(Clearwisdom.net) continued from Part 1: http://clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/6/9/125908.html
The Third Phrase: Cultivation of Character
“Whereas, The City of Doral recognizes Falun Dafa as an advanced exercise and meditation practice of mind and body that is based on ancient wisdom, improves energy circulation, and emphasizes the cultivation of character by following the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance
Whereas, Falun Dafa has helped to preserve human traditions such as honesty, courtesy, loyalty and unselfishness and has also helped numerous people turn away from drugs, alcohol, violence, and other bad habits, leading them to pursue more meaningful lives."
These above words are taken from a proclamation issued on May 13, 2011 by Juan Carlos Bermudez, Mayor of Doral, Florida.
Proclamation from City of Doral, Florida
It further states, “May 13th, 2011 marked the 19th anniversary of Falun Dafa and the City of Doral is pleased to join in celebrating this distinct practice that encourages people around the world to improve their health, calm their minds, and deepen their understanding of life and humanity."
Many people have experienced the wonders of Dafa and are living testimonies to these words of high praise. Below are two examples.
An article entitled “Experiencing the Beauty of Dafa and the Moral Improvement that Comes from Cultivation” explains how a Beijing woman improved her relationship with her mother-in-law due to Falun Gong’s moral guidance. Here is her story.
My mother-in-law is very dominant in our home. I have a sincere and tolerant personality, which was formed growing up with my family. But even so, I could not get used to her behavior after I married my husband and moved in with his family. She often said bad things about me and even told me to get out of her home. Someone told me the things that she said about me behind my back, and I felt so wronged. I was so angry that I began shaking. Although I did not say anything in front of her, I did speak poorly of her behind her back. When I talked with my co-workers or my own family about how “bad” she was, I could go on and on and couldn't even stop myself.
Once I started practicing cultivation, I let Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance guide my thoughts and actions. I realized that in order to resolve the conflicts between my mother-in-law and me, I must search within and cultivate within.
I was shocked at what I found. Measuring my actions against Dafa, I was actually pretty “bad.” First of all, I lived in their home for a long time but never paid them. My reasoning was that they had substantial earnings and did not need money. On the other hand, we were poor, and I was doing all the housework - shopping and cooking. But in reality I was taking advantage of them. Secondly, we behaved quite badly in their home. My child screamed a lot, and my husband and I also argued loudly from time to time. This prevented made my mother-in-law from resting well and I did not even feel sorry about it, but instead often thought about how troublesome she was. Third, in my mind I always looked down upon her. I felt that she was selfish and greedy. Compared with the Fa, all of my wrongdoings really made me feel quite ashamed of myself.
I knew that “Accomplishing is cultivating” (“Solid Cultivation” from Hong Yin), so I immediately corrected myself. Not very long after I began practicing Dafa, we were assigned housing and moved out of their home. Although we don't live or eat there anymore, I continue to give them money every month, and have done so for over ten years. Although they don't need extra money, I feel that I should make up for what I owed them in the past. Also, whenever I get good food or other nice things, regardless of whether I bought them myself, or they were given to us from work, I always first give them to my mother-in-law, and then to my child if anything is left. Lastly, I deeply and genuinely respect my mother-in-law. I confess my past wrongdoings to her whenever the time is appropriate and ask for her forgiveness. When I see her virtue being displayed or if she has done some kind things, I sincerely praise her and she always smiles happily.
But to my surprise, not long after I had corrected myself, my mother-in-law's attitude toward me also changed 180 degrees. She smiles whenever she sees me. She cooks good food for us whenever we go there and often complains that we don't visit her enough. I never hear anything mean or harsh anymore. Her neighbors, relatives, and friends all have such great things to say about me. I was shocked by Dafa's power and Master's compassion. I assimilated into the Fa on this matter, and everything changed and is so much easier. Just a few days ago, I heard my mother-in-law say, “My daughter-in-law treats me better than my own daughters.” If I would practice Dafa, how could all this be possible?
(Full story: http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/5/27/125572.html )
Falun Gong also helps the community by making people more honest. Another article entitled “Only a Teacher of Lofty Character Will Produce Students with Lofty Character” talks about one person who returned money to the owner.
In June 2004, a local TV channel ran the story of a person who returned money she had found on the street. Ms. Peng was revered as a person of lofty character because she found 68,000 yuan on the streets and returned the money to its rightful owner without receiving any token of appreciation in return.
