(Minghui.org) I wrote this article because I am concerned for some Falun Dafa practitioners, and I suspect that this topic may be a widespread problem among us.
I often see veteran practitioners engage in political commentary on social media sites like Facebook. Some of them have been practicing Falun Dafa for almost 20 years. Most importantly, they have non-practitioner friends who read the comments they post on these sites and see their views, stances, and clashes related to politics. In some instances, practitioners have insulted other commenters.
Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, has warned us not to get involved in politics:
“The political instability and the changes that are now happening, or that may lie ahead, might really draw your attention. But I think that since you, as Dafa disciples, have come through the harsh tests of the last ten-plus years, you should be able to see things for what they are. The things that happen in the human world are natural changes that occur in the human world. And I know, of course, that all of those things are due to gods’ systematic arrangements. That is how it works. Don’t get involved in human political affairs, and don’t let yourself get stirred up by ordinary people. In recent years many democracy activists and political organizations have given us support, and [some of] you have in turn participated in their activities. But you need to stay aware that you are a cultivator and that we don’t get involved in political things. There are bigger, enormous things in store for you to do.”
“You are cultivators, so you should pay attention to cultivating yourselves and not to political conflicts. That is absolute; it’s something that will never change. If we don’t stay on the right course, if we veer off course just ever so slightly, humankind will be done for, all hope for mankind will be lost, and the same will hold true for the cosmos. The beings throughout the cosmos, and even humankind, are closely watching to see whether Dafa disciples stay on the right course.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2014 San Francisco Fa Conference”)
If practitioners do not heed this warning, they will miss many opportunities to save people. At the same time, they are also creating karma and making themselves vulnerable to being persecuted by the old forces.
Do Not Push Anyone Away
Some of the comments practitioners made about politicians were very judgmental and self-righteous. Several months ago, I witnessed several practitioners denigrating a U.S. Senator because of his political views. However, the senator had condemned the persecution of Falun Dafa on one of his websites in the past.
As I understand it, what is important is one’s attitude towards Dafa. We should not push people away, especially if they hold a positive attitude towards Dafa. We cannot demonstrate the goodness and beauty of Dafa if we attack people on public forums.
Practitioners working in the media have to report on politics. Most of us, however, have no cause to be involved with politics. Teacher wants us to save as many people as possible—not to judge people for one reason or another.
Teacher has forgiven us for our countless sins during our long histories, so I think that we should do the same for all beings, including politicians, regardless of which side of the aisle they sit. Please remember that throughout our many lifetimes it is more than likely that we were once officials or politicians as well.
Anything that moves us is an attachment. Observing politics is an opportunity to cultivate and eliminate our attachments, not to indulge ourselves and comment on ordinary issues that interest us.
A Need to Become Clearheaded
If any practitioner feels the urge to comment on politics, I recommend reading “A Dialogue With Time” from Essentials for Further Advancement, which closes with these statements:
“Divine Being: These problems have already become very serious. It would be good if they could manage to search within themselves for the things that they have been able to find in others.
Master: It’s time for them to become clearheaded so that their environment can turn into one for true cultivation practice, and thus they will be able to become real gods.”
If practitioners make negative comments about politicians, regardless of which political party they represent, I believe that it can create obstacles and prevent those people from taking positive actions to support Dafa. If they can hold a positive attitude towards Dafa, they can position themselves, and those whom they represent, positively for their future.
Finally, I do not mean to criticize anyone. I am just worried for fellow practitioners and do not want to see any unnecessary losses.
I have had shortcomings regarding this issue over the years too. The last U.S. presidential election was a real test for me. My heart was moved by many statements made by the candidates. I didn’t realize that I could still have such strong reactions to politics. It's easy to think that one does not have attachments when nothing acts as a trigger for them to surface.
I’ve worked hard on my heart to correct myself on this issue, and I’m no longer moved by politicians’ statements. I now often feel a warm benevolence towards those whom I used to feel disturbed by.
If I have said anything inappropriate, please point it out with kindness.
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Category: Improving Oneself
