(Clearwisdom.net) Regarding the current Fa-rectification work, Master said, "Let me tell you this: next to your own cultivation, currently the most important thing is clarifying the truth..." "I think these three things are all I'll talk about. One is your Fa-study, one is sending forth righteous thoughts, and the other is about how clarifying the truth is extremely important." ("Fa-Lecture at the Conference in Florida, U.S.A.") In "Touring North America to Teach the Fa," Master also emphasized these three things, so we have to understand the Fa comprehensively and do all three of these things well, instead of over-emphasizing any of them at the expense of the others.
I would like to share my understanding of the relationship among Fa study, sending forth righteous thoughts and clarifying the truth. Fa study is the first priority. The purpose of studying the Fa is to guide us in cultivation. Only by studying the Fa well and truly understanding the Fa principles, can we in the course of genuine cultivation clearly distinguish between right and wrong, compassion and wickedness. Only then can we understand the boundless inner meanings of "Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance," so as to conduct ourselves according to the requirements of the Fa during our genuine cultivation practice, gradually improve our xinxing [moral character] and cultivation level, assimilate to " Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance" and eventually achieve Consummation. Therefore, Fa study is extremely important and the foundation of our cultivation practice.
Both clarifying the truth and sending forth righteous thoughts are magnificent missions and responsibilities that history has bestowed upon us Dafa disciples during this current time for participating in Fa-rectification and "Assisting Teacher in his journey in this world." ("Assisting the Fa" from Hong Yin) It is the most magnificent and the greatest privilege for us to eliminate the evil and offer salvation to sentient beings, and it is also a rare opportunity that Master has bestowed upon us. Sending forth righteous thoughts and clarifying the truth must be carried out from a basis of studying the Fa well. Without studying the Fa well and having a grasp of the overall situation, we would not be able to send forth righteous thoughts or clarify the truth effectively.
When it was mentioned that sending forth righteous thoughts was very important, some practitioners went to an extreme and even said, "Currently there is no need to clarify the truth anymore, all we need to do is stay at home to send forth righteous thoughts." This is actually a way of trying to cover up our selfishness and the fear of not willing or not daring to clarify the truth in the name of sending forth righteous thoughts. This is a grievously incorrect understanding and a result of not studying the Fa well.
The purpose of eliminating the evil factors behind the head of the evil is to end the persecution as early as possible, so that we can offer salvation to as many sentient beings as possible. Therefore, as long as the evil is not cleared out, we should not miss any opportunity to clarify the truth. "Currently the most important thing is clarifying the truth, because this is directly saving sentient beings, it's directly saving the people of the future, and it also demonstrates the magnificence of Dafa and Dafa disciples--in such a difficult environment you're still managing to save sentient beings." (Fa-Lecture at the Conference in Florida, U.S.A.)
Continuously sending forth righteous thoughts at the top of each hour to eliminate the evil elements that manipulate the head of the evil is truly a focal point during the current Fa-rectification. However, we should also realize that though it was the head of the evil that initiated this persecution in human world, the evil beings that are able to support it include many evil beings and deceived sentient beings. Therefore, clarifying the truth to help people escape from the lies they have been told is also a form of restraining the evil and saving sentient beings before the head of the evil is eliminated. Only by doing the three things that Master requires of us well simultaneously, can we completely eliminate the evil in the human world as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, we should avoid going to another extreme: "We have been sending forth righteous thoughts for quite a long time, so why has the evil not been eliminated yet?" We may even begin to doubt the power of sending forth righteous thoughts and no longer wish to continue. This is the manifestation of not trusting ourselves, and it comes from not firmly believing in Dafa and Master. We should truly believe in the power of righteous thoughts at all times and diligently send forth righteous thoughts at the designated times until the evil is completely eliminated.