(Minghui.org) To commemorate World Falun Dafa Day, every year Minghui publishes articles from practitioners around the world. These include sharings about how practitioners have benefited from the practice, consistently improved their moral character by looking within, and raised awareness. While reading this year’s articles, Japanese practitioners found them inspiring and helpful with finding gaps in cultivation, as well as being more diligent.
Ms. Hasegawa was deeply moved after reading these articles, and admired practitioners’ strict discipline with following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and their calmness while facing challenges.
She said, “Especially in the article, ‘Everyone Silently Cried in Awe,’ the scene of Master’s lecture in Guangzhou left a deep impression. When the session was about to end and the time came to leave the venue, Master stepped down from the podium and walked around with both arms raised high, performing a series of hand gestures. The author wrote, ‘Although I could not interpret the meaning of Master’s movements, I could sense a powerful energy permeating the entire stadium. Waves of intense energy surged forth, enveloping every single person present. I could see nothing with my physical eyes. Yet, at that moment, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I simply could not hold them back.’
“That was a deep appreciation for everything given by Master that is hard to describe. Practitioners in China and abroad have different cultivation environments, and different obstacles to face and overcome. But I deeply feel that no matter when or where, Master’s grand benevolence is equally illuminating us all. Whenever I think about this, my heart is filled with appreciation.”
When Ms. Hasegawa read the article, “Dreaming of Returning to My True Home in Heaven,” she was surprised to find many similarities between the author’s life experience and her own. She said, “When I was little, it was also difficult for me to fit in with those around me. I did not know what to say to other people. So I often read novels alone, immersed in a world of fantasy. I thought that I came from the moon, and would one day return to my hometown in the sky. My parents used to call me ‘the child that likes to dream.’
“Because of this, when I first read Zhuan Falun, I felt as if I had obtained a copy of ‘an ancient manuscript recording the arcane secrets of alchemy,’ and thought: ‘I have found such an amazing thing.’ Since I was little, I vaguely knew that ‘I would not actually die.’ This thought was confirmed, and I felt very happy.
“I have now cultivated for 16 years. However, in this swirling clamor and chaos of ordinary society, I gradually forgot that initial sacred feeling at the beginning. I also forgot the innocence that the author of the article had. To this day, I cannot say that I have truly done the three things well every day. Amidst the various conflicts and tribulations that Master arranged for my cultivation, I have not treated them as opportunities to upgrade, and missed precious opportunities time and time again.
“But this time, while reading these articles, I remembered that initial thought I vowed as a beginner: ‘I will cultivate diligently, and follow Master to return to our true home together.’ Starting today, I will correct my heart, recall those original aspirations, and cultivate diligently and solidly!”
After reading the articles, Ms. Ishibashi said that she was moved by each one, and able to see her own shortcomings. Several of them left a deep impression on her.
In the article, “Humility, Compassion, and the Story of the Six-Foot Lane,” Ms. Ishibashi reflected on the short poem that describes the spiritual realm of the ancients: “Sending a letter a thousand miles away just for a wall, would it matter if you gave in three feet? The Great Wall still stands today, but where is Emperor Qin Shi Huang?”
The author of the article was able to gracefully make concessions while facing seemingly unreasonable unfairness. During conflicts, she thought: “Master asked us to be better than ordinary people. I’m only here in this world for a short time. I should not be bothered by this... Master teaches us to be kind and tolerant! They did not think of our family, but I have to think of them. It is an issue of how I conduct myself.” It is evident that Falun Dafa is a highly virtuous practice that can change hearts, purify souls, and correct conduct. The author used concrete actions to validate the greatness of Dafa and Master.
Ms. Ishibashi said, “Comparing myself with the author, even though I can let go when it comes to personal interests, at the time it is still hard to achieve a true cultivator’s forbearance, completely without anger or grievance. Although I study the Fa, it often seems that I am reading the Fa, but not assimilating to the Fa. Reading these articles was also a process of comparing in studying, comparing in cultivating, finding gaps, and improving myself. Going forward, I will definitely pay attention to truly cultivating, and become a qualified Dafa disciple.”
Ms. Tanaka shared her thoughts after reading the article, “A Business Owner’s Journey of Adversities, Struggles, and Blessings.” The author’s childhood was filled with illness, pain, suffering, and hardships. The article read, “Later, more Falun Dafa practitioners joined the company. They were all social elites, highly skilled, diligent, upright, selfless, and honest in their conduct and work. Whether in sales or management, they were respected by their colleagues. No one in the company spoke ill of Falun Dafa behind their backs anymore. Everyone felt that the Falun Dafa practitioners were role models. Customers also had complete confidence in their technical skills, service attitude, and product quality. The feedback was always very positive. In this materialistic society, Falun Dafa practitioners are like a clear mountain spring, so pure and pristine, like flowers quietly blooming in the field, adding a touch of vibrant life to the world.”
