(Clearwisdom.net) We have practiced Falun Dafa for many years now, but how many of us truly understand the Fa from the bottom of our hearts? Do we have only a basic conceptual understanding, or do we have a rational understanding the Fa?
When I first started practicing Falun Gong, I heard fellow practitioners say often that their diseases were cured, they were more tolerant, their families had become more harmonious, Dafa saved their lives, etc. There is no doubt that Dafa can truly change someone to become a better person, can cure illnesses and improve fitness, help one to pass tribulations and even extend one’s life. However, those capabilities aren't the main purpose for the emergence and dissemination of Dafa.
Teacher said,
“Dafa’s being taught in public demonstrates again the original nature of the universe’s living beings.” (“A Brief Explanation of Shan” from Essentials for Further Advancement)
Many practitioners demonstrate human notions even when they're
encouraging each other, such as, “Fa rectification has reached this
stage—we must persevere. Dafa cured your diseases, Dafa saved your
life. You must continue to practice.” Think about it; if Dafa
hadn't cured their illnesses, or if the Fa rectification hadn't
reached this stage yet, would we then just stop practicing? If we
practice only for the benefits, or we persevere only because the Fa
rectification is in the late stages, then we wouldn't be able to
persevere over a long period of time, nor would we be capable of
sustaining our beliefs through any test. Sometimes, our gratitude
towards Teacher and Dafa is also at the level of human
sentimentality, and we always stay at the level of conceptual
recognition. It is difficult to truly understand the profound
meaning of Dafa, the mission, and responsibilities of
practitioners. This may cause some problems in our cultivation.
Teacher said,
“If you are still unclear about what a Fa-rectification disciple is, you won’t be able to step forward in the current tribulation, and you will be led by the human world’s pursuit of comfort to 'enlighten' along an evil path.” (“Fa-Rectification Period Dafa Disciples” from Essentials for Further Advancement II)
Dafa is beneficial to individual practitioners and to human society as well. However, Teacher wants more for us. We all say that Teacher is merciful; however, no one will ever completely comprehend Teacher’s immense compassion.
Teacher said,
“What's called 'mercy' is my intending to let the beings of the old era be assimilated and become part of the beings of the new era. That's what I want to do.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Vancouver, Canada, in 2003”)
A life from the old universe wants to enter the new universe; this hasn't occurred since the creation of human beings, and was also unimaginable for all divine beings in the past. Today, Teacher wants practitioners to enter the new universe after assisting Teacher in validating the Fa, and additionally, bring along the sentient beings saved by practitioners through truth clarification. The fact that a being will be able to experience such an historic event is unprecedented. Therefore, Dafa practitioners shoulder enormous responsibilities.
We all know that we need to do the three things well during the Fa rectification period. Teacher clearly pointed this out, therefore, it must be right to follow his words. However, it's difficult for us to truly recognize the significance of doing the three things, and we may gradually perceive them as a task if we can't truly understand the deep meaning of Dafa from the bottom of our hearts. We might slack off as time goes by. Some practitioners have developed this incorrect state without knowing it. Only when we cultivate within ourselves, look inward when encountering conflicts and evaluate everything from the Fa, can we accomplish what Teacher requires and enlighten to more and more Fa principles. This way, we will truly understand the Fa and our own responsibilities, and won't be confused by all the illusions in this human world. This understanding allows us to properly position ourselves within the Fa.
Nothing happens without reason during the Fa rectification period. Everything in this universe will be repositioned. Teacher created us according to the standard of practitioners in the Fa rectification period, with the intention of preparing us to “assist Teacher to rectify the Fa”. Teacher’s compassion shines on us throughout the entire period of our existence. We must be more clear-minded, which will enable us to understand the magnificence of Fa rectification, do better in saving sentient beings and fulfill our historic mission.
This is my personal understanding. Please point out anything that is inappropriate.
