Photo of Li Shuzhen

I am Zhang Huilan，63-year-old, living in Dong’an South Street, Kuaidamao Township, Tonghua County, Jilin Province. Li Shuzhen, who is only 12 days older than me, was one of my closest friends. We were neighbors in our childhood. We got married in the same year, and gave birth to kids in the same year. We were as close to each other as sisters.

In March 1997, my first grandson was born in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin Province. So I went there to take care of my daughter-in-law in her confinement.

When I returned from Changchun in September 1997, I was astonished by the change of Shuzhen. She kept talking about her powerful Master Li Hongzhi, and how Falun Gong was able to eliminate karma and cure diseases, which made me very confused. I did not know how come my close friend changed so much in such a short period of time.

Later I learned from Guixiang, the wife of Shuzhen’s youngest son Zhu Feng who lived with Shuzhen and her husband, that Shuzhen was bored with life and began to practice Falun Gong shortly after I left for Changchun. She participated in group practice every morning. As time passed by, she felt refreshed. So she believed that Falun Gong was able to cure any disease with its magic power. Since then, she refused to take medicines or consult doctors. She devoted herself to learning and practicing Falun Gong.

I advised her to give up Falun Gong for several times, but she refused. On the contrary, she persisted, “Master Li said that medicine is a bad thing. All medicines are somewhat poisonous. Practitioners of Falun Gong should not take any medicine since medicines or medical treatment can do nothing but increase our karma, which is contrary to our goal. We could not regain our health unless we eliminate our karma by practicing and sitting in meditation. Practicing Falun Gong is the fundamental way to cure disease, while all of the other methods were completely useless.”

I knew clearly about the physical condition of Shuzhen. She was a valetudinarian that often suffered from headache, dizziness, palpitation, or shortness of breath. Therefore, she often took antihypertensives, which really work. But then she abruptly stopped taking the medicine, isn't it dangerous?

I went to a hospital in our town to consult Dr. Ding, who had treated Shuzhen. Dr. Ding said, “I know well about the old lady whom you are talking about. She was a frequent visitor of mine. She was a typical patient of hypertension. If she took medicines on time, her conditions would be surely manageable.” When I told him that Shuzhen had stopped taking medicine for a fairly long time, Dr. Ding was surprised, “If her hypertension is out of control, it may cause various cardiovascular diseases or even sudden death.”

Upon my return from the hospital, I discussed in private with family members of Shuzhen on how to help her. We eventually decided that Guixiang, the youngest daughter-in-law of Shuzhen, secretly put antihypertensive pills in the dishes cooked for Shuzhen. To hide the pills, Guixiang flavored the dishes with more condiment. Although it was somewhat inconvenient, it was proved useful and effective.

As time passed by, Shuzhen was so pleased that she asked me, “Am I right? The teachings of Master Li are rather effective. You see, I have not taken any medicine for more than two years. I feel younger and stronger. Nothing speaks louder than facts.” I smiled at her, but did not make any reply.

In July 1999, Falun Gong was outlawed by the government. As soon as I watched the news on TV, I hurried to tell Shuzhen to stop her practice. I advised her to take medicines on time because her practice was not able to cure any disease. But unexpectedly, Shuzhen made indifferent response, “Falun Gong is magic. I have not taken any medicine for these years. Isn’t it a real example?”

I could say nothing to the stubborn Shuzhen. I was afraid that she might refuse to take any medicine if I told her the truth. I discussed with her family members again secretly. We decided to let Shuzhen take medicines as before. We all believed it was useless to give her more advice.

During the following 10 years, under the care of Guixiang, Shuzhen remained basically healthy.

After the spring festival in 2009, Guixiang had to go back to her hometown Panshi County to take care of her sick mother, leaving their housework to Shuzhen. The task of putting pills in dishes was handed over to Shuzhen’s husband.

As Shuzhen's husband seldom cooked before, Shuzhen cast doubts on why her husband changed his attitude and often went into their kitchen. One day, when her husband was too hurried to put enough condiment in dishes, Shuzhen became alert about the flavor of the dish. Since then, Shuzhen didn’t allow her husband to go into the kitchen, which made it difficult to put pills in her dishes.
When we were pondering over the countermeasures, the most worrying thing happened.

On the morning of March 1, 2009, Shuzhen finished her breakfast and went to practice Falun Gong in the east room. About one hour later, her youngest son who was watching TV in the west room heard a sundden thud. He hurried to the east room, only to find Shuzhen lying on the Kang (brick bed) in a coma, foaming at her wry mouth. Her youngest son immediately called an ambulance, and sent Shuzhen to hospital. But it was too late. Even the doctors could do nothing with it.

Shuzhen did not reach the age of 60 when she died of cerebral hemorrhage caused by hypertension.