(Clearwisdom.net) Teacher's recent article, "Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World's People," has again pointed out the importance and urgency of clarifying the truth of Falun Dafa and the persecution, and the great responsibility and historical mission Dafa disciples shoulder during the Fa-rectification. In the article, Teacher clearly tells us, "Each must come out and clarify the truth, bringing it to every field and valley, mountain and hill, not omitting a single area where there are people." (It is important to note that in the past Teacher seldom directly told disciples specifically what to do.) Over the last few years, Dafa disciples have not done enough in validating Dafa and saving sentient beings, and there still exist many problems and shortcomings among practitioners. However, when speaking to practitioners, Teacher seldom criticized or made harsh remarks; and this time is no different, as this article is full of hope and encouragement for Dafa disciples, as well as full of great compassion toward sentient beings. However, Dafa disciples should consider this article as a "heavy hammer" and "Fa-drum" referred to in these lines of Teacher's poem: "Reminded to be diligent by the strike of heavy hammers, the beat of the Fa-drum wakes up deluded people." (Hong Yin II). Practitioners who have done well in the past should not let up; they should strive to be more diligent and do even better. Practitioners who have not done well in the past, or who have not stepped forward, should wake up and treasure this last opportunity.
Directly clarifying the truth to people can answer their specific questions, thus eliminating any doubts, as well as the evil's poisonous lies. Meanwhile, sending righteous thoughts, and the benevolent energy field surrounding Dafa disciples can also disintegrate the unrighteous elements in people's minds and the evil's interference and control on people in other dimensions. Some practitioners have done large amounts of Fa-validation work, however they later developed a sense of contentedness and slacked off as a result. Some practitioners have done other forms of truth-clarification work, but they seldom clarified the truth directly to people. Of course, all the different forms of truth-clarification are necessary. Dafa practitioners should still do well what they have been doing, including coming out to explain the facts of Falun Gong to people. Many people who will be in the next group of disciples are waiting to listen to our explanation of the truth so they can then start practicing cultivation. Many people still don't understand Falun Dafa, or do not have a correct understanding of Dafa, and many people are still deluded by the evils' lies. Perhaps a few words on our part will change their fate and also that of the numerous firmaments and countless sentient beings linked with and represented by them.
To a Dafa disciple, clarifying the truth permeates every aspect of our lives. Everyone we come in contact with in our daily life, work, and every occasion, or who we run into by accident, is the focus of our truth-clarification efforts. Even more so should we take the initiative to talk to our relatives, friends, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors. Weddings, funerals, class reunions, and visits to relatives and friends are all good opportunities for clarifying the truth. When clarifying the truth, we should take the initiative to bring up the topic of Falun Gong; we should not wait to talk about it until someone brings up Falun Gong related issues, or we will probably lose many good opportunities. Once we lose these opportunities it is difficult to run into the same ones again.
At this moment, time is pressing. "History is about to enter a new phase." ("Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World's People"). Dafa practitioners should have a sense of urgency in their mission, and should no longer move at a leisurely pace. We should seize all opportunities to save sentient beings. Meanwhile, we should be clearheaded and rational, and should not pursue quantity unilaterally or just be satisfied with ourselves, thinking, "I've already talked to people." We should also pay attention to the quality and effect of our truth-clarification. Whenever we clarify the truth to one person, we should put forth our best effort to help that person understand the truth.
Whether the effect of truth-clarification will be good or bad has a lot to do with Dafa disciples' own situations. If a Dafa disciple cultivates well and has few attachments, his or her field of righteous thoughts will be strong, the statements made will be more powerful, and the effect of truth-clarification will be better. Teacher tells us, "... both new students and veterans alike, should let go of their long-standing human attachments and start to seize the day and comprehensively save the world's people." ("Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World's People"). Sometimes, existing attachments and human mindsets held by Dafa practitioners have hindered truth-clarification efforts or have impacted the effects of truth-clarification. In these cases, when we clarified the truth, we were making judgements; when we dealt with people of different social classes, occupations, educational backgrounds, and ages, we did not treat them all the same. We were willing to talk to some people but reluctant to talk to others. However, the most important hindrance is the mentality of fear, which is the main reason why some practitioners have waited so long and still dare not step forward. Actually, at present the evil has been greatly diminished, therefore it cannot have any kind of big impact. Moreover, people have become increasingly clearheaded. As long as we have strong righteous thoughts, we will not have major security issues.
