(Clearwisdom.net) Heng-Liong Lin, a senior theologian, bought tickets for the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular held on January 27, 2009, in New Jersey way in advance, in anticipation of the show. He also invited his friends to come with him. After the show, he shared his profound feelings.
Dr. Heng-Liong Lin, a theologian, bought tickets for the DPA performance in New Jersey a long time ago. (Epoch Times)
In his opinion, "The joyful and peaceful dances were aesthetically pleasing to both the eyes and the mind. Through the format of the arts and dancing, the show conveyed the will of God. Using this form to resist inhumanity and violence is most powerful and effective. I know in what direction I should focus my effort in the future."
Dr. Lin said that he was very happy to see the two dance dramas, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution" and "Dignity and Compassion." He said, "These two dramas reflect people's spiritual pursuits and dignity at deeper levels. Good will be rewarded with good, and evil will meet with retribution. The two dramas are very powerful and touching; the peacefulness and goodness sharply contrast with the cruelty and violence."
Dr. Lin said that the performance allowed him to gain a much deeper understanding of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance: "Forbearance does not mean resigning oneself to adversity, letting others maltreat one at will, passively tolerating (the persecution), and not caring about social justice. Forbearance means genuinely safeguarding Truthfulness and Compassion; it means truly following (the principles of) Truthfulness and Compassion and protecting the dignity that man should have. Compassion means benevolence and is a realm in which, when seeing others suffering, one helps shoulder the suffering and assists others, which has the power to profoundly move people."
Dr. Lin said, "Our abilities are endowed by God," and he indicated the mankind needs to be responsible to God. The theme of the Divine Performing Arts productions is cohesive and seamless from the very beginning to the end. It inspires people toward kindness. Compassion is the most powerful force in changing the world. Dr. Lin said that the show went beyond the truth that people can see, and he could feel the will of God and the longing that people have deep in their souls.
Dr. Lin was once a pastor and teacher. He noticed that Falun Gong practitioners do not smoke, drink, or get involved in politics. "Falun Gong practitioners are most upright and they are concerned with the fate of Chinese people. When they are persecuted, they dare to face the totalitarian authority and resist the inhumane regime. They do not yield, and they let human dignity shine."
Dr. Lin said that his friends, who came with him, were also deeply moved, "They said they will learn from Falun Gong and work hard to resist the regime that is against humanity."
Dr. Lin, who holds a doctor degree in Theology, has lived in the US for over several decades. He earned three Master degrees. It was later that he chose to study theology. He was once a professor at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and is highly acclaimed for his accomplishments in theology. Many Christian organizations in Taiwan have invited him to give lectures. He is very concerned about social justice. Now he serves as the Chairman of the Overseas Taiwanese Pen Club of the Greater New York Region. He repeated, "When Falun Gong practitioners are persecuted, they dare to face the authority of the dictatorship, they do not yield, they maintain their human dignity, and they are the genuine guardians of Truth and Compassion."
He emphasized, "Morality is one of the important elements of the universe. The universe is harmonious and beautiful in the first place. Without morality, justice, and shame, the world can hardly exist. In this universe, human beings show their adherence to and promotion of morality. (Through watching the performance), I understand this principle that heaven has given us a very important responsibility, that is, we enrich the world through our lives in the human world."
January 29, 2009