Lesson Learned from Being Disrespectful to Master's Portrait

(Minghui.org) Master has told us in Zhuan Falun,

“Some people say that they take my picture to the homes of their friends and family to drive off evil spirits, but my picture isn’t for driving off evil spirits for ordinary people. That’s about the most disrespectful thing you could do to your teacher.” (The Fifth Talk from Zhuan Falun) (