As a matter of fact, it doesn't matter what a person is like on the surface. He or she has come here for the Fa (1), so in the eyes of a Dafa disciple, everyone should be equal and should be the focus of our truth-clarification efforts and salvation. I once met someone who was disabled as well as a little mentally impaired. One day she suddenly stopped by my home. A thought came to me: isn't she here to hear to the truth? So I explained the truth of Falun Gong to her. To my surprise, she was able to completely understand what I said. When clarifying the truth, some practitioners have concerns or other human mindsets. Some practitioners feel embarrassed. Some have been "transformed" under torture and brainwashing, or have made bad remarks about Falun Dafa before, so they are worried that if they make truth-clarification efforts people may criticize or point fingers at them behind their backs. These are all human mindsets that practitioners should be aware of and should eliminate when clarifying the truth. Some practitioners' family members are reluctant to let them clarify the truth due to safety concerns and emotional attachments, and sometimes they even interfere. Fellow practitioners should send righteous thoughts more often to clean the environment at home, and do more to clarify the truth to family members in order to help them understand the truth and establish their own righteous thoughts.
When clarifying the truth, we should also pay attention to our standpoint, which should be based on compassion and on the goal of saving sentient beings. Our efforts should be completely for the sake of letting people understand the truth and should be completely without any personal pursuits. Only in this way can we establish mighty virtue. This can only happen naturally when fellow practitioners do well by following Teacher's requirements for Fa-rectification, rather than by being attached to or pursuing a result. If we base our actions on the standpoint of our own demands, our minds won't be pure when we clarify the truth. This will not only impact the effect of truth-clarification, but will also push people away. For many everyday people, once they think that you are pursuing some goal and are not simply clarifying the truth for their own good, they will immediately discard your comments, and will no longer listen to you even if you explain it to them later. This kind of impression is hard to rectify, and perhaps this person will lose the opportunity to be saved simply because of your mentality of pursuit.
Some practitioners have not done well in Fa-rectification, some have never stepped forward, some have made huge mistakes that they do not want to amend, and some are still enlightened along evil paths to varying degrees. Teacher's article, "Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World's People" is another big wake-up call. As long as you still consider yourself a Dafa disciple, you do not have any reason or excuse not to follow Teacher's words and to take action. This is also your last opportunity. "Only when you follow Master's requirements are you validating the Fa and cultivating yourself as a Dafa disciple, and only then are you a true Dafa disciple." ("Be Clearheaded").
There are still some practitioners who have given up cultivation practice, who no longer believe in Dafa, or who have even turned to the opposite side. As a being who once practiced Falun Dafa, this is indeed pitiful and sad. The consequences he/she faces are terrible. However, Teacher treasures each and every being, especially beings who previously practiced Falun Dafa. Teacher is merciful to them and has never abandoned them. Teacher has given them many opportunities, but time is pressing, and there are not that many opportunities left. I hope these people calm down and think about it and truly become responsible for themselves and sentient beings. Teacher said, "Be sure not to take Master's mercy lightly," and "Make sure you don't destroy your eternal life because of your irrationality and human attachments." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2004 Chicago Conference")
The above are my personal understandings. Fellow practitioners, please correct me if I have said anything inappropriate. I started memorizing Teacher's article, "Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World's People," as soon as I received it. When I was in the process of writing down these thoughts, I also repeatedly recited and read this article. Meanwhile, I reviewed Teacher's article, "Fa-rectification Period Dafa Disciples." I suggest that fellow practitioners all try to memorize and recite these two articles. Take the Fa as our teacher and strive forward diligently.
(1) Fa: Law and principles; the teachings of Falun Dafa.