(Minghui.org) Death is part of the cosmic law of birth, old age, sickness, and death. Every family and every person will encounter it more than once in their lifetimes. 　

Master told us,

“When a person dies, only the layer of the largest molecules—the human shell or this layer of molecules on the surface—dies and falls away from this dimension. How could your real body that’s composed of microscopic matter die?” (Teachings at the Conference of Changchun Assistants)

But I discovered some fellow practitioners who have cultivated for many years still do not have a clear understanding of death. So, when a family member dies, they can’t help but feel extremely sad, nostalgic, regretful, and other emotions that they find difficult to extricate themselves from.

In fact, whether one cultivates or not, cherishing the memories of the past, growing mature, and living a good life is the best choice one can make.

Asian culture seems to place more emphasis on the loss of the living, while Western culture does not have a clear concept of reincarnation—it values the beauty of the deceased during life, the peace after death, and the reunion with the deceased in the future.

For cultivators, we really have to evaluate things from the standpoint of cultivation. We are still cultivating in the human world and we still have human sentimentality and attachments. Death affects each of us in different ways. Even though it is hard, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we are cultivators and we should not let the death of a family member affect our daily lives or our cultivation.

I once met an elderly fellow practitioner who was devastated by the death of her husband and granddaughter. She refused to accept reality. She spent many years asking people around her “Why, why?” She tormented herself until she was haggard and exhausted.

When another practitioner’s family member passed away, he put the deceased’s photo in the most prominent place in the house, offered food to it, and played Dafa music for it. He never thought about whether doing that would be sinful for the deceased.

There were also instances of people who felt unsettled or lost in their grief after the death of their spouse, child, or parents. If the living do not let go, the deceased are hardly at peace and may also suffer.

When my father, also a Dafa practitioner, was persecuted to death, I went through intense periods of grief and pain, with ups and downs over the years. Even though I knew very well his passing was not real death, it was still unbearably painful.

I later realized that I resented not being able to live with my father due to the persecution when I was a child and that the possibility of a future with him was never to be. Only after letting go did I feel relieved and no longer disturbed. If human feelings and desires can be compared to water, truly letting go of them will never cause a ripple.

Without death, we would not have the opportunity to reincarnate as human beings, born during this precious time when Master is personally teaching the Fa in the world. As cultivators, we must look at life and death for what they are. If we can’t let go of the sentimentality or grief, it will distress both the deceased and the living.

Master told us:

“Faced with tests, a person’s true character is revealed” (“True Character Revealed,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress II)

Let us remember Master’s teaching and bring forth our true nature to face any test we encounter in life and cultivation. In fact, after coming to terms with life and death, it will no longer be a test for us.

This is my understanding at my level. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.

Editor's note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)