A "Falun Gong'' Practitioner Feels Remorse

By He Li

``It is most gratifying to all people that the Chinese government has proclaimed `Falun Gong' as a cult, and punishes it according to law. We should not let `Falun Gong' disrupt the country and do harm to the people any more.'' So said Sister Duan, a retired teacher of the Children's School of the Jilin Polytechnical University. As a one-time practitioner of ``Falun Gong,'' Sister Duan deeply regrets believing in the cult, and feels fortunate that she has escaped from it. ``Now is the right time for me to realize my errors and mend my ways,'' she said.

Sister Duan, 70, served as a teacher for more than 30 years before her retirement. She was an excellent teacher enjoying a high reputation. After she retired, she practiced Taijiquan (traditional shadow boxing) and disco dancing every day to build up her health. She lived a happy life. But in the summer of 1995 she was persuaded to participate in a ``Falun Gong'' class, and began practicing it diligently. During this period, some people recommended ``Falun Gong'' books to her. ``Li Hongzhi is described as a god in the books," she said. ``Is this not superstition?'' Later a ``Falun Gong'' group leader told her not to tell anyone else about the practice site or who the instructor was. Sister Duan thought to herself: ``Why should we not tell the truth, since `Falun Gong' advocates truthfulness, benevolence and tolerance?''

Later, one episode that she saw with her own eyes aroused her suspicion. The husband of a teacher who was also a ``Falun Gong'' practitioner refused to send him to see a doctor when he fell ill. Seven or eight days later, the man died. However the teacher said that her husband had gone to the ``higher level,'' or that he had reincarnated as a child. Thereupon, Sister Duan made up her mind to stop taking part in ``Falun Gong'' activities. In 1996, when her husband was sick, she lost no time sending him to hospital. She herself consults doctors whenever she is sick.

In April 1999, she was urged by ``Falun Gong" leaders to go to Tianjin for a demonstration, but she refused to go.

Since the ``Falun Gong'' organization was banned, Sister Duan has taken an active part in studies organized by her school. She told this author: ``I have been a teacher all my life, educating people. But I was fooled by the cult, despite my many years of experience.''

Now Sister Duan, who has made a clear break with ``Falun Gong,'' is happy once more. She attends painting and calligraphy classes for retired cadres and has joined a choir organized by the school. Every day she practices Taijiquan and does other morning exercises to improve her health. Her life is rich and varied.

(Excerpted from the Chinese Women Daily, November 10, 1999)