Lessons from Prison: Respect For Beliefs That Lead People to Higher Standards

"This is an outstanding production and performance," said Dr. Yang, "It's very professional. Most of the traditional Chinese performances nowadays are simply entertaining but today's show included a lot of content about belief, which is different. Some people might not like that, but I personally respect belief.

"Some of the teachings in religions are benevolent and positive and I highly respect them. I believe the whole production and all the artists put in a lot of efforts and the results turned out to be great. I am very glad to see that."

Dr. Yang believes Western audiences need more context in order to fully understand some of the issues raised by the show. He said, "Several programs about the persecution seemed very real. What happens to Falun Gong practitioners in the prisons is very real.

"I know because I just came out of a prison in mainland China. The program needs to explain to the audiences and let them know the persecution is real and not an artistic exaggeration.

"Beijing persecutes democratic intellectuals and writers, dissidents, human rights activists, Falun Gong, and members of underground churches. We need to tell the truth to the world.

"We know if such persecutions happen in a big country like China and the world doesn't care and give attention, this can't be a civilized world."

Dr. Yang said, "I met many Falun Gong practitioners while I was in prison. I am a witness. Hence when I see people with religious belief, I always respect the belief no matter what kind it is.

"People decline quickly in the world and religious beliefs have the power to make people head toward a higher and more positive direction. This is why I was moved after I watched the show."

Dr. Yang Jianli, Chair of the foundation for China in the 21st Century, arrived in the United States for study in 1986 and received a PhD degree in mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley and a PhD degree in political economy and government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University.

He was on Beijing's blacklist because he participated in the Tiananmen democratic movement in 1989. In 2002, after not being allowed to go back to China for a long time, he tried to enter China with a friend's passport and was arrested on the charges of espionage and illegal entry. He served five years in prison and in August 2007 returned to Boston and reunited with his family.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.