It Is Our Attachments That Can't Take Criticism

There is a common issue among some practitioners--they get angry when they are criticized. Some practitioners don't lose their temper, but they still don't like to hear criticism. Some practitioners are only willing to listen to those who they think have cultivated well, but refuse to hear criticism from practitioners they don't respect or who they think still have many attachments. They have the mentality of, "How can you criticize me when you haven't done well yet?"

A classmate of mine who lives in a different city also practices Falun Gong. We have similar backgrounds and social statuses. I had practiced Falun Gong for many years before introducing it to her. When I point out her attachments, she listens to what I have to say and will correct her problems immediately. However, when a local practitioner from her area pointed out her shortcomings, she didn't want to listen. As a result, she didn't get rid of her attachments and the old forces took advantage of her gaps--she was sentenced to a year of forced labour. When I met the practitioner who pointed out my classmate's shortcomings, I found that what she said was all based on the Fa and pinpointed my classmate's problems. If my classmate had been willing to hear what the practitioner had to say and improve on the Fa, she might have avoided that tribulation.

Teacher often gives us hints via other practitioners or even everyday people. We should be humble and be willing to listen to anyone's criticism. When someone says anything about us, we should think it over and look within to see if we really do have that problem. Looking inward unconditionally is true cultivation!