(Minghui.org) After reading almost all of the articles from the 9th China Fahui on Minghui, I deeply believed that my cultivation state had fallen behind fellow practitioners' in China. Here are a few of my thoughts to share and to urge myself to be more diligent.
In “Assisting Teacher in Saving Sentient Beings on the Long Path of Cultivation” a practitioner wrote: “Every day I am in the mindset to save sentient beings. As long as I enter into such a mindset, which I can sense, I am highly efficient at saving people. Just a few sentences are then enough to successfully persuade a person to quit the CCP [Chinese Communist Party].”
It is seemingly just a few simple words, but I can feel the practitioner's belief in Teacher and the Fa from this sharing. Not only has this practitioner enlightened to the Fa principles, but he also acts in accordance to them. It made me think on where my mindset really is.
A couple of years ago, I had a conflict with several practitioners. I didn't put in any great effort in doing Dafa work or in my cultivation, and I often complained and criticized others. Even though I had given my time to assist with Dafa projects, study the Fa, do the exercises and send forth righteous thoughts, I often still felt that I was not on the Fa. If I do not walk on the path arranged by Master to cultivate myself and save sentient beings, then I will be walking on the path arranged by the old forces. I was ashamed of myself.
In another article, “Seeing Others’ Strengths and Recognizing My Weaknesses,” the author wrote: “The Chinese character 'Bi' (meaning 'compare') actually has a deep meaning. However, the CCP culture twisted its meaning into 'fighting, competing, and taking advantage of the weaker.' Because of this, I was once confused when I read Teacher’s poem “Solid Cultivation” in Hong Yin. I thought, 'Isn’t cultivation about eliminating the attachment to wanting to fight? Why do we need to compare?' I suddenly became clear when I was reading the Chinese characters. The 'Bi' character shows two people standing next to each other, each with his hands conjoined on his chest and bowing to the other person. I instantly realized that 'Bi' is a depiction of cultivators respectfully gathering to study the Fa and also carries the meaning of cooperation.”
If I had not read this paragraph, I would not have understood the true meaning of the character “Bi.” In my dealings with practitioners, I often cannot stop comparing myself with others and I also have the attachment of competitiveness. Studying the Chinese language under the Communist education system, one cannot correctly comprehend the true culture that gods left for humans. If we do not come to understand this, it will actually hinder us from understanding the Fa. I realized that traditional Chinese culture can help us get rid of the Party culture that has been instilled in Chinese people and help us to assimilate to the Fa.
I was once hesitant as to whether to teach children traditional Chinese or simplified Chinese, as I had only learned the simplified Chinese in school and there are many traditional Chinese characters that I don't know how to write. I now firmly believe in teaching traditional Chinese, and have found that the process of teaching is also a process of clearing out the Party culture that is rooted deep within me.
In “Knowing One's Place and Playing the Role Arranged by Master,” the practitioner wrote: “Master discussed 'loyalty' and 'justice' in two of his lectures. How can we ignore them? The divine beings arranged one dynasty to demonstrate justice, and another dynasty to demonstrate loyalty. Loyalty and justice are so important in human history. People have sacrificed their lives to become and remain noble. Then it is even more meaningful for practitioners during the Fa rectification. In this evil persecution, Dafa requires us to maintain our righteous belief no matter what we encounter. If we can be loyal, then even if facing death, we will never betray Master or Dafa.”
Whenever I shared with a practitioner as to why we need to understand traditional Chinese culture, I often couldn't express myself clearly according to the Fa. It was because of my understanding of “loyalty” and “righteousness” was one-sided, and was that of the Communist belief. I thought that loyalty to a fatuous and self-indulgent ruler was a blind loyalty. But according to Chinese history, when an evil minister ruled the state and general Yue Fei and his son were facing the loss of their lives, they could still maintain righteousness.
When Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swore to be brothers during the period of Three Kingdoms (AD 220–280), they showed their righteousness when they went through fire and water toward a common goal. To modern day people, it is just a story, and this form of behavior is rare to find in today's society.
Master said,
“The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things.”
(“Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference”)
When I shared my thoughts with a practitioner with whom I had a conflict, she was able to accept my understanding and suggestions. I think it is because I was very clear in my mind. As such, what I said would not have the slightest criticism or blame, and instead my words were positive and full of good intentions. As a result, they could lead to cooperation and walking on the path of saving sentient beings.
Thank you fellow practitioners in China for your sincere sharing. Thank you, Master, for compassionate salvation!
Category: Improving Oneself
