(Minghui.org) Motivated by being responsible to the Fa and to other practitioners, I felt the need to write about a few things I've noticed and share them with you. These are my personal understandings. Please correct any inadequacies.
The Symptoms of Sickness KarmaMany practitioners say that in the face of persecution they were able to escape imprisonment because Master helped them to manifest symptoms of being ill, so they failed the required physical and were released. However, the manifestation of sickness karma does not validate Dafa. We tell people that Dafa has an amazing effect in keeping us healthy, that after practicing we are free of illness. So why do you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or heart disease when you encounter persecution? Is this validating Dafa? Many of us like to follow examples, but we forget that cultivating ourselves and fulfilling our mission is the basis of our cultivation.
If we say that we have omissions that are being taken advantage of, then we can't use sickness as an excuse to get released, let alone treating this as an example to follow. Otherwise, isn’t this a bit like a side path cultivation? It does not reflect the mighty virtue of Dafa.
When we encounter this situation, we should analyze whether we are unclear in this regard. Master said, "True cultivators have no illnesses, since my Law Bodies have eliminated them." (“Explaining the Fa for Falun Dafa Assistants in Changchun” in Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa). Do we really believe in Master and Dafa? Even if we do believe, is it one hundred percent?
When some practitioners said that they developed sickness karma so they could be released from prison, have we subconsciously accepted this as an example to follow instead of the Fa? Are we validating the Fa or just trying to get released from prison? Is this upright behavior? Did we realize that this selfish thought prevented us from upholding the dignity of Dafa?
What is cultivation? If we can really be calm and steadfast, really let go of self, and truly put the Fa above everything else, people will see the beauty of Dafa, admire Dafa, and be saved.
We should let go of our attachment to life and death. We should put aside our fear of death and deny the persecution. Tribulations are opportunities to cultivate our xinxing, look inward, and have compassion for others. We should maintain righteous thoughts and not allow people to commit wrongdoings against Dafa. We must also have righteous actions - we must make sure that we are not retaliating against people when they persecute us. Instead we should be compassionate and kind. Only by exhibiting the beauty and sacredness of Dafa can we truly save people.
When some practitioners are kidnapped and persecuted, with a shout of “Falun Dafa is good”, they were able to disintegrate the bad factors and avoid vicious beatings. Some moved the police to tears. Some persecutors stopped committing crimes and even secretly began helping us. However, when some practitioners shouted, “Falun Dafa is good” they were subjected to even more vicious violence.
Why are there completely different results? Although we can't see the karmic relationship behind it, we should reflect on this. What exactly is our motive when we shout, “Falun Dafa is good?”
If our motive is to validate Dafa, are we compassionate enough? Are we trying to avoid persecution, or are we trying to prevent sentient beings from committing crimes? Do we have a mindset of fighting, resentment, and contempt for those who are persecuting us? Were you emulating other practitioners' behavior by shouting? Some practitioners are steadfast and can let go of life and death, but if human notions or selfish interests are mixed in, it does not meet the standard and may not completely disintegrate the negative elements. Therefore, the results are different.
True CompassionMany practitioners have talked about compassion on Minghui.org, and their understandings are very good. I'd like to add that we need to be clear what it means to be truly compassionate, especially when we are resolving conflicts. Are we protecting people or defending the Fa, do we look at the problems with human notions, or do we look at problems using the Fa's principles? I feel having an understanding of true compassion requires a solid foundation of studying the Fa.
Only by studying the Fa more and clearly understanding the Fa's principles can we truly cultivate diligently. When there is interference, conflict, or persecution, if we are not clear on the Fa's principles, it's easy to get stuck in human notions and not enlighten.
From my experience when we can't tell whether what we're doing is right or wrong, we should think about whether what we're doing is in line with Master's teachings. If we can do this I think we can pass the tribulation. We need to be compassionate and kind. If we are steadfast but do not have compassion, it's still an omission, and we may not save people.
Our righteous thoughts should be clear and firm, and we should handle any interference with wisdom. We must conform to ordinary society, be rational, sober, kind, and not be misunderstood. Otherwise our behavior may affect whether people are saved or not. There are no small matters in cultivation.
These are my personal understandings. Please kindly point out any inadequacies.