(Minghui.org) I worked as a sales assistant in a large department store, and our section had over 30 sales assistants, working in two shifts, Team A and Team B. I worked in Team A, selling men’s sweaters with my sales partner, Ming.

We were changing shifts one day, when sales assistant Wang from Team B told everyone her jacket was gone. She said this loudly in front of everyone and, even though she didn’t mention my name, she made it obvious that she thought I stole her jacket.

It wasn’t long before all the staff knew about the incident, and some of them gave me suspicious looks. My heart was calm. I hadn’t stolen her jacket and I’d never even seen it. I knew that this incident was an opportunity to elevate my xinxing. I had to cultivate Forbearance, so I didn’t think much about it.

The next day, I saw the head of Team B talking to some of the sales staff at the men’s sweater counter. My sales partner Ming came over and said, “Chen, the head of Team B was implying that you stole the jacket. She didn’t accuse you by name, but everyone knew who she meant. Why didn’t you say anything? I was about to say something, but you didn’t say anything!” Ming thought I was being treated unfairly.

I told her, “If I’d said something, wouldn’t we have just ended up arguing?”

Ming knew I wouldn’t touch other people’s things. She knew I am a Dafa practitioner and I live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She also knew that stealing is not something cultivators would do.

I knew why Ming was taking my side. When we started working together, I made a lot of sales, but she didn’t make any. She felt embarrassed in front of our management, and I wanted to help her. Dafa practitioners have to let go of self interest and think about others, so I put her name on the sales I made. I did this because Ming had been willing to listen and acknowledge the truth about the persecution of Falun Dafa when I told her about it, and it was an opportunity to show the goodness of Dafa through my actions. Ming was surprised and asked, “Chen, why did you put my name on your sales?” I replied, “I want you to starting making sales!” She was quite touched, and soon after, she started making sales. She was grateful. I felt that it was a blessing from Dafa.

Ming said, “You kept quiet and think it will blow over because you didn’t steal, but what about your reputation?”

Ming had a point. If people believe a Falun Dafa practitioner steals, not only could I lose my job, but it would also tarnish Dafa’s name. But then again, the historical figure Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between someone’s legs. Han Xin wasn’t a cultivator, yet I am a cultivator, so I shouldn’t get into an argument.

Ming asked me, “Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you question her? She was insulting you. You must tell her it wasn’t you!”

The other staff overheard Ming and some of them agreed, saying, “It’s right that you should tell her. You shouldn’t take the blame for something you didn’t do or people will think you did it.”

I became moved at the thought of being wrongfully accused and losing face. But I knew this was a cultivation test and I had to pass it. I told Ming, “I’ll talk to her tomorrow, and ask her why she thought I took her jacket.”

I am grateful for Master’s teaching. I was able to take a step back and not argue with the person who lost her jacket right at the height of her anger. It would be better to talk things over after everyone calmed down. I am also grateful for my coworkers who helped me improve my cultivation.

The next day, soon after the shift change, the head of Team B spoke to me, “Chen, you don’t need to talk to Wang. I’ve already spoken to her. I told her that you’re not that kind of person and that I had 300 yuan cash in my jacket pocket and when I left the jacket in the cabinet for three days, I didn’t lose any money. I apologize for her words.”

“Thank you for your trust. I honestly didn’t steal her jacket,” I replied.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “Just let it pass.”

I assured her I would.

My intent hadn’t been to argue but to just clarify the misunderstanding. I am a Dafa practitioner who lives up to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, and cultivating great tolerance is a must.