(Minghui.org) I am 73 years old and I started practicing Falun Dafa in 2008. After I took up the practice, I followed the Falun Dafa teachings to be a good person in my daily life.
Learning to Be Tolerant with Family
I live with my daughter-in-law and cook all three meals every day. I never complained about this after I became a Falun Gong practitioner. I vowed to be a good person in all aspects of life.
One morning, I prepared and ate breakfast and then entered my daughter-in-law's room and asked her to have breakfast. I told her that I would take care of the baby. However, she did not like what I had cooked and decided she wanted to eat steamed buns instead.
I was not very happy and thought, “I am already in my 70s. I prepared breakfast for you. Not only do you not want to eat what I made, but you ask me to buy steamed buns for you? How can you treat me like this?”
Then, I remembered Master's words in Zhuan Falun:
“When one runs into a conflict, it may manifest in a xinxing tribulation between one another. If you can endure it, your karma will be eliminated, your xinxing will improve, and your gong will increase as well. All of these will come together.”
I immediately went downstairs to buy some steamed buns for her. When I returned, I asked her to eat and said I would take care of the baby. She said nothing and ate the buns.
We had a big snowstorm at the beginning of last winter. I made breakfast in the morning as usual. Again, she told me that she did not want to eat what I had made. She said she would like to have some Chinese crullers and bean curd jelly instead. I almost lost my temper and started to argue with her, but I remembered that I was a Falun Gong practitioner and should follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. So I went downstairs without saying a word.
It was very cold and windy that day. The road was icy and slippery, but I went to the bakery, half walking and half skidding. I brought home the cruller and jelly.
On my way home, I felt really bad and tears started to fill my eyes. I thought about Master's words:
“Forbearance is the key to improving one’s xinxing. To endure with anger, grievance, or tears is the forbearance of an everyday person who is attached to his concerns. To endure completely without anger or grievance is the forbearance of a cultivator.” (“What is Forbearance (Ren)” in Essentials for Further Advancement)
When I thought about this Fa, I suddenly let go of all my anger and grievance. By the time I got home, I felt happy.
Forgive Others
Another practitioner and I went out to clarify the truth about Falun Gong on May 27, 2011. On the way home, a car hit me as I entered an intersection. I fell down and wasn't very clear about what had just happened.
When I tried to sit up, Master's words in Zhuan Falun suddenly came to mind:
“We have said that good or evil comes from a person’s spontaneous thought, and the thought at that moment can bring about different consequences.”
The driver was frightened. He came over and asked me if I was okay. I said that I was fine. He asked if I could stand up. I stood up and told him I was fine. He found some scratches on my elbow and wanted to take me to the hospital. I told him that wasn't necessary.
He was still worried and wanted my cell phone number in case I had some problems later. “I am really okay. I am a Falun Gong practitioner,” I said. “Master Li Hongzhi is looking after me, so everything will be fine. You can go home. Drive carefully.”
The driver listened while holding my hand tightly. His eyes filled with tears, and he thanked me and left.
Be an Honest Person
Once, on the way to pick up my grandchild, I saw a five-yuan note on the ground. I shouted, “Has anyone lost some money?” No one answered. I picked up the money, waved it over my head, and loudly asked the question twice more. A woman behind me said that she had lost the money. I gave it to her without a second thought. If I were not a Falun Gong practitioner, I would have just put the money in my pocket instead of looking for the owner.
Another time, when I bought some biscuits, the cashier gave me seven extra yuan in change. I immediately returned it to her.
She said, “You are really a good person. Other people would take it and leave.”
I replied, “I am a Falun Gong practitioner. Master Li Hongzhi asked me to be honest.”
Looking back, Master really has given me hints at all times and helped me to improve. Thank you very much, Master.
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Category: Improving Oneself
