared for the event. I understand that any carelessness may leave a loophole for the old forces to take advantage of, and the predestined people may miss an opportunity to be saved. Therefore, I did everything meticulously, from applying for a venue to arranging the activities.
I left mainland China two years ago and came to the US to study. In these past two years I have experienced a tremendous change in my view of life and in my mindset. In particular, since I got to know Falun Dafa, my belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance has taken over my atheistic beliefs--the theory of evolution and the theory of struggle--which I was taught under the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) autocracy for over twenty years. The Dafa principles also have replaced my blind admiration for scientific and technological development.
Other overseas Chinese students have shared my experience. I constantly reminded myself that I should try my best to help them learn the facts. With such a thought in mind, I paid special attention to new students arriving from China. I took the initiative to hand out informational materials and introduce them to Falun Dafa. When I saw other practitioners treat all the new students equally, I realized my lack of understanding in this regard, and I no longer had a selfish heart for saving only Chinese people.
A practitioner pointed out that I spoke too fast when I talked to others and that this might frighten them away. So I calmed down and spoke slowly, with a smile on my face. I tried my best to be kind while introducing Falun Dafa and distributing materials to the students. After doing it this way, I noticed that they became patient and were willing to listen to my explanation and to take the materials. I became more and more confident, and I always smiled at students who passed by. If their eyes paused over the display boards prepared by the Falun Dafa Society, I immediately walked up to give them a copy of the information. For those that did not notice our display boards, I walked up to them and gave them a copy of the materials.
Several hours passed quickly. During that time, some Chinese students passed by. However, when they realized that I represented Falun Dafa, they hurriedly turned their eyes away, trying to avoid eye contact with me. I was a bit disappointed by this, but then, when I thought about it with a calm mind, I realized that I used to think and behave similarly. I should not be anxious when clarifying the facts to students from China; they should be given some time to adjust to the new environment. I believe that after they are in the US for a while, they will experience the difference between people in China and people in the US in terms of lifestyle, their ways of thinking, and their ways of dealing with problems. These students will naturally think about the deeper reasons involved.
Just at that moment, I received a phone call from a former classmate from my university days in China. He had come to the US just this year. I told him that I was welcoming new students, but I did not tell him that I was representing Falun Dafa. I thought that it would be easier to talk to him about Falun Dafa when we were face to face. Shortly after, he and another schoolmate appeared. They were surprised to see me wearing a T-shirt with the words "Falun Dafa" on it. I smiled and said, "I know what's on your mind, because I used to have the same thoughts you do." I began my talk about the changes in my thinking from prior to going abroad to after I was in the US. Then I explained to them about Falun Dafa and the persecution. I also mentioned that the CCP has launched a series of movements against different groups of people since it seized power. They patiently listened to me and they agreed with many points I raised. I realized that compared with two years ago when I first came here, the evil factors have been eliminated in large quantities and people have since become more rational and clearheaded.
I explained to my friends the nature of the Overseas Chinese Students and Scholars Association. I suggested that they should not limit their involvement to students and scholars from China, but that they should also associate with people of different cultural backgrounds, particularly with students from Poland and other countries that used to be socialist countries. That way they could better understand the disadvantages of the communist system.
I also understand that as we practice cultivation in ordinary society, we should conform to the way of ordinary people and be good people. So, after sharing with them all I wanted to let them know, I also told them how to adjust their study and life in the US, and I offered to help them settle in. My kindness naturally dispelled the lies and propaganda that the CCP had instilled in their minds about Falun Gong.
This was the first time that I had introduced Falun Dafa in a public manner since I began to cultivate. I previously found excuses not to do this: that new practitioners should study the Fa more and do the exercises more. I was reluctant to participate in projects that validate the Fa. Actually, it was because I had fear and an attachment to comfort. Through this experience I understand that being a Fa-rectification Period Dafa disciple, my personal cultivation takes place along with my Fa-rectification cultivation. Participating in Fa-validation projects does not delay my personal cultivation; on the contrary, it more quickly exposes my attachments and enhances my cultivation.
The above is my understanding. Please compassionately point it out if anything is inappropriate.
September 9, 2009
