“Respecting” vs. “Being Kind”

(Minghui.org) I often hear fellow practitioners say to people, “You will be blessed if you are kind to Dafa practitioners” or “You will be blessed if you treat Dafa kindly.” Based on our experiences, we know those statements can have a positive impact on people. Some were moved and changed for the better after learning the facts about Falun Dafa. But I have recently noticed some hidden issues with these statements. 

First, these statements can be somewhat ambiguous. For example, some police officers pretend to care about practitioners and pressure them to sign the guarantee statements during the “zero-out” campaign (a concerted effort to force every practitioner on the government’s blacklist to renounce Falun Gong). They say, “You can still practice at home after going through the formality of signing the paper.” In their minds, they believe what they are doing is “treating Dafa practitioners kindly.” 

Secondly, when we say someone is treating Dafa kindly, we are placing the person too high. From the surface meaning, the person is being gracious and generous, and Dafa is on the receiving end of the generosity. It is common for people to think that the one who gives is superior to the one receives. But no one can surpass Dafa. Although the statement itself is not intended to place non-practitioners above Dafa, it could be a psychological hint that leads to incorrect understanding of Falun Dafa. 

Master said, 

“When people show the appropriate respect and reverence toward Dafa as it manifests here in this world, they, their race, or their nation will enjoy blessings or honor.” (“On Dafa,” Zhuan Falun)

The Fa encompasses multitudes of meanings. My understanding of the above sentence from “On Dafa” is that a Falun Dafa practitioner or student should revere Dafa and a non-practitioner should also respect it. The word “respect” accurately and clearly specifies the attitude a non-practitioner should have concerning Dafa. Dafa is to be respected and ought be in the position of being respected.

In fact, persecuting Dafa practitioners is persecuting Dafa. If people respected Dafa, they would not persecute Dafa practitioners. Respecting Dafa and Dafa practitioners is how people are supposed to treat Dafa and Dafa practitioners. It should not be described as “being kind to Dafa.” No one should persecute Dafa. One cannot say that “not outright persecuting Dafa” or “persecuting Dafa less severely” is the same as “being kind to Dafa and Dafa practitioners.”

When we clarify the facts to people, especially to those who care about their own well-being and that of their family, I suggest we say something like “respecting Dafa can bring about blessings.” This is simpler and easier to understand and also in line with Master’s teaching. I think it is more appropriate. 

Editor’s noate: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare with one another in study, in cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)