Some Thoughts about Selflessness

One day when I was working in a kindergarten, another teacher was busy writing notices to the parents before the classes ended. Since I did not have anything to do, I decided to sweep the floor. Since sweeping the floor was actually the responsibility of this teacher, what I decided to do would make others feel it was a compassionate action. When I was sweeping the floor, I started realizing that the mind-set that led to the decision was not pure. What appeared in my mind was my colleague’s appreciation if she saw my actions, and that she might then praise me for my help because it reduced her workload. Also in my mind was the thought that the kids in the kindergarten may have noticed my actions, and that they might think I was so kind-hearted that I was willing to help others. In short, what that appeared in my mind was selflessness only on the surface. I had done what “I” wanted to do– the starting point was “what benefits I can obtain out of it”. This was not true selflessness.

After realizing this, I recognize the gap between my character and the principles of the Fa. I know even better that I should strive to purify my own thoughts because our mind-intent has crucial influence on what we do. Whether we actually devote ourselves to saving sentient beings will be the key point in establishing an unadulterated path for future practitioners, and in ensuring the purity of the future cosmos.

The starting point is very crucial whatever we do during Fa-rectification. Even it is as simple as sweeping the floor for other people, our starting point should be pure. It should not be based upon the intention of obtaining others’ praise or pursuing personal gain and loss. In the process of clarifying the truth and saving the sentient beings, this is especially the case. Only by the true compassion emitted from inside our heart from Dafa cultivation can we move the sentient beings to see the truth, and to bring them a wonderful future.
The above is my personal understanding. Your kind comments are highly appreciated.

Translated from Chinese at: http://gb.yuanming.info/articles/200311/26096.html