(Clearwisdom.net) I obtained the Fa in 1997, and have greatly benefited from the eight years of cultivation. When dealing with the relationship between gain and loss, I did what Master teaches and improved my xinxing. this helped me to validate Dafa.
I am a mid-level government official. Prior to practicing Dafa, I often ate, drank, and took gifts at the government's expense. When people sent gifts through me to higher-level officials, they often gave me a gift too. During the holidays, lower-level officials and other state-owned enterprises often held banquets and gave gifts to us officials, and I would take them as a matter of course. When I went to rural areas, local officials often gave me some local products, and I never refused. I never thought it was wrong to take them. On the contrary, I thought that I was a diligent government official. Also, I would hurt their feelings when they sincerely showed their gratitude. I thought it was all right as long as I did not ask for gifts.
Since practicing Dafa, I learned Master's teaching "There is a principle in this universe called 'no loss, no gain.' To gain, one has to lose." (Zhuan Falun) I realized my previous thoughts and behavior were against the Fa principles. I gained benefits that I should not have received. The more I gained, the more I lost in terms of the precious "de," (virtue) and the harder it was for me to achieve the goal of returning to my original true self. Once I enlightened to this, I started refusing to take gifts, and did not take other advantages at work. My improvement was a gradual process. At first, when it was a gift just for me, I would refuse. If there were gifts for each person in my department, I would take it, thinking I was a member of the team, I was not being treated as someone special. Such a situation continued until 2003. Since 2004, through Fa study, I further enlightened that I am a Dafa cultivator, and I should not treat myself as an ordinary person. Though I am cultivating among ordinary people, the principles of this universe are the sole criteria to discern good and bad. I should not behave like ordinary people, rather I should conduct myself as a Dafa practitioner, validating Dafa with my own righteous thoughts and righteous deeds.
In the past two years, I made sure not to take anything that did not belong to me. And I returned gifts including gifts of cash three times, securities three times, one camera, and I refused to take kickbacks from three businesses many times. When I return or refuse the gifts, I always make sure to let them know that it was through Dafa cultivation that I was enlightened to the principle that one should not take anything that does not belong to him, telling them that I must do what Master tells us. People always praise me sincerely, saying it is really hard to find an official like me. I could see their respect for Dafa in their words and eyes.
In addition, I never take advantage of the privileges of being a government official. Many friends have told me that my privileges will expire when I retire, and said that I don't know how to be an "official." The finance people in my department also say I do not look like an official since I never take advantage of my privileges. No matter what others say, my heart is not moved. I truly believe I am a Dafa disciple, I am blessed in the grace of Dafa, and I must do better and better according to the Fa, and validate Dafa through my righteous thoughts and righteous deeds.
Due to the limitations of my level, what I have enlightened to is far from what Master teaches. Please kindly point out any mistakes I have made.
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Category: Improving Oneself
