(Minghui.org) As cultivators, truly believing in Master and the Fa is a fundamental issue as we cultivate, as it is directly related to whether we can achieve consummation, and whether we can pass tests while encountering tribulations.
If we can't genuinely believe in Master and the Fa, we won't be able to cultivate, let alone reach consummation.
Some may have heard the cultivation story of Milarepa, and how he firmly believed in his master.
His master once asked him to build a house on a mountain. When the house was finished, his master told him to knock it down and rebuild it. When he built the new one, Milarepa was told to destroy it again and rebuild it at another place. This one was knocked down and rebuilt. This happened several times.
Milarepa had to carry all the construction materials up the mountain. The skin on his back was scratched and bleeding from carrying the heavy materials. Though this tough test made him want to die, he never doubted his master and still did the job meticulously.
I think the reason Milarepa could succeed in cultivation was because his faith in his master never wavered, and he did exactly what his master asked of him.
Some practitioners might say that they believe in Master and Dafa and that is why they continue to follow Master. But how much do they truly believe in Master? Are they just saying the words? While going through tribulations, do cultivators waver between belief and doubt? Or do they believe in Master 100 percent? There is a huge difference.
I thought I firmly believed in Master and the Fa, so I passed some tests while experiencing tribulations. But I have not done the three things well that Master asks us to do, and this is far from Master's requirement.
I did not truly trust Master and the Fa. Apart from believing in Master and the Fa, practitioners must do exactly what Master asks us to do, and do them well according to Master's requirements. That is truly believing, and only then can one achieve consummation.
Master said:
“If you are a true practitioner, our Falun will safeguard you. I am rooted in the universe. If anyone can harm you, he or she would be able to harm me. Put simply, that person would be able to harm this universe.” (Zhuan Falun)
Some of us have been cultivating for a long time and have first-hand experience of how great our Master is.
So why do we still experience so many tribulations? Why have some practitioners been experiencing tribulations and cannot get out of them? For some practitioners, tribulations come one after another, to the point where they lose their lives. Doesn't Master take care of us? Doesn't Master have the ability to safeguard us?
I think we are not steadfast in our faith in Master and Dafa. We have too many human notions and cannot let go of “self.” We fail to look inward when experiencing problems with others and lack righteous faith in Master while experiencing hardships.
Master once said:
“Disciples’ righteous thoughts are strongMaster has the power to turn the tide” (Hong Yin II)
I wonder if practitioners consider Dafa's infinite power and Master's omnipotence during their tribulations.
Some lack righteous faith when they experience tribulations and believe that there is nothing they can do about it. They just endure, endure, and endure. I believe that is why they continue to have tribulations.
Recently, Minghui.org reported that 1,300 practitioners were arrested in September, and 60 were sentenced. Upon reading this, I was quite sad.
I think we should use this opportunity to look inside to see what human notions we have not let go. When filing a criminal complaint against Jiang Zemin, what was our initial thought? Did we fear being left behind in the process of Fa rectification? Were we afraid that we would not achieve consummation if we did not file a complaint?
Cultivation is a serious matter, and any human notions can be used as an excuse by the old forces to persecute us.
While experiencing tribulations, we should first think of the power of Dafa and Master's infinite compassion.
No matter how powerful the evil looks on the surface, no one can go beyond Dafa and Master. They are nothing before Dafa disciples. The purpose of the evil's actions is to target our human notions.
A Practitioner Believes in Master and Dafa
I would like to share a story of how a fellow practitioner believed in Master and Dafa and passed the tribulations she encountered.
In her 60s, this practitioner suffered many ailments before she practiced Falun Gong. A fibroid tumor had grown so large that she appeared to be pregnant. Doctor advised an operation that she could not afford. When she lost all hope, she heard about Falun Gong and began to practice.
Soon after she started practicing, her lower abdomen began to ache, and she discharged dark-colored blood. She experienced unbearable pain for seven days. Her family wanted to take her to the hospital, but she refused. She believed that Master was purifying her body.
The pain eased a week later, but she was still in pain for another seven days. The same symptoms repeated two more times. She finally overcame the tribulation by firmly believing in Master and Dafa.
After the persecution started in 1999, she was arrested and given three years in a forced labor camp.
The day she arrived at the labor camp, she shouted out to all of the practitioners, “Don't renounce your belief. It is wrong to allow yourselves to be “transformed.” If you do this, you forsake Master and Dafa.” She was kicked and punched. A dirty rag was stuffed into her mouth to stop her from speaking out. She was thrown into a darkened room and forced to lie on the concrete floor for two weeks.
No one in the camp could make her renounce her belief. Soon, the official in charge of the labor camp met with her.
She thought this was a good opportunity to talk to the person about Falun Gong. The official agreed with everything she said after listening to her. The official told the guards to go gently with her.
Six months later, she seemed to have symptoms of sickness karma and was released. By believing in Master and Dafa, she walked out of the labor camp.
When we have tribulations, we must first consider what is wrong with us, find it, and remove it. We need to believe in Master and the power of Dafa. I am sure we will then be able to overcome the hardships and walk, openly and with dignity, on the paths Master arranged for us.
This is just my understanding. Please point out anything incorrect.
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Category: Improving Oneself