I am the Ms. Peng in the story. However, the TV station did not reveal that I practice Falun Gong. On June 9, 2004 I was on my way to my mother’s home after lunch when I noticed a red plastic bag on the streets. I opened it only to find bundles of bills in the bag. I never thought about keeping any of the money. It was scorching hot in June, but I stood there waiting for the owner to show up.
About 30 minutes later a man in his 40’s showed up. He pushed his motorbike along the road while searching around on the ground. I approached him and asked, “What are you looking for?” He answered in an evasive manner, “I am not looking for anything in particular.” I asked, “Are you looking for this bag with money in it?” He nodded repeatedly, “Yes. Yes. Yes.” I handed the money to him and asked, “Check if all the money is there.” He counted the bundles of money seven times and confirmed, “Yes. 68,000 yuan. I was on my way to the bank to make a deposit. I didn’t know my satchel had a hole and this bag just fell out of my satchel.” He said excitedly, “Thank you!” Next he produced 100 yuan and asked me to accept it as a token of appreciation. I smiled at him and said, “I don’t need your money. I practice Falun Gong. My master asked us to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to become better people. We are required to be thoughtful of others. No loss; no gain. I will not take one penny from others. On the other hand, I would not have been able to do this if I had not practiced Falun Gong. I might have taken the money if I had not been practicing Falun Gong.”
The man and his wife decided to write a thank-you letter and send it to a local TV station and ask them to praise such a noble action I have taken. They even showed me the thank-you, in which they described that I am a Falun Gong practitioner and that I returned the money only because I follow Falun Gong’s teaching. The story quickly spread in my area. It became a local sensation. Several days later two reporters talked to my mother who said, “Falun Gong practitioners are all like her. Only a master with lofty character will produce disciples with lofty character.”
(Full story: http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/5/20/125405.html )
The Fourth Phrase: Popular Around the World
“In 1992, Mr. Li Hongzhi (referred to respectfully by practitioners as “Master” or “Teacher”) first taught Falun Dafa publicly in the city of Changchun, China, and then continued to lecture all across the country. Today, Dafa is a practiced and cherished by over 100 million people in over 100 countries, and has received a plethora of honors.” (From Certificate of Recognition, Houston City Controller Ronald C. Green, issued on May 13, 2011)
“Falun Dafa is practiced in more than one hundred countries including China, other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, most countries of Europe, Canada and the United States.” (From Proclamation, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter M. Corroon, issued on May 13, 2011)
Since Mr. Li Hongzhi gave lectures at the Chinese Embassy in France in March 1995 upon receiving invitation from the Chinese ambassador, Falun Gong started spreading overseas.
Yellow highlighted regions indicate where Falun Dafa is currently practiced
Steve, a railroad engineer in Boston had used drugs since he was fifteen. He experienced the nightmare of drug addiction and tried countless times to quit. Everything failed. His youngest son unfortunately got addicted to drugs, too. But Steve and his son miraculously quit using drugs and regained a happy family through Falun Gong practice.
Steve and his family
Steve said, “Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are able to unlock something deep in your psyche. It is so powerful!” Soon, Steve's son started practicing Falun Gong too. He not only quit using drugs, but also experienced other great changes. Steve said, "He quit swearing, smoking, cheating and all his other bad habits."
(Full story: http://clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2009/8/14/110019.html )
Renee, a young woman living in Adelaide, Australia was classified at birth as mentally challenged and had a deformed and bent spine with a fused lumbar region, causing a lifetime of acute pain. She was unable to stand for more than a very short time and could not walk.
After practicing Falun Gong with her mother, Renee started to walk for 20 minutes a day, and her feet and back have only slight discomfort at times. Renee read the book, Zhuan Falun and gained huge understandings and insights. Her mother writes, “What more evidence of the power of Falun Gong is needed? None for us, as we live this beautiful miracle every day, thanks to the love and compassion of Master Li.”
(Full story: http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2004/9/27/52854.html )
Falun Gong’s main book Zhuan Falun has been translated into more than 30 languages and can be downloaded free of charge from www.FalunDafa.org. Falun Gong is now practiced in more than 100 countries and regions.
Practice sites can also be found in major cities in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Greece, France, Ukraine, and other European nations and countries in South America and Africa, and the number continues to grow.
