Recollecting Master’s Fifth Lecture Series in Guangzhou, 1994

(Minghui.org) I had the privilege of attending the fifth series of Master’s Fa lectures in Guangzhou, China from December 21 to 28, 1994. To help save on students’ expenses, Master shortened the duration of the lecture series to eight days from the typical 10 days. These were Fa-teaching sessions. Master also implanted numerous energy mechanisms and substances for students. Any further reduction in time would have made this impossible.

Prior to this, my mother had already attended Master’s lecture series three times and benefited immensely. She had repeatedly urged me to attend. But each time, I used the excuse of being too busy to politely decline.

Back then, I had just graduated from college. I felt liberated from the constraints of years of schooling. As a full-fledged adult, I began to truly let loose. It was a time when the nation was just beginning to open its doors to the international community, and a flood of diverse cultures and information suddenly poured in—an era dubbed the “information explosion.” Hong Kong and Taiwanese pop songs played over loudspeakers on the streets, and the main topic of conversation was how to go into business and make money. I immersed myself completely in this social milieu, learning to smoke and drink, studying the etiquette of the banquet table, and mastering the art of building personal connections. I pursued these endeavors with unflagging enthusiasm.

I heard that this would be Master’s final lecture series in China, so I decided to attend this time.

Transportation infrastructure was still quite primitive 30 years ago, and mostly via road. Fellow practitioners pooled to rent a local minibus and travel from our hometown to Guangzhou. Two drivers took turns, driving continuously day and night. When we set out, the weather in our northern region was already bitterly cold and freezing. The roads had become slippery due to the snow freezing over.

Everyone was wearing their warmest clothing. The bus was small and old, and the heater only blew lukewarm air, so it was quite cold inside. We were packed in tightly, to the point of being seriously overloaded. We traveled for several days and nights, not stopping for overnight accommodation. During the day, we would briefly stop at roadside shops to buy a little food or prepare instant noodles. At night, we slept sitting upright in our seats.

I left home in a rush, but did pack some cigarettes. However, it turned out that no one else smoked. The people traveling with me had already begun practicing cultivation and abstained from smoking. Whenever we stopped to eat, I would step out to smoke a cigarette. My fellow practitioners were very tolerant of me. Sometimes they would simply watch and smile while I smoked.

There were two young men my own age, and I later learned they were successful businessmen. We chatted along the way. When we got to Guangzhou, we stayed at a hotel not far from the venue. We went to the venue together and during our free time, we also toured Guangzhou for the very first time, and admired the beauty of the city.

The lecture session was held at Guangzhou Gymnasium, a massive venue. There were up to 8,000 practitioners in attendance. Multiple television screens were set up outside the building to allow students to watch Master’s lectures in real time. When Master gave lectures, he simply placed a single piece of paper on the table and began to speak. The hall was remarkably quiet, with everyone listening to Master attentively.

On one occasion, prior to the start of a session, I saw Master entering the venue through the main doors, wearing a dark suit and a white shirt. He had a gentle smile, and was tall and commanding in stature. He moved with such a light, brisk step that any student wishing to keep pace would have had to break into a jog.

Eight days passed in the blink of an eye. I went through a profound transformation of both mind and body. My body was purified. When walking, I felt as though I were floating. My outlook started to shift, prompting me to re-evaluate the true meaning of life. I began the process of quitting smoking.

Master had just finished giving his final lecture. As the session drew to a close and the time came to leave the venue, we rose from our seats. Master stepped down from the podium and walked around the venue, with both arms raised high, performing a series of hand gestures as he walked. 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 practitioner 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.

I felt an overwhelming wave of profound emotion surging from the very depths of my being. It was an inexpressible gratitude, for all that Master has bestowed upon me. When I realized that I was crying, I immediately felt a sense of embarrassment. However, when I turned to look at my fellow practitioners on either side of me, I discovered that everyone else was silently shedding tears too.

Time flies. Our precious friendships forged during the most beautiful of times were truly worthy of remembrance. I hope that we will all continue to cultivate diligently. I hope that fellow practitioners who attended Master’s Fa-teaching lectures cherish these sacred, unforgettable, and precious moments. Let us bear witness together to this extraordinary journey, erasing the slander and misconceptions towards Dafa and Master, and restoring Master and Dafa’s name!