(Minghui.org) I started memorizing the Fa after I read Teaching the Fa at the Assistants’ Fa Conference in Changchun. However, my attempts were selective and on and off. I truly started to memorize the Fa systematically in 2003.
I have memorized ten Dafa books over the past fifteen years: Zhuan Falun, Zhuan Falun Volume II, The Great Way of Spiritual Perfection, Essentials for Further Advancement, Essentials for Further Advancement II, The Essentials of Diligent Progress, Volume III, Hong Yin, Hong Yin II, Hong Yin III, and Hong Yin IV. I have also memorized the new articles except for the lectures at Fa conferences.
As I recite the Fa, every word appears in my mind. It is no different than reading the book for me.
We all know the benefits of memorizing the Fa, but why can't some practitioners do it even though they want to? I think it's mainly due to fear, that is, fear of perceived difficulties. Memorizing the Fa is not difficult; the difficult part is the human attachment. Where there is a will, there is a way.
My rationale is based on two things. One is that this is what Master asks of us. As disciples, we should follow Master's requirements. The other is that Master said in “What is Cultivation Practice?” in Essentials for Further Advancement: “Why do I tell you to study, read, and memorize Zhuan Falun? To guide your cultivation!”
My understanding is that the true objective of memorizing the Fa is to guide every remark, thought, and behavior of mine. If I have the Fa in my heart, I can reference the Fa whenever issues come up and use the Fa to help guide my actions. I find that memorizing the Fa is not difficult if our standpoint is righteous.
How can we do it? Below are some of my experiences.
First, we should memorize the Fa calmly. We need to do it with a tranquil mind. I usually memorize the Fa from 6:30-10:00 a.m., immediately after morning exercises and sending righteous thoughts. I find my mind clear and free of other thoughts during this time. As a result, it is easier to memorize and remember the Fa. I usually go out to clarify the truth after noon.
Of course, we are not talking about tranquility on the surface. The key is xinxing. It's about eliminating human attachments. If more attachments are eliminated, the mind is more tranquil.
Second, we should understand the Fa as we memorize it. It's faster to memorize the Fa when I understand it. I know that the speed of memorizing the Fa doesn't necessarily mean anything. What's more important is to persevere in doing it.
The reason we should memorize the Fa is to have an ever-present Fa compass to guide our cultivation. However, I find that I tend to slow down on parts that I don't understand well.
Third, make the effort repeatedly. The Fa covers various levels. Even if I have remembered the Fa on one level, I may not be able to remember all the words as they pertain to another level. I have memorized Zhuan Falun about 30 times. I was able to consistently remember the entire book after the 10th time.
Cultivation covers various levels. Each level has its own manifestation of the Fa. Therefore, I memorize Zhuan Falun continuously. It's the same for other Dafa books. I spend over three hours every day memorizing the Fa. It takes me 20 days every month to refresh my memory of the ten books and other new articles that I've memorized. I then read other Dafa books the rest of the month.
Fourth, memorize the Fa while cultivating solidly. The more solid our cultivation is, the higher the level of our xinxing and the stronger our memory when it comes to the Fa. For example, it is easier for me to memorize some sections in Zhuan Falun such as “Transformation of Karma,” “The Issue of Killing,” and “The Issue of Eating Meat” because I have deeper understandings of these issues. As my cultivation advanced and my xinxing elevated, I found more ways to memorize the Fa.
Fifth, perseverance is very important. Memorizing the Fa requires a strong will and stamina. We cannot be afraid of hardship, especially during the early stages. Sometimes I couldn't remember even one paragraph after two hours and I wanted to give up. But I forced myself to continue and shook off all the laziness. Once I broke through, I enjoyed the experience of reaching another level, and it became easier to break through. I usually study the Fa while memorizing the Fa. Of course, this only applies to the ten books I have memorized. For other books, I still read them from cover to cover.
Sixth, make steady progress step by step. Some people may be able to memorize an entire book in a short time, but it is quite hard for others. We need to go through the process. For example, the first time I memorized Zhuan Falun, I did it paragraph by paragraph. I would move on to the next paragraph even if I found in a short time that I had forgotten the previous paragraph.
I memorized two paragraphs at a time during my second attempt, and page by page the third time. Eventually, I memorized Zhuan Falun chapter by chapter.
The process of memorizing the Fa is a process of cultivation and elevating our xinxing. Looking inward becomes second nature after committing the Fa to memory for a while. As our xinxing improves, more Fa principles reveal themselves, and it becomes a positive cycle of reinforcement.
Memorizing the Fa is also a process of assimilating to the Fa. It's not just the surface layer of particles. Molecules, atoms, electrons, and even more microscopic layers in my body are all memorizing the Fa with me. I can clearly feel that countless lives in my cosmic body are all memorizing the Fa.
Sometimes when I am about to memorize the Fa, I can feel that endless beings in my body are quietly waiting for me to start and waiting for their lord. All my layers are assimilating to the Fa and elevating as one body. This will also effectively suppress bad thoughts.
Memorizing the Fa is also a process of eliminating karma and cleansing the body. Memorizing the Fa helps with xinxing cultivation as well as karma elimination. It also enables us to study the Fa anytime, anywhere. I relied on the Fa I'd memorized while I was imprisoned for my faith for three years.
I wrote this article both to share my experience and offer encouragement to my fellow practitioners. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.