Some Thoughts on True Reverence

(Mighui.org) I've read many articles written by fellow practitioners, and my feelings have grown deeper the longer I cultivate, especially when I encounter contradictions. As a Dafa disciple, I have a deep sense of reverence for Master. Here, I would like share some of my thoughts.

Many times when I see apprentices in different industries show off what they have learned with style and brilliance to promote the grandeur of their particular trades, I cheer for them secretly. When I notice how good they are, I am motivated to look at myself: I am a Dafa disciple, Master’s apprentice. How well have I learned from Master? How much have I understood about Master’s teachings? To be able to do according to Master’s plan and arrangement is a genuine joy. This is what I consider true reverence for Master.

Being a practitioner among other practitioners, there will be many situations that sorely test our xinxing. In history, those who left home to cultivate in isolation did so in order to rid themselves of their attachments to fame and profit or because they were disappointed with life or had witnessed too much evil in society. They went off on their own to seek relief and peace.

However, many people who devote themselves to various religions become selfish and self-centered. Some decide they have cultivated enough and are eager to return to society to show off. There are also those who look at themselves as veteran practitioners and think that they have cultivated quite well, so that they somehow get lost in false pride. They gloat when people crowd around them to ask questions. When they notice people flocking to others to seek enlightenment, they get jealous. This happens frequently.

Take Jiang Ziya in the book Investiture of the Gods as an example. The Primitive God of Heaven chose him to confer titles on immortals. Jiang didn’t really want to do that. He felt his knowledge was still too shallow, and he would have rather stayed behind. He went, though, because he didn’t want to go against his master’s wishes.

Shen Gongbao, on the other hand, had been a disciple longer, with more experience and greater supernormal powers. He thought he was exceedingly capable. He could even return his head to his shoulders after it had been cut off. When he heard that Jiang, whom he had looked down on all along, was the chosen one, he felt his lifelong ambition to do big things had been dashed. He became very upset.

“Looking down on other people” is an attachment that often gives rise to jealousy. So, when I meet people who may not appear very capable, I look for their strengths, to see what I can learn from. Or, I will think that what they really need is my compassionate assistance, and I ignore their inadequacies. If I cannot help, then I will question the strength of my compassion and the depth of my wisdom. I will then conclude that I need to elevate my compassion, my wisdom, and my ability.

There are many real life examples. There are people who think they have accomplished some important things or that they have learned quite a bit, so they think they can go ahead and prove themselves by setting up their own schools of thought. However, true practitioners will only have the desire to keep on cultivating, and not go after human recognition. That’s why, in the realm of cultivation, one needs to achieve a state of selfless purity.

Being selfless is not really without the self. It must means that we can’t just look at problems and issues only from the point of view of the “self.” For example, scientists involved in creating genetically modified foods do that based on their own understandings. They may solve the problem of getting rid of harmful insects, but they fail to recognize that they have messed up the cycle of life in the universe.

Among practitioners, there have been those who made speeches that misinterpreted the Fa. I understand this mentality can be motivated by a desire to help other practitioners to improve. However, when the realm of the practitioner’s xinxing has not reached full selflessness, doing something "good for the Fa" will more likely end up confirming the self. Because, from the perspective of the realm of selflessness, when a good idea or a good wish appears, that idea or wish may become an attachment. Often, those good ideas and wishes are accompanied by the attachment to proving oneself.

Some fellow practitioners think I cultivate well and like to ask me all sorts of questions. When I try to help, I will pay special attention to reminding them to weigh their own xinxing and to uncover their attachments, and I do my best to guide them to Master’s original words so they can arrive at their own Fa understanding. I try not to explain too much so as not to unduly influence them, being mindful that everything is Master’s arrangement, not mine.

If there is no attachment to fame or profit, being elbowed out or wronged by colleagues will not concern us very much. If our explanation is not listened to or accepted, it is no big deal. It’s not necessary to force others to acknowledge us. Each life is independent. No one has to understand us. On the contrary, it is we that must treat others with compassion and understanding. That will be enough.

A high-level being can create with just a dynamic concept. If the concept creates a bench, then there will be a bench; if it is to create a table, then there is a table. The idea that such a bench is "unhappy" to be a bench is ridiculous. That is getting a swelled head, being carried away, and forgetting oneself.

I will strive to be a truly devout disciple. To be Master's disciple, especially in this Fa rectification period, is the greatest honor. I will always maintain the correct position in my relationship with Dafa.

The above is just my personal understanding. If I have said anything incorrect, please point it out.