(Clearwisdom.net) We understand from the Fa that the persecution happens mainly in Mainland China, and that Master has the plan to rectify the Fa in two steps. The persecution is relatively slight outside Mainland China where the cultivation environment is much more normal.
Those who are at the forefront of validating the Fa have felt a great deal of pressure in China. Facing real tests of life and death, some practitioners had the thought of “How nice it will be in the overseas cultivation environment!”
I think that every Dafa disciple in Mainland China should cherish their own cultivation environment. Why do I say that? Our cultivation is the path of human becoming divine. It is truly hard, and the biggest test that every practitioner will face is the test of life and death.
Master said,
“If you can let go of life and death, you’re a God; if you can’t let go of life and death, you’re a human—this is the difference.” (“Teaching the Fa in New York City”)
In a normal cultivation environment, a practitioner also needs to pass the test of life and death after a period of cultivation, although it may take a longer time in the less intense environment.
In Mainland China, the persecution continues even today. Every practitioner must face the real test of life and death, and the test of stepping forward or not stepping forward.
When a practitioner is able to realize through Fa study, the responsibilities of Dafa disciples and the need to save sentient beings, and when he goes out to clarify the truth and save sentient beings with righteous thoughts, in a sense, we can say that he/she has passed the test already, as that test of life and death is in real life.
Through Fa-study, we know the deep cause and the truth of the persecution. The ones who are truly being persecuted are the world’s people. As a Dafa disciple, we know that no matter what tribulations we go through, if we do things according to the Fa, Master will give us supreme glory and mighty virtue. Master also said, “China is the stage for carrying out this historic play ...” (“Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival”) We should certainly deny the persecution at every turn, but cherish the environment given to us for cultivation nevertheless.
Persecution doesn't exist outside the Mainland and practitioners there have a normal cultivation environment. Different practitioners might have different understandings about that. The ones who are not diligent will think it is a relaxed cultivation environment and develop the mentality of carelessness. The mentality of seeking comfort will then interfere with their diligence. In this respect, the severe environment in Mainland China could serve as a factor to drive the practitioners to be more diligent. For those who are not diligent, the relaxed environment outside the Mainland is a harder test. For those who are diligent, they could make good use of the relaxed environment. There's no external factors driving them, the practitioners build their righteous thoughts through Fa-study, and set strict demands on themselves to be more diligent.
Each diligent overseas practitioner has his or her own difficulties. Although the environment is relaxed, each has his own profession and circumstances, and has to balance well the relationships in society and family. Besides that, they study the Fa, do the exercises and send forth righteous thoughts every day. There's not much time left, and in order to participate in various projects, they have to get by with less sleep. While doing projects, they face various {{xinxing} tests. Sometimes these tests are harder to endure than the physical pains. There's no external restraint for them. They rely fully on their own righteous thoughts and might fall off if they ever relax in their efforts. In this respect, the overseas practitioners are also in a severe environment. It is a good environment for diligent overseas practitioners.
In fact, Master has made the best arrangements for all of us regarding our location. Mainland practitioners or overseas practitioners should all deal with their own cultivation environment with righteous thoughts and cherish it. Keep up Fa-study and being diligence! Let's fulfill our mission in the best way!
