(Minghui.org)
Continued from Part 1.
Editor’s note: The environment in mainland China is filled with Communist Party culture. Immersed in such an environment, one would gradually be influenced by Party culture without realizing it. This 8-part series explores some commonly seen problems among practitioners that may be attributable to the Party culture. We hope it serves as a reminder as we work to break free from the grip of the Communist Party.
Traditional Chinese culture promotes loyalty and compassion. According to Shijing (The Book of Odes), “The mandate of the heavenly principle has no end to its depth.” This remark tells clearly that we must abide by moral principles.
Ancient Chinese people paid attention to Zhongyong (The Doctrine of the Mean). However, that does not imply that we should not follow moral principles or turn into double-dealers; rather, we should fulfill our responsibilities and not go to extremes.
Recently, I found that I had not let go of many elements within me that are related to Party Culture. They include bad manners, jealousy, gossip, and so on. With those attachments, it is difficult to look within and improve. As time goes on, we may consider those notions a part of us and even further strengthen them. It is indeed dangerous.
Master said,
“Especially notable are the notions that one forms, or habits of thought that one forms, which make it very hard for a person to recognize when human thinking is unconsciously at work. And if one can’t recognize it, how is one to get rid of it? This is particularly challenging in the setting of China, where the evil Party has destroyed traditional Chinese culture and rigged up its own evil Party stuff instead—what we refer to as “the culture of the Party.” It’s indeed going to be hard to recognize the Truth of the cosmos when one uses the habits of thought bred by that culture. And one won’t even be able to recognize that certain bad thinking and behavior are at odds with universal values. If one can’t recognize bad thinking for what it is, then what can be done? There is no other way but to act according to Dafa.” (“20th Anniversary Fa Teaching” from Teaching the Fa at the Conference XI)
China has a long history, and its culture tells people to be modest and civilized even when one harbors a high ambition. But many of these cultural elements were lost during the past decades of communist rule.
By letting go of the Party Culture, we will be able to maintain a purer heart and do better in our cultivation.
From Confucius and other ancient sages in China, we can learn a lot about how to become a good person and a better person. Below are some examples:
* great capacity to be open-minded* paying little attention to material interest* ability to resist temptation and remain persistent* not showing off or being lazy* not having interest in fame or material gain
Continued in Part 3