(Minghui.org) In his teachings, Master has often stressed that Falun Dafa practitioners must study the Fa well, and only by doing so can we successfully fulfill our missions. Master also pointed out that some of the problems in our cultivation occur because we have not studied the Fa well.
Master said,
“The regions that have done well saving sentient beings and validating Dafa, and where great changes have transpired, are always places where people have studied the Fa well. And the Dafa disciples who have improved quickly are always those who have made Fa study a priority.” (“To the Australia Fa Conference,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III)
Throughout my twenty-odd years of cultivation, I feel it’s not easy to keep up with Fa study, as many things interfere.
Attachment to Doing Things
I realized the attachment to doing things is a major issue that distracts us when we try to read the Fa.
After the persecution started, I was one of the first practitioners who stepped out to clarify the truth to people in our area. Many practitioners thought I cultivated very well, and I was quite pleased with myself. I did not see the resentment, anger, and negative emotion I had towards the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
One practitioner pointed out that I was only doing things instead of cultivating myself, as I always had fierce arguments with my mother, who didn’t practice. I didn’t think arguing mattered and I failed to understand that it was a part of xinxing cultivation. The worst thing was that when I was angry, I could not calm down and did very little Fa study, let alone the exercises.
My mother also said that I was not engaged in spiritual cultivation but was involved in politics because she never saw me do the exercises. My mother was not the only one I argued with. I argued with anyone who disagreed with me. I was emotional, resentful and competitive.
For many years, I was driven by a strong desire to do things. I recently submitted several articles to Minghui.org. In the process of writing my attachment to doing things became stronger and I wanted to write more and write quickly. I could not calm down even during Fa-study or when I did the exercises. My mind was very active. I had one idea after another, and I could not stop writing.
Sometimes, I wrote for days. I did not read the Fa or do the exercises. I now realize that human emotions controlled me and I did whatever I felt like doing instead of arranging my time carefully.
When I wrote a long article, my ego expanded. But, when I noticed that my submissions were seldom published I was puzzled, thinking there was nothing wrong with my articles.
I later realized my problems. On the surface, I was writing articles to validate the Fa, but when I neglected Fa-study and the exercises, I had already gone astray. If I failed to rectify myself, the consequences would be dire. Having articles published does not mean that I’ve elevated in cultivation. I must do all the three things well. Studying the Fa well is the most important as this is the foundation for everything.
I also realized that behind my attachment to doing things was a strong attachment to human sentiment, such as a sense of achievement: I feel I’ve contributed and achieved something. Behind this is my ego, greed for achieving merit, and a desire to take shortcuts.
Interference from Thought Karma
I noticed that I easily spend one or two hours reading practitioners’ sharing articles, but always have trouble finding time for Fa-study. Even when I’m not that busy, I spend time on anything else instead of Fa-study.
Some practitioners said that when they read the Fa, they were totally focused and had a feeling of melting into the Fa. I was envious, as I seldom experienced this.
I now understand that Fa-study can directly eliminate the bad things in our minds, so our attachments and thought karma try their hardest to stop us from reading the Fa. We must reject this interference. Although reading sharing articles can also help us enlighten to things we are not yet aware of, it can never replace Fa-study, which is the most fundamental requirement for all Falun Dafa practitioners.
I used to think it was good enough if I could improve my understanding of the Fa by reading sharing articles. Later, I realized that if I did not study the Fa well and eliminate the bad substances in my mind, and if I did not improve my xinxing, my gong could not improve, and I wouldn’t be cultivating.
Of course, it is important to read sharing articles, but we must not go to extremes or make them the priority.
Interference from Atheism
Another element that blocked me from studying the Fa was my atheistic thinking. I paid more attention to tangible things and achievements and neglected the intangible “achievements” I gained from studying the Fa. There was also an issue of lack of faith in Dafa and Master.