Ms. Tanaka said, “When I read this, tears were falling from my eyes. I deeply felt that Dafa disciples’ words and actions are the truth. The protagonist obtained the Fa, followed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, had his body purified, and became healthy. His family, friends, and everyone around him saw Falun Dafa’s purity and greatness in him, and many decided to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. Predestined ones then obtained the Fa one after another.”
Ms. Tanaka continued, “This article touched me a lot. Because when I first started reading Zhuan Falun, before I had finished reading it for the first time, the CCP started persecuting Falun Gong. I then put the book down, and attended the wedding of a family member in China on New Year’s Day in 2000. Among the numerous guests were two Falun Dafa practitioners. Their kindness, honesty, integrity, and virtuous character left a deep impression on me. I wanted to practice Falun Gong too, and be like them. After I came back to Japan, I couldn’t wait to find Falun Gong, and then stepped onto this sacred path to returning to the true origin, along with my husband.”
After also reading “A Business Owner’s Journey of Adversities, Struggles, and Blessings,” Ms. Xu’s first thought was that she again felt the wonders of practicing. Dafa is able to change a person completely and inside out. Because the author practitioner began to practice Falun Dafa, his long-term “resentment” gradually disappeared toward his parents, the driver who caused an accident, and others whom he had hated for years since he was little. He no longer blamed them, and truly walked out of resentment, improved his xinxing, and discarded his attachments.
Her second thought was that even if a person does not practice Dafa, as long as they think well of Dafa and practitioners, and choose the right side, they will have good fortune. Before the author began practicing Dafa and was running a company, because he was kind to practitioners, he received blessings, and also was able to obtain the Fa himself.
Her last thought was recognizing how the author was not low-spirited during sickness, diligently cultivated, and passed an illness tribulation. At first, he still sought medical treatment while suffering from sickness karma, but he truly overcame the tribulation through firmly cultivating Dafa, and believing in Master. Not only did all his illnesses and pain go away, but his moral character also improved. He thus used his personal experience to validate Dafa, as well as assist Master to save more sentient beings. His whole spiritual journey was precious.
After reading this article, Ms. Xu said: “If today I encountered the same tribulations this practitioner went through, would I be able to believe in Master and the Fa, and cultivate diligently and solidly like he did?” She was grateful for this sharing, as it helped her see her own shortcomings. From now on, she wishes to achieve the state: “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating, examine each and every deed, accomplishing is cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)
Ms. Shinohara shared her thoughts after reading the article, “My Business Philosophy.” She said, “While operating the business, the author treated every person as a sentient being to be saved. He was not attached to making money, and was able to often think about the best course of action based on the other person’s standpoint. He was not attached to fame or gain.
“When someone expressed appreciation, he did not think about personal gain, and responded by saying he was only following Master’s teachings. At the same time, he also introduced Dafa to people. Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance were naturally and calmly put into practice. He had no skepticism at all. No matter what happened, he would remain unwavering, and used the opportunity to validate the Fa.”
Ms. Shinohara also talked about the artwork in “Calligraphy: Divine Grace.” She said, “Traditional Chinese culture is expressed through these characters, “Divine Grace” or “Master’s Grace”—I can see in this calligraphy that the brushwork was fluid and unconstrained, representing a sense of vast, expansive space. It’s excellent.”
Ms. Kiyomitsu shared her thoughts after reading the article, “90-Year-Old Woman’s Miraculous Experience: Four Encounters with Master.” She said, “This is the experience sharing of an elderly Chinese practitioner who saw Master for the first time at the Beijing Oriental Health Expo, and not only was her long-term gastritis cured suddenly, but her grandson’s sickness was also cured.
“The article reads: ‘While most of my classmates, colleagues, and relatives of a similar age have already passed away, I remain vigorous in good health. I can take care of myself, and my life is carefree.’ After reading this sharing, I deeply felt her appreciation for Master. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears.
“During cultivation, I am often interfered with by negative thoughts. But through reading this article, I remembered my inspiration when I first obtained the Fa. I also recalled how Master protected me, even before I started cultivating. I hope that I can be like this elderly practitioner, and participate in activities that introduce Dafa to the public, and let more people be saved by Dafa.”