Is Individual Consummation the Goal of Cultivation?

(Minghui.org) A fellow practitioner asked me, “If there was no such concept as consummation in cultivation, would you have remained committed to cultivation until today?” I was at a loss for words and had no idea how to answer this question.

I had to ask myself if I would have truly continued to practice Falun Dafa if consummation would not be the ultimate outcome of cultivation, especially given the 16-year long persecution. This posed the question, “What is our goal in cultivation?”

Master said,

“The ultimate goal of cultivation practice is to attain the Tao and complete cultivation.”(Zhuan Falun)

Other than that, what do we cultivate for? We cannot cultivate for the sake of cultivating, can we? But, why did that practitioner ask me this question? It cannot be a coincidence. I kept asking myself if I am attached to consummation.

I found my attachment to consummation many years ago. I even wrote an experience sharing article about letting go of this attachment. But, does this mean that I had really let it go? Maybe I still have it. Perhaps I got rid of it at the level I had reached back then, but after I improved to a higher level, it surfaced again. The only step I could take was to look inward carefully.

Slacking Off

As disciples during the Fa-rectification period, it is our responsibility to help Master and save sentient beings. I used to be enthusiastic and passionate about saving people. Although I held fear, I always cooperated with fellow practitioners to save people. But, why have I lost the passion and momentum now?

Was my motivation back then to save people? Perhaps not completely. Deep in my heart, my goal was consummation.

Master said,

“... you should do well the three things Dafa disciples need to do, and everything is encompassed in them.” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2003 Atlanta Fa Conference”)

Given my attachment, I thought: “If I do the three things well, I will reach consummation.” That is why I held onto passion and enthusiasm for this cultivation practice.

Why am I not passionate now? It is because I thought what I have done is enough for me to reach consummation. My thoughts were, “I've done a lot, and I am exhausted. But meanwhile, I am afraid that I will fall behind if I completely stop doing everything. So, I force myself to do some routine things, and barely do the minimum. Sometimes, I only do things I like, and refuse to cooperate on things I don't like.” Overall, I slacked off.

New Universe: Considering Others First

Obviously, taking reaching consummation as the motivation of cultivation is grounded in selfishness. Master wants us to become completely selfless enlightened beings through cultivation, and enter the new universe.

However, as a life born in the old universe, my nature is selfish, so I often look out for my own interests. Sometimes, I prioritize others at the surface level, but deep inside there are selfish components in my motivation. Nonetheless, the lives in the new universe are selfless and always consider others first. This is the realm that a cultivator must reach.

If we always have a selfish motivation and an impure heart, how can we develop compassion?

Master said,

“Of course, personal Consummation is the first priority, since there's nothing more to talk about if you can't reach Consummation.” (Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference)

This is because if we do not reach consummation, our sentient beings will have no place to go. But, how can a great enlightened being, who is supposed to give up everything for sentient beings, reach the criteria of the new universe if he always prioritizes himself?

Goal in the Old Universe

Individual consummation was the goal of cultivators in the past. They went into the mountains or temples, and cultivated through enduring pain. But today, during the Fa-rectification period, our goal is to help Master rectify the Fa. Our responsibility and tasks are immense, and the criteria for us is much higher. Cultivating ourselves while doing the three things, our motivation should be selfless, and we should always consider others first. Only if we do so, can we save more sentient beings.

My fellow practitioner's question made me see my loopholes. I used to think that I did well in cultivation, but actually, I had a lot of selfishness. We will reach the criteria set by the Fa only if we solidly cultivate our hearts. Otherwise, no matter how much we do, we still have loopholes.

Only by improving our xinxing can we do better in helping Master to save people, and not betray Master's compassionate salvation.