I now realize that only by studying the Fa well can we change fundamentally, eliminate our demonic nature and change our nature into Buddha nature. We can never reach the Fa standards if we do things with human attachments. On the contrary, we will act according to the old forces’ arrangements or even go to the opposite side because of self-aggrandizement.
Signs of Not Studying the Fa Well
I think signs that one is not studying the Fa well may include insufficient Fa-study, inability to focus while reading the Fa, treating Fa-study as a task, not having 100 percent faith in the Fa, not using the Fa principles to guide one’s cultivation, or not applying the Fa principles in our conduct.
For example, when I read Zhuan Falun recently, I realized that I failed to take what Master said as true when he told us,
“There are still many other great cultivation ways in the Buddha School that are being passed down among people. Throughout history they have been passed down to a single disciple.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
I used to feel the idea of “passing down to a single disciple” sounded like something from a fairy tale. I had the same feeling when I read a line in Zhuan Falun,
“It has taken us many generations, going through extremely distant ages—if we were to mention the number it would be shocking, as a Falun is something that has taken so many ages to form—and you want to just spend a few dozen yuan to buy one?” (Lecture Two, Zhuan Falun)
Now I realize we must have 100 percent faith in the Fa to cultivate solidly.
A few years ago, even though I managed to spend time on Fa study and doing the exercises, I did not have a sincere or pure heart. As soon as I put the book down, I turned into an everyday person.
I recently became more focused when studying the Fa and began to see the Fa principles. I could feel my xinxing improving bit by bit.
I noticed that practitioners who have done well in Fa study are always pious towards Master and the Fa, treat others with humility, and believe Master is taking care of them. They can look at issues based on the Fa with calmness and rationality.
In contrast, those who have not studied the Fa well tend to emphasize everyday people’s ways of doing things and abilities and look at things and people with a human mentality.
Lessons from Failing to Study the Fa Well
A practitioner told me she didn’t gain new understandings when she read the Fa because she already knew the content. As a result, she easily became angry and often scolded her husband and children. However, she was very active in truth-clarification activities. A few years ago, she suddenly passed away.
One elderly practitioner often got into arguments with others. She said that she had strong thoughts about lust and always wanted to go out to do things. Whenever she sat down to study the Fa, she felt unsettled. She passed away due to sickness karma.
Another elderly practitioner paid attention to Fa study and made sure that she studied three lectures every day. She was also very active in truth-clarification work. However, she didn’t know how to look within and took Fa-study as a task. As a result, she often failed to maintain her xinxing. She also passed away.
I realized that one should never go through the motions of Fa study. The attitude one has towards Fa study is very important.
I encountered many issues in my cultivation; mainly caused by not studying the Fa well and having too many human attachments.
For many years, I could not see the principles when I read the Fa. When someone annoyed me, I could not control my anger even though I understood they were actually giving me de (virtue). Eventually, I realized that only by studying the Fa well can we see the power of the Fa.
Although I thought of the Fa principles when I came across issues, I was still unable to act appropriately due to my human attachments and the old forces’ interference.
For twenty years I could not control my temper. No matter who annoyed me, whether they were my family members, colleagues, or practitioners, I became angry. Arguments with my family members often lasted for hours, and I was still upset for days afterwards.
I also had a strong attachment to competitiveness in projects we were doing and I judged everyone. Because I used the projects to validate myself my xinxing kept sliding down instead of improving.
Only recently was I able to control my temper. It took me so long to change because I did not study the Fa well. Even though I do not lose my temper as quickly as before, I still get emotional. For example, I tend to go to extremes in my way of thinking and harbor negative thoughts.
When it comes to xinxing conflicts, I still like to deal with them through reading articles, sharing with others, or thinking hard instead of paying attention to Fa-study.
