(Clearwisdom.net) I always believed that I did not have good inborn quality. Yet, through my predestined relationship with Teacher, a seed was planted within me to obtain the Fa. Guided by Teacher Li, I gradually enlightened to many things. I feel ever so lucky.
The Chinese Communist Party branded my grandfather as a "landlord" because my family owned some property. My father was unyielding to the communist dogma, so he became a target of the regime's attacks. Few people helped us. Instead, many people went along with the regime and felt that they could walk all over us. During my childhood, it was painful and depressing to witness how people treated us. When I read Zhuan Falun for the first time, it was as if a window to heaven had been opened for me. Many of my questions were answered. I was a very emotional person and believed in predestined relationship. Early on, when I was watching a video of one of Teacher's lectures, I saw Teacher's face and just cried. Although I did not understand what cultivation was about and did not know what Dafa would mean to me, I was enticed by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. With Teacher Li holding my hand, I stepped through the door of cultivation.
I have come a long way from someone who knew nothing about cultivation or the life of a cultivator. Through the gradual process of returning to one's true self, I realized that cultivation is difficult and full of hardships. Fortunately, when I began practicing, I studied the Fa, did the exercises and shared experiences with other practitioners. I benefited a lot from the righteous environment. Soon after the persecution began on July 20, 1999, faced with a harsh environment and the suspicious thoughts I had toward Dafa, and due to my karma, I did not know what to do. I pleaded with Teacher Li to let me see the truth through my third eye. I thought I would know for sure and would not waver. Of course, according to Fa principles, one cannot use what one sees through the third eye to come to such a conclusion.
Because of my gratitude toward Teacher Li, I also went to Beijing to appeal for justice for Dafa. At that time, many practitioners congregated in Beijing. To help me gain confidence in cultivation, I was most interested in hearing other practitioners' stories of extraordinary experiences. Yet my suspicions were still with me. I had followed the example of solid practitioners, hoping to obtain some tips and insights or shortcuts about cultivation. I came back empty-handed. I really worried for myself.
However, I still had the thought of returning to my true self. While I studied the Fa diligently, Teacher eliminated karma from me several times. One day I woke up and felt entirely different. All those negativities that had affected me were gone. I was like a white sheet of paper, not polluted at all. Teacher Li, it was your mercy that purified my internal environment. Then, I gradually woke up as if I had been in a slumber for hundreds of years. I truly woke up.
Teacher came for Fa-rectification, with the most all-encompassing Fa to rectify all that is not righteous in the cosmos, to awaken the Buddha nature in all sentient beings and to resolve fundamental issues such as selfishness and deviation, with benevolent solutions. Teacher will then take all saved beings to the new cosmos. We came from higher levels to this human world to obtain the Fa and assimilate to the Fa, which is the only hope for saving sentient beings. People have been misled by fame, personal gain and feelings. Coupled with all deviated elements of life, people have separated themselves from Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. When Teacher Li first began to teach the Fa, he told us that cultivation is for returning to one's original, true self. Now I realize that with Teacher's assistance, we can rid ourselves of all things that are not good or part of our true selves, and return to Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.
I know that the new me is a result of Teacher's mercy. I continue to deepen my understanding of how serious and magnificent cultivation is. If I have any bad thoughts in my mind, I am very sure that the thoughts are not me, and I try to eliminate them.
I am again studying Teacher's early articles:
"As a matter of fact, when you agonize over infringements upon your reputation, self-interest, and feelings among everyday people, it already indicates that you cannot let go of ordinary human attachments. You must remember this: Cultivation itself is not painful--the key lies in your inability to let go of ordinary human attachments. Only when you are about to let go of your reputation, interests, and feelings will you feel pain." ("True Cultivation" from Essentials for Further Advancement)
"In practicing cultivation, you are not making real, solid progress on your own, which would effect great, fundamental changes internally. Instead, you rely on my power and take advantage of powerful external factors. This can never transform your human nature into Buddha-nature. If every one of you can understand the Fa from the depths of your mind, that will truly be the manifestation of the Fa whose power knows no boundary--the reappearance of the mighty Buddha Fa in the human world!" ("Cautionary Advice" from Essentials for Further Advancement")
"Be aware: I am not asking you to intentionally do something. I am only trying to make you understand the principles of the Fa so that you will have a clear understanding of this. In fact, Dafa is not only to save human beings--it is also taught to all beings in the various dimensions. Your enlightened, original nature will automatically know what to do. Cherishing your human side enables you to enlighten to and ascend in the Fa. Dafa is harmonizing all sentient beings, and all sentient beings are also harmonizing Dafa. I have told you the solemnity and sacredness of the Fa in order to eliminate your confusion about and misunderstanding of the Fa." ("Expounding on the Fa" from Essentials for Further Advancement)
After several years of practice, I am able to understand more and more of Teacher's words. We have to go through the process of getting rid of attachments. Then we realize the inner meanings of certain things. During this process, I was lost and puzzled, and I even fell. Because my heart was still focused on Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, Teacher Li picked me up and saw me through all the tribulations that seemed impossible to pass. I have come a long way from someone who was very emotional to someone who lives rationally. I have come to understand the sacredness and solemnity of Fa study, sending forth righteous thoughts, and truth-clarification, which are not things a non-practitioner can do. Only Falun Dafa practitioners are privileged to do these. They are the most scared things in the world. If we have righteous thoughts, Teacher Li can endow us with divine power. He gives us the Fa, enabling us to fulfill our historic vows.
I am fearless because the purpose of life is to return to Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. The old forces and all the elements arranged by them were supposed to be rectified by Teacher, but they are causing damage to themselves with so-called noble reasons. In the end, they will have to pay for what they have done. They should be afraid.
I firmly believe that since the purpose of life is to return to Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, awakening our original nature and clearheaded thinking are truly natural.
Thank you to the great Teacher.
Thank you.
July 20, 2005
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