(Minghui.org) The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra performed in our area for the first time this year. We noticed that Master was introduced as the founder of Shen Yun Performing Arts on the first page of the program booklet. This is the first time Shen Yun has printed such a direct introduction in its literature.
I thought about the relationship between hosting the Shen Yun show and cultivation. The new cosmos is created by Dafa and the old cosmos will no longer exist. Shen Yun's mission is to restore China's divine culture. Does it also have a mission to save people for the new cosmos?
Falun Dafa practitioners assist Master in the Fa-rectification. Introducing Master so directly reminds us that practitioners must fulfill their mission and prehistoric vows. Is it a need of the Fa-rectification that Master Li is the driving force of the Shen Yun show? It is the manifestation of mighty virtue of Dafa saving people.
Master said,
“Fa-rectification is sure to succeed, and Dafa disciples are sure to achieve Consummation.” (“Greetings” in Essentials of Diligent Progress, Vol III)
Our promotion of the Shen Yun show went well a few years ago. But after 2012, there was low attendance in some areas. I think it is due to interference by the old forces, and it results in conflicts among practitioners and affects their cooperation.
The biggest excuse used by the old forces to justify their interference with practitioners is that many practitioners have become complacent and are attached to consummation.
Master said:
“But Dafa disciples are beings with missions, and so Dafa cultivation during the Fa-rectification period is different. If you are attached to personal cultivation, then that is considered an attachment!” (“Fa Teaching at the 2015 West Coast Fa Conference”)
I noticed that some practitioners started to let up and became arrogant and even conceited when they were instrumental in Shen Yun being successfully promoted. They believed that it successful was because of their skills, wisdom, and ability.
They forgot that Dafa's fundamental mission is to save people. Shen Yun can save people because Master has taken a hand in the programs and Master's law body and divine beings assist the performers during the show.
That means that these practitioners have deviated from Dafa's requirements and divine beings will therefore not support their efforts.
When promoting Shen Yun, practitioners rely on their skills and individual methods, validate themselves, feel superior, and even struggle for power and fame. This is a far cry from our promotions during the first Shen Yun shows. We did not know how to go about it, but held steadfast belief in Dafa and only thought of saving people.
This is why current ticket sales are poor, even though we have learned many skills for the promotion of the show over the past years. It is because a pure heart to save people determines the result, not the superficial effect of the methods used.
Many articles on the Minghui website recently mentioned that the mentality of thinking first of others while pursuing consummation is selfish. Why are we unable to catch up with the Fa-rectification? Why are we going in the wrong direction? It is because of selfishness.
Some practitioners participate in the promotion of Shen Yun for impure reasons: to achieve mighty virtue and pursue consummation. If the motivation is selfish, the old forces take it as an excuse to create conflicts among practitioners.
Some practitioners do not try to cooperate, but distance themselves from fellow practitioners. As a result, manpower and financial resources are wasted. Superficially they are active, but in reality they interfere with the process. This has now become prominent.
Master said:
“Because Dafa is so pure, righteous, and majestic, upon seeing such mighty virtue and power, and its positive qualities shining through as it saves lives, even gods are in awe, and no one would be so bold as to do negative things toward it. They would put up a positive front but still be trying to attain what they want—even forming something as large as they have in order to achieve their ends. That is how the old forces are, and what they are doing is interfering and doing harm.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2015 West Coast Fa Conference”)
I thought that the persecution by the old forces was interference with the Fa-rectification. Now, when the persecution is nearing its end, the old forces are attempting to create a division among practitioners.
Practitioners need to adhere to Dafa principles and standards, cultivate genuinely, let go of human attachments, and be responsible for ourselves and for Dafa.
Master has born uncountable tribulations for his disciples and sentient beings. What are we doing now? Dafa disciples should awaken and face up to Master's serious warning in the “Fa Teaching at the 2015 West Coast Fa Conference.” We are not beholden to the human society. We came to this world to save sentient beings. Are we fulfilling our mission and vows?
When it comes to the Shen Yun project under Master's control, do we assist Master's Fa-rectification or not? We must completely believe in Dafa, not ourselves and our own skills. Only then can we do well in promoting the Shen Yun show and fulfill our mission to save sentient beings.