(Clearwisdom.net)
I am a new practitioner. Although I have known about Dafa from very early on, I did not start cultivation until I came to Toronto last year. I came into Dafa after I saw and felt the kindness and righteousness of Dafa practitioners. The following is some of my understanding.
First of all, I think that clarifying the truth and our cultivation are closely related. My sister obtained the Fa in 1996. I came to know many practitioners through her. Others can easily tell whether one is a true practitioner or how well he cultivates. Genuine practitioners are peaceful and pleasant, and others naturally want to approach them. Moreover, their words can touch the hearts of others. However, those people who only practice the Dafa exercises do not have this ability. In a true practitioner's heart, Dafa is always the priority. They do things for Dafa, not for doing things per se. Therefore, they can touch other's heart and their words can point directly to other's heart. Thus, their truth-clarification is powerful.
I also found out that some practitioners basically do things for the sake of accomplishing something. They are not willing to do some basic things. Some even think that it is a waste for practitioners with a good image or who have good language skills to distribute flyers or go to the (Chinese) embassy. Clarifying the truth looks very simple. But in my opinion, how well we understand the Fa is directly related to how powerful we clarify the truth. Take myself as an example; before I obtained the Fa, I also told my friends that Dafa is good. But no matter how hard I tried, I always failed to convince them. Why? Because I did not really understand the Fa. My words did not carry the power, plus I mixed in many of my attachments. Therefore, I was unable to convince others.
In addition, what practitioners do and say have a strong impact on ordinary people. In mainland China, many people do not have the chance to read Zhuan Falun. They only come to know Dafa through practitioners. Therefore, practitioners' behavior represents Dafa. Take my husband as an example. Before he came to Toronto, he was afraid and did not support my practicing Falun Gong. Through a half year's observation, he realizes the mighty virtue of Dafa and feels practitioners' peace and compassion. Now he has become a friend of Falun Gong and actively participates in Dafa activities. Isní t this the power of Dafa manifesting in a practitioner?
Another point is that a Dafa practitioner needs to be a good person in this ordinary society. Teacher said:
"You are cultivators, whose conduct is [supposed to be] pure and righteous. There are so many people who think you're great just by having seen how you act. If we don't pay attention to our own behavior in our daily lives, everyday people will see our actions and, since they can't get to know you at a deep level such as by studying the Fa, they will just look at how you act. And it's possible that one sentence or one action of yours will make them unsavable or create a bad impression of Dafa. We need to think about these things. (Cited from "Teaching the Fa at the 2002 Fa Conference in Boston")
My sister is a veteran practitioner. She is very diligent. But sometimes she would receive long phone calls at 1:00 or 2:00 am or when she was having meal. There are non-practitioners in her family and they may not understand the urgency of saving sentient beings. In addition, they need to go to work next day. Wouldní t they think that practitioners are not considerate? We need to pay attention to this detail or it will bring a negative effect to Dafa.
At last, I want to mention the issue of attire. It may seem that how to dress is a personal issue and has nothing to do with cultivation. But in my opinion, practitioners should dress neatly and make a good impression on others. Both sloppiness and overly dressing up are attachments. I sometimes see practitioners who dye their hair a strange color. I think as a practitioner, we should not become attached to this.
The above is my personal understanding. Please point out anything that is inappropriate.
