Cao Li, born in 1941, is the retired cadre of Yongxing County Agriculture Bureau in Hunan Province. In 1990s, a ‘Chi Gong Mania’ swept the whole country and Cao Li had not been spared. He began practicing Falun Gong in 1997 and was addicted to it.
His younger brother Cao Liang was a farmer in their hometown (Huangni Town, Yongxing County, Hunan Province) who had a primary school education and was honest and plain. Before practicing Falun Gong, Cao Liang was diagnosed with high blood pressure and rheumatism. With regular medication, his diseases were controlled very well.
One afternoon in June, 1999, Cao Liang went to the County to buy medicine because of the poor health. He dropped by in his brother’s place and they asked about each other’s health which was very warm and kind. Cao Li saw his brother not feeling very well and asked if he was uncomfortable or not. Cao Liang then explained his diseases and the purpose of his trip. Cao Li said that he was practicing a kind of ‘Chi Gong’ called Falun Gong. Diseases could be cured only if someone practicing the movement everyday and it did not need to spend a penny. He also said that after practicing, he felt better with his diseases, such as bronchitis and arthritis. He felt refreshing and energetic.
Cao Liang admired his brother and after brother’s saying, he was exciting but also a little bit hesitating. Thinking of his family members and heavy farm work, he did not have time to practice. In addition, it was inconvenient that he lived in countryside while need to practice in the County. Cao Li knew his worries and persuaded him that practicing Falun Gong would not delay the farm work. Cao Liang could do farm work during busy season and come to town to practice and live with Cao Li when he has time.
Under Cao Li’s persuasion, Cao Liang agreed to have a try. After that, he began practicing Falun Gong.
Under the encouragement of his elder brother, Cao Liang practiced even more. At the beginning, he just went to town, practicing with his brother in slack season. Afterwards, he even gave up the farm work and did not live in his own home. Instead, he moved to Cao Li’s place and focused on practicing with his brother in order to make improvement.
Things continued like that, which annoyed Cao Liang’s wife. She always had quarrel with Cao Liang and eventually divorced him and remarried to someone else. Their daughter who was in middle school at that time was affected by the family issue and fell behind other classmates. She finished middle school quickly and went to other city to work. Since then, the two brothers kept practicing every day, learning Falun Gong, communicating experience and did not care anything else.
Falun Gong was banned by the Chinese government according to the law in July, 1999. The two brothers were very confused and kept thinking that the government made a mistake, Falun Gong would be redressed eventually. It seemed that they stopped practicing, but they kept learning privately and the disciple gathering group also turned to underground.
Few years later, conflicts also generated between Cao Liang and his sister-in-law because he lived in Cao Li’s place for a very long time without contributing anything to the family. Cao Li’s wife always thought to kick Cao Liang out. Cao Li couple had regular fight because of this and the family was a mess. Insisted by his sister-in-law, Cao Liang moved out from his elder brother’s place and rented a small room which was less than 10 square meters. He had to make a living by doing temporary jobs and receiving private help from his elder brother.
The tragedy eventually happened. On 12th of October, 2006, Cao Liang died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage while meditating in his rental room. He was only 53 years old.
Autumn and winter are the high-incidence seasons for high blood pressure. In order to control the disease, Cao Liang’s family members would supervise him to take medicine and measure blood pressure. However, after Cao Liang beginning practicing Falun Gong, he refused to take medicine and conduct health check. Although persuaded several times by his children, he did not listen. After his family was separated, he was alone and no one cared about him. Sometimes, his children, friends and relatives persuaded him to take care of himself and go to hospital to do health check, Cao Liang did not listen either. Instead, he told them with disdain that ‘I am a Falun Gong disciple and protected by the Dharmakaya of our Master. Taking medicine and injection would only postpone disease instead of curing. Only practicing Falun Gong could cure disease through eliminating the karma and receiving salvation. People like you guys who do not practice Falun Gong will be knocked out sooner or later.’
Obsessing with Falun Gong, Cao Liang believed that practicing Falun Gong to eliminate karma was the only way to cure disease. Cao Liang took Falun Gong as the only way to save life and practicing was the best medicine. He also thought learning Falun Gong could lead him to the ‘Road of Heaven’. Because of his lower education, Cao Liang just practiced some movements at the beginning and did not fully understand the contents in Zhuan Falun. He could only get little knowledge and a general idea of the book. After practicing a certain period, Cao Liang told Cao Li that the symptom of dizziness caused by high blood pressure had reduced and he thought Falun Gong was really good. Cao Li also said that it was the good effect of practicing Falun Gong and encouraged him to practice even harder.
Younger brother’s death had a big influence on Cao Li. Under the help of his company and anti-cult volunteers, he gradually understood the evil nature of Falun Gong and completely escaped from practicing it. He then lives a normal life. However, the wounds in his heart left by Falun Gong can never be healed. Now, he always immerses himself in the painful memory of losing his younger brother, telling everyone that it is him that killed his brother and ruined his family. Falun Gong is a sword that killing people without spilling blood.
