(Minghui.org) I have recently observed some incorrect behavior among practitioners, so I wrote this article to alert practitioners and to remind myself.
Some practitioners appear to have problems regarding how to cultivate properly and behave as if they are still governed by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) indoctrination. Some haven’t cultivated diligently and are covering up their shortcomings.
Some practitioners talk about others behind their backs, such as how good a certain fellow practitioner is, what his character is like, how well some actors have done in truth-clarification movies, and so on. As a matter of fact, these things have nothing to do with their own cultivation. Their judgment is simply an indication of their failure to cultivate their speech.
When they heard these comments, some practitioners who had just come from China felt at a disadvantage not knowing anything. So, as soon as they found out something about someone else, they quickly joined in and added their two cents. Some conversations were carried out on the phone, which ended up leaking a lot of information to the CCP’s agents. That allowed them to manipulate relationships between Dafa practitioners, such as setting one against another or marginalizing certain practitioners.
Such conversations have nothing to do with cultivation. They are reflections of one’s curiosity and attachment to showing off and other ordinary issues. One’s cultivation state is a personal matter. Master Li is looking after every disciple. Why do we enjoy judging others behind their backs? Some practitioners wouldn’t have developed zealotry if no one had flattered them. Some practitioners wouldn’t have become passive if no one had ridiculed them. Some had to face even more difficulties due to fellow practitioners’ wrongful judgments.
Those who spread hearsay make it sound as if whoever has undisclosed information has a higher position. They admire those practitioners who are close to Master and know things that others don’t. As a result, some practitioners can’t wait to hear the hearsay and spread it. Some have hearsay followers and use hearsay to elevate their own importance but fail to improve their own character.
Some practitioners are well-connected and form their own small circles. They seek connections with those in “power” and marginalize others, which causes long-lasting and ongoing interference with cultivation and cooperation. They don’t emphasize cultivating solidly or whatever is best for their projects, other practitioners, and sentient beings. Instead, they have taken advantage of relationships to boost their own reputation or status.
I occasionally join a Fa-study group online. We read the teachings with a pure mind. However, one practitioner nitpicked others’ pronunciations after we finished reading. She argued over this and that practitioner’s inaccurate pronunciations. Someone pointed out that certain words were pronounced one way in the dictionary but usually pronounced another way by common people, especially the older generation. They argued back and forth and refused to give in.
It appeared to me that this practitioner was making a fuss over a trivial matter to show that she could teach and influence others. Those whose behavior reflects CCP-indoctrination usually forget courtesy and don’t consider other people’s feelings. They use force and intimidation to get others to accept their views. That behavior does not foster a cultivation climate of looking inward and improving our own character. Though they sound like they have faith in Master and Dafa, it is simply a way of covering up their lack of solid cultivation.
Falun Dafa practitioners who solidly cultivate themselves usually quietly support others and unselfishly make up for others’ inadequacies. They quietly cultivate themselves instead of showing off. However, those who don’t cultivate well make sure that they are in the limelight.
It’s an essential question of whether we want to reflect a cultivator’s pure and divine realm or treat others as everyday people do in our complicated society. If we fail to regard ourselves as cultivators, what we do in our group will certainly be driven by human notions and end up ruining our cultivation climate.
Master has told us,
“If you, as a student [of Dafa], do not follow Master’s requirements, it is definitely no simple thing. The old forces have arranged for all Dafa disciples a set of their things, so if a Dafa disciple doesn’t follow Master’s requirements, he must be following the old forces’ arrangements. The old forces are in essence gigantic trials and tribulations that accompany you at all times, focused on whether in Fa-rectification Dafa disciples are able to step forward. (Be Clearheaded, The Essentials of Diligent Progress, Vol III)
“If after going through this ordeal some students are still not clearheaded, then they will miss [the opportunities presented in] all of this. Only when you follow Master’s requirements are you validating the Fa and cultivating yourself as a Dafa disciple, and only then are you a true Dafa disciple.” (Be Clearheaded, The Essentials of Diligent Progress, Vol III)
After reading what Master has said, I no longer have any hazy notions like I did 16 years ago. Practitioners’ incorrect states are no longer hard to understand. If someone fails to follow Master’s teachings and sticks to his attachments to fame and fortune, he will be playing an interfering role in Dafa practitioners’ truth-clarification projects. This is exactly what the old forces want to happen. Only when we follow Master’s requirements are we validating the Fa and cultivating ourselves as Dafa disciples, and only then are we true Dafa disciples.