Understanding Cultivation
I am in my sixties now, and was a company manager when I began cultivating Falun Gong in 1997. I remember one day in February 1997, when my wife came to me singing the praises of Falun Gong and expressed her desire to practice this high-level cultivation way of the Buddha school. I was extremely against it, as I thought it was superstitious. Soon my sister-in-law brought Falun Dafa informational materials to us from hundreds of miles away. Perhaps due to a predestined relationship, I was actually the first one to start reading. I was immediately stunned by the first sentence in "Lunyu,"
"'The Buddha Fa' is most profound; among all the theories in the world, it is the most intricate and extraordinary science." (Zhuan Falun)
This statement made me excited but puzzled. As long as I could remember, people had always spoken about how Buddhas, Taos and Gods were superstitions. Why would such things now be likened to a science, and be described as "extraordinary?" I read the book with pursuit, seeking knowledge of what exactly Buddhas, Taos and Gods were. I found that I didn't understand the contents after reading the first time. But my curiosity increased, and I was determined to find clear answers.
I soon grasped that this was a highly virtuous practice that teaches people to become better persons. I was also learning so much that I had never heard of before. For example, Master Li taught in Zhuan Falun:
"Since a great enlightened person has been successfully cultivated in his body, this person has also accumulated a lot of de. So what will happen? He might become a high-ranking official or make a big fortune in his next life. It can only be this way. Didn't his cultivation end up in vain?" ("Whoever Practices Cultivation Will Attain Gong," Lecture Eight)
"The key is to increase your gong. To the great enlightened people, living as a human being is not the purpose, and one's life is not meant for being human--it is meant for you to return to your origin." ("Upgrading Xinxing," Lecture Four)
In those days, I was truly hoping to be a high-ranking official, and make a big fortune. Yet, this book was telling me that achieving the "best things in the world" would mean my cultivation would end up in vain! Why is being human, the highest life-form on earth, not our purpose? What is "returning to one's origin?"
Through continued study, I gradually came to understand that Zhuan Falun is not an ordinary book of qigong or aerobics. Instead, it is designed to guide people back to their original, true selves. Consequently, my atheistic notions which had built up over several decades of CCP rule disintegrated.
Cultivating Greed Away - Returning a Finder's Fee
After four months of cultivation, I had gained some minimal understanding of the Fa principles. For instance, I learned, "In this universe, there is a principle which says: 'no loss, no gain.' To gain, one must lose." ("Loss and Gain," Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun) I came to appreciate how one's words and actions are measured by heavenly laws that human flesh eyes can't see.
For example, I found some work for a construction contractor in 1997. In return, he gave me some money as "finder's fee." At the time, I was very greedy, and asked him for it. Upon reflection, I had second thoughts and discussed the matter with my wife. After deciding to return the fee, the contractor didn't understand why. We told him that we began studying Falun Dafa, and learned that we should not be greedy. Surely, were it not for Falun Dafa, we would not have behaved like this.
No Longer Self-centered
Before cultivation, I had numerous ailments and my upper body often felt numb. There was a treatment for cervical bone spurs I had called "Little Needle Knife," that was very painful. Though it didn't cure me, it cost more than 1000 yuan per treatment. Soon after cultivation of Falun Dafa, all my illnesses disappeared, and my xinxing was upgraded at the same time. I thought of others first at all times, in any situation.
I used to be very attached to fame, showing off, competing with others, and was always self-centered. In our work group, I always had the final word. I only wanted to hear praise, and would not allow anyone to mention my shortcomings. My work unit had been very profitable, and upper level management praised us many times. So as I bragged to our colleagues with pride, an assistant of mine saw me in a good mood and tried to communicate with me on something I didn't want to hear. I immediately became hostile and caused him to be very embarrassed. I was often like that, so no one wanted to be close to me.
I knew these were attachments I needed to eliminate. After I began cultivation, I took the initiative to ask for comments and suggestions, I changed my work style, and communication with others. I actively talked with that assistant until my entire work group became very harmonious. Many of my human attachments were eliminated and I became a true leader, one who quietly serves others.
Falun Dafa Settles Conflicts
As I continue cultivating, my understanding of the Fa-principles deepens. Meanwhile, the genuine purpose of cultivation is becoming more and more clear. In 1998, another government-owned company bought a few old vehicles from us, some of which were on credit to be paid at year's end. Their head manager and I signed the agreement. In late 1998, they said that their financial situation was not good, and begged that we allow them to delay the payment. We agreed, since both companies were government owned. But later, this manager quit his job, and those vehicles became his personal property without proper procedures. We tried many times but were not successful in getting him to pay the debt. Eventually, we had to sue him based on our agreement.
He tried to persuade me not to sue him. I refused politely, since we cultivators must be truthful. He was angry, even coming to my office to curse at me. I was a bit angry at his dishonesty and almost fought with him. But at that moment, I remembered,
"As a practitioner, the first thing you should be able to do is to not fight back when you are beaten or sworn at--you must be tolerant. Otherwise, what kind of practitioner will you be?" ("People with Great Inborn Quality," Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)
I suddenly became clearheaded with a thought, "I am a cultivator... I can not be the same as him!" So I calmly explained things to him. After a while he left and in the end we settled the debt legally without a lawsuit. He was not even bitter with me later. It was Falun Dafa that upgraded my virtue, and helped me amicably solve this conflict. If all people cultivated Falun Dafa, emphasized virtue, and did good deeds, people's morality would be raised and interpersonal relationships would be more pure!
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Category: Improving Oneself
