(Minghui.org) One of my tasks at work is to buy seeds for our company’s vegetable garden. For several years, the guard at the entrance has asked me to give him some seeds and fertilizer. I offered to take him to the store so he could buy these things himself, but he preferred to take the company’s seeds. For a long time, I did not think too much about what the guard was doing because it only amounted to about eight or ten yuan each time. Also, the leader of the company had no problem with it.
However, after memorizing “Buddha Nature,” I began to feel uneasy about complying with his unreasonable request. Teacher said:
“What about kind thoughts, then? Shakyamuni’s school has taught that the mere starting of a thought means karma. And in fact, what is referred to as “kind thoughts” is seen to be otherwise if measured with a higher standard, or with the requirements of the higher standard of Zhen Shan Ren.” (“Buddha Nature,” Zhuan Falun Volume II)
I looked within myself for why this situation with the guard was happening, and I found human notions. I thought I was being kind to the guard by giving him small favors. However, that so-called “kindness” was due to sentimentality. As a result, I was embarrassed to point out that what he was doing was wrong for fear of damaging our relationship. I believed I had no influence at work, so I should not attempt to correct anything wrong, big or small. Instead, I shared my opinions only behind others’ backs to avoid trouble. I was unsure whether I should endure or not in various situations. I suddenly realized that I was just acting like a Mr. Nice Guy, without much dignity.
I continued to find causes within myself, which disturbed me. I knew I was not troubled by losing profit because they were not my seeds. I might have looked down on the guard for his unscrupulous behavior. I thought I might have some predestined relationship with him and that was why I was involved in this issue. Nevertheless, I should follow Teacher’s guidance to deny the old forces’ arrangements completely. In the end, I realized that true kindness would be to calmly point out the problem to the guard, solely for his own good, to prevent him from losing virtue.
This issue at work gave me a chance to better understand the Fa. By reviewing the situation based on the Fa, I believe that I switched from personal cultivation to Fa-rectification cultivation in dealing with this matter. Additionally, I gained a clear understanding of how to handle others’ incorrect behavior.
Once I began to consider the issues based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I was no longer hindered by the human notion to maintain a relationship based on sentimentality, nor would I attempt to avoid conflicts at work. Instead, I knew how to be truly kind to others for their own good. Consequently, I behaved more openly, decisively, and kindly.
Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s current understanding meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare with one another in study, in cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)
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Category: Improving Oneself