The recent Minghui editorial “Can We Distribute Master’s New Articles Among Non-Practitioners?” said, “On the issue of distributing Master’s new articles, practitioners in China not only need to follow Master’s arrangements but should also improve their xinxing and enlightenment quality (not through guessing or making assumptions) with the wisdom and guidance given by the Fa. Only when we calm down and seek answers from the Fa can we enlighten to the Dao little by little.”
Faced with problems and tribulations, we should “calm down and seek answers from the Fa.” This is most important. I must study the Fa with a pious heart every day and enlighten to the Fa principles to rectify myself accordingly. Otherwise, my cultivation would be like empty talk.
Attachment to Emotions
I realized that if we fail to study the Fa well, we are driven by emotions and look at things with human sentiment. Only by studying the Fa well can we let go of emotion and turn these “feelings” into compassion. All of our attachments are driven by human emotions.
When I could not see the Fa principles, I was driven by strong emotions, such as anger, a bad temper, love, and hate. Later, when I improved in Fa study, I saw many Fa principles. My human emotions gradually lessened, but I still had interference from sentimental elements.
For example, there are still things I like or dislike doing; there is a lack of consistency and self-discipline and an element of impatience. I realize that I must study the Fa more and well to turn emotion into rational reasoning and compassion.
Benefits of Studying the Fa with a Calm Mind
I used to feel rather unsettled when I read the Fa and could not see the inner meaning of the Fa principles. I wasn’t concerned and thought I was just letting nature take its course.
I was using a human mindset to view Fa principles, thinking that some of the contents were about other dimensions, and therefore, had little to do with improving our xinxing. I failed to understand the extraordinary miraculous power of the Fa.
I gained a lot after I learned to study the Fa with a calm mind, and would like to share a couple of examples here.
Once, when my son and I were studying the Fa, I became angry because he wasn’t paying attention when he read the Fa. My son responded to me with anger. I remembered Master’s teaching about what a practitioner should do when encountering conflict, and my anger immediately disappeared. I shared the principle with my son, and he was amazed by the power of Dafa.
I used to dislike another practitioner and felt annoyed with everything he said, as it felt if he was targeting me. I often argued with him.
When I was reading Zhuan Falun, a few lines in Lecture Six caught my attention. Master said,
“Qigong has been popular in society for a very short period of time. Many people hold stubborn views and always deny it, slander it, and reject it. No one knows what kind of mindsets these people have. They are so annoyed by qigong, as though it has something to do with them. Once the word qigong is brought up, they will call it idealistic. Qigong is a science, and it is a higher science. This happens because those people’s mentalities are too stubborn and their knowledge is too narrow.” (Lecture Six, Zhuan Falun)
I realized I couldn’t stand the practitioner because I had stubborn mentalities and my mindset was narrow. As a result, I always judged others using my limited concepts. Once I realized my problems, I let go of all negative thoughts about that practitioner and I felt light-hearted.
I realized that when I read the Fa with a calm mind, the Fa will indeed show me the specific Fa principles I need to enlighten to, guide me to pull through the test I am facing, and help improve my xinxing.
I understand that layers of Buddhas, Daos, and gods are behind every word, and the Fa always guides us with wisdom. If I feel that I’m repeatedly reading the same content, I’m not studying the Fa with a calm mind and not showing the Fa due respect and sincerity, so of course, I cannot see the inner meanings of the Fa.
One practitioner said, “Whenever I am in a difficult situation, I tell myself I might not be able to pull through by myself, but the Fa can take me through, and Master will help me. I keep studying the Fa, even if I cannot see hope. I always hold on to the Fa and never let go.”
Epilogue
Master said,
“Even now some people still can’t concentrate when it comes to reading the books. Even less should a person who does Dafa work use any pretexts to conceal his not reading the books or studying the Fa. Even if you do work for me, your master, you still need to study the Fa every day with a quiet mind and cultivate yourself solidly.” (“Towards Consummation,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress II)
We must not forget Master’s reminder and we must genuinely study the Fa well.
These are only my understandings. Please kindly point out anything that is not in the Fa.
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