(Minghui.org) After reading the article on the Minghui website, “The Risk of Not Recognizing Fundamental Mistakes”, I found that I agree with the author.
In the article, the author discusses the situation of certain practitioners who have been imprisoned due to the persecution of Falun Dafa: “After being released, such practitioners may not be diligent in their Fa-study, and unable to recognize where they went wrong. When others reminded them to write solemn declarations, they did it without fully recognizing their previous mistakes. Instead of calming down and studying the Fa, they frequently hurried to keep up with the Fa-rectification and were eager to work on projects so as to make up for losses caused by their detention.
"As to the cause that led to the 'transformation' during detention, or what attachments made them believe in the defamatory propaganda, these practitioners did not think about it. They also did not realize that the statements they made were sins against Master and Falun Dafa. By writing or signing those documents, they had betrayed Master and Dafa.”
The author continued, “If one cannot fundamentally understand why 'transformation' is wrong, no matter how many things he or she is doing, it is superficial. Those old forces will not stop interfering and this practitioner could face a highly risky situation.”
I also was forced to write statements saying that I would stop practicing Dafa at a brainwashing center. After my release, I submitted a Solemn Declaration and rejoined the Fa-rectification to save people. During the first few years, I worked with other practitioners doing the three things and remained diligent. After moving to a new area, however, I gradually slacked off. In combination with the more relaxed environment, I relaxed in my cultivation and more and more of my attachments surfaced. Because of fear, I dared not step forward to tell others about Falun Dafa. The interference to my Fa-study was also severe, and I could not overcome it. While reading the above article today, I suddenly gained several new understandings. I think that Master also helped me.
I now know where my problem is. First, I did not calm down to sincerely search for the fundamental reason that led me to be “transformed.” Though I did not specifically write things defaming Master and Dafa, because I could not handle the pressure, I wrote statements saying I would stop practicing and interacting with other practitioners. I was actually hoping to bluff my way through and thought that I had not defamed Master and Dafa. On this fundamental cultivation issue, I did not look inward. Instead I pursued answers externally and was resentful of those thugs who “transformed me. I did submit a Solemn Declaration indicating that I remain determined in cultivation, but this was just a superficial expression of determination, and I did not really dare to think about where I went wrong or face how much loss I had caused. When filing a lawsuit against Jiang Zemin, the former communist party leader who started the persecution of Falun Dafa, I thought about my issues but still did not deeply reflect on these fundamental issues, or how serious they were. Nor did I actively eliminate the negative substances created during the vicious detention, in that evil field. Therefore, I could not break free from the old forces' interference.
On the surface, I was arrested for distributing materials to officials at my workplace after they defamed Dafa openly during a large-scale meeting. When looking back, I know it was because of my human notions. I did not have a pure heart to safeguard the Fa or save sentient beings. Instead I had fear, resentment, as well as attachments of competitiveness and showing off. Behind these thoughts was the pursuit of fame. Because I was validating myself instead of the Fa, the authorities arrested me and took me to a brainwashing center.
During my detention, I knew that “transformation” was wrong and kept resisting it. I did that because I was afraid that all of my cultivation would end up in vain. In other words, I could not let go of life and death and was safeguarding my own interests. Facing feigned kindness from officials and sentimental pressure from my family, I gave in. On the surface, I did that to reduce the harm to my family members; in reality, I did not want to lose the home that provides safety and comfort. I was relying on my family and took this human life, which is akin to a temporary stay at a hotel, as my eternal home. That led me to betray Master and Dafa, who truly protect us and save us.
With this filthy mind, I very easily incurred persecution and was not qualified to hold the title of a Dafa disciple. In Essentials for Further Advancement, Master said,
“Dafa can save all beings. I do not object to anyone coming to learn it, and in fact I have been teaching Dafa to all beings. The key point is that deep down inside these people do not regard me as their true master. Their purpose for learning Dafa is to use it to protect things deep down inside that they[1] cannot let go of, things in religion, or God. This is an act of plagiarizing the Fa. The intention of using Dafa is itself an unforgivable sin.” (“Dafa Cannot be Used”)
Because I could not let go of fame, material interests and sentimentality, I tried to exonerate myself by bluffing my way through cultivation. This is a manifestation of the communist party culture and is something a Dafa practitioner should not do. It not only brought disgrace to Dafa and harm to sentient beings but also left a stain on my cultivation that can never be erased. I had been unable to properly balance my relationship with Master and Dafa due to a strong attachment to self and breeding demons in my own mind.
In another article published on the Minghui website, “Singing the Praises of Master and Dafa (With Master's Comments)”, the practitioner wrote, “During the period of degeneration and destruction, the old cosmos's beings still have Buddha nature. However, while the great firmament is in the period of disintegration, no being can escape it, and that fate is inevitable. So as for the old cosmos's beings' Buddha nature, it is impossible to bring them any hope of sustaining their existence. Master came, bringing with Him the most original, perfect and all-encompassing Fa, and entering into this period of the cosmos's history that is already close to the stage of disintegration. This forged the fate of all of the beings in the old cosmos, as well as the complete basis for the beings that are able to enter the all-new cosmos. It was Master who brought the hope for life to the old cosmos's beings, and it was Master who granted to the old cosmos's beings the possibility for them to enter a future that has no connection to their past.”
The author also wrote, “For today's Dafa cultivators, how they understand Master and Dafa, and how they truly steadfastly believe in Master and remain steadfast in Dafa--this is an extremely penetrating, complex and serious issue.” … “'Breaking away' from Master and Dafa, being disrespectful to Master and Dafa, denying Fa-rectification and Fa-validation--no matter how people use fancy words or excuses to twist around and justify this behavior--it is wrong. Even when looking at it with the old cosmos's principles, it is totally wrong, and there are solid, concrete losses being suffered by the person's own life.”
Assisting Master with Fa-rectification is our wish and an honor for us from Master. If one does not have a clear understanding of Master and Dafa, and sentient beings, the consequences could be very serious.
In Essentials for Further Advancement, Master wrote,
“No matter how much work a person in charge has done among everyday people, he is working for Dafa out of his own will. The success of his work is only a manifestation among ordinary humans. It is the mighty power of Dafa itself and the specific arrangements made by my Law Bodies that enable people to obtain the Fa and spread the Fa widely. Without my Law Bodies doing these things, even protecting the people in charge could hardly be ensured, let alone spreading the Fa widely. So don’t always think of yourselves too highly. There is no fame, self-interest, or official titles in Dafa, but only cultivation practice.” (“A Heavy Blow”)
After so many years of taking detours in cultivation, I came to understand that we need to truly understand the Fa on a deeper level. Only in this way will we have respect toward Master and the Fa. By cultivating according to the Fa, we can immerse ourselves in the Fa and become a particle of the Fa. Only then will we walk a righteous path, a path arranged by Master.