Requiring Oneself to do the Three Things Well

Recently, I read some practitioners’ experience sharing articles on the internet, which included the problems encountered at the Washington DC Fa¹ conference caused by the neglect of the cultivation of ones heart. The issues raised arose when Master² taught the Fa at the Washington DC conference, in which Master clearly stated that the end of the Fa-rectification will come about in the not-too-distant future. These issues and the lecture given by Master gather in my head that make all these unknown feelings well up in my mind.

Master always instructs us earnestly about how to cultivate, and reminds us of what we should improve upon when it is the appropriate time. However, some of us still can not compare him/herself with others according to the teachings nor do they require that they need to clearly understand the Fa in order to do better. Sometimes what they do even leads to the opposite result.

Master repeatedly mentions that sentient beings are relying on those who practice Falun Dafa, whether they can stay depends on how well we do. Of course practitioners are in the process of cultivating themselves and so we won’t be perfect. When we are lacking experience and yet we are shouldering a heavy load, to wholeheartedly do one’s best becomes the most important motive. But in my narrow understanding, in order to do one’s best we should look at how we can validate the Fa, how much can be understood by sentient beings, and also how we can look inward to get rid of our attachments.

To show the true facts about Falun Dafa, practitioners have even set up media outlets, making efforts in all aspects. But when different ideas occur that cause arguments, which can be seen as the inevitable problems and is a crucial element in our cultivation, some practitioners are unable to reach an agreement because of their individual attachments. Dafa work and individual cultivation are affected by the lack of a thorough understanding of the Fa² and the impracticality of the ideas.

Master tells us that the main thing we need to do at the moment is to save sentient beings, but at the same time individual cultivation should not be neglected. The three things studying the Fa, clarifying the truth and sending forth righteous thought all should all be done. Time is limited, why not make good use of the time to compare how we have studied and cultivated instead of wasting it on arguments? The Fa can pass though all levels, so can it be separated from reality? My understanding is that our ideas and methods we use are only tools to show the true facts about Falun Gong, but our hearts are the driving force. What we should argue about is whether our hearts are righteous instead of the methods employed. Living in a society with all kinds of variations with the addition of some unrighteous thoughts that still remain, we should measure everything according to the Fa when working with fellow practitioners, use our compassion to build up the bridge of communication, make allowances and encouragements for each other and always consider others first and give time to understand what fellow practitioners really think and what sentience beings want. In the whole process of finding the righteous ways and removing the unrighteous, we need to accommodate and correct ourselves unceasingly instead of creating arguments so as to just judge who is right or wrong. Once we find the righteous way, we can use whatever methods we need to achieve it. The more righteous it is, the quicker the task is accomplished. The quicker we are the broader domain we discover, during which our hearts and the effects of our efforts are improving.
Together practitioners can form a direct cultivation environment to supervise and help each other. If everyone insists on the Fa as our teacher, when a lot of righteous forces get together then the unrighteous thoughts will be eliminated; when we do not put ourselves in the Fa or neglect the importance of our tasks, the manifestation of overemphasising on and showing off individual action is very likely to occur. When treating others with compassion and tolerance and when we are able to communicate with others from the angle of the Fa, we can form one body and focus to create the strongest force.

At times some practitioners’ behaviours are no better than those who don’t practise. Been busy with work can be used as an excuse, while those who don’t practice wont even think like this. Our behaviour will be seen by those around us and may be frowned upon by others. If how we behave cannot even be differentiated from that of someone who doesn’t practise then how can we call ourselves a cultivator? Sometimes other practitioners dare not point out others shortcoming just because they are afraid that it might cause criticism if they do so, it actually indicates their righteous thoughts are not strong enough. But sometimes they will flatter someone with good result so much that it would make one become too engrossed, when the attachments are simulated, it will go to an extreme. Master will change any environment into a condition for us to cultivate. In reality, sometimes our media will be criticised badly by outsiders, but when we think carefully, gold will be shining no matter where it is placed, we will eventually be acknowledged if we are good. But if there is something that is inappropriate then there is the need to improve it. Some fellow practitioners say that the media shown today has variations that we do not need to follow. However, the operation and specific knowledge of producing and expressing media should be understood and employed. They should not be neglected under any excuse. Because the essence is how to deliver the righteous information to everyday people, it is not an issue of following others it is just that we need to be practical. To make the media yield well, how to deliver information in an effective way that can gain appreciation from and be welcomed by people, whilst at the same time be operated in a commercial way should be taken into account.

Even those who don’t practise will talk about reaching an agreement and meeting a standard. If these things are not taken into account, different ideas will come up leading to antithesis, criticisms and damage, which causes problems. We practitioners talk about measuring everything according to the Fa, in reality, we should not be subjective and forget to consider our goal and what we are trying to achieve. Been considerate and taking into account peoples thoughts is a manifestation of our compassion and wisdom. Subjects used in society are effective ways to do specific things, the regulation everyday people talk about is their to maintain the structure of the working force. If these types of methods accepted by people are missing, people might be less convinced. In fact, making sure our attachments do not interfere with what we are trying to do is vital. In society, the tools used are the same, but their thoughts aren’t. If people cannot understand and accept the way we work, they will not want to listen to us.

It is the greatest thing to be able to practice Falun Gong during this period of time, but who Master wants to save are all sentient beings from every level of the cosmos. Master understands the hardships and difficulties of every sentient being and so saves them with his greatest compassion. When we are cultivating, how can we neglect fellow practitioners and other people’s feelings and confusions, whilst always explain everything according to our own understandings? If we are unwilling to understand others, we won’t be able to help them. When we are participating in activities related to showing the true facts about Falun Gong in all aspects of the society, even though we are very busy, we still need to compare how we have studied and cultivated with other practitioners to help and encourage one another. Only in this way can we improve ourselves as well as been able to carry out our activities in a more profound way thus having a greater impact on society.

This is only my level of understanding; please kindly point out anything inappropriate.

Notes:

Fa - Universal Law, teachings of Falun Gong
Master- Respectfully referring to the founder of Falun Gong, Mr Li Hongzhi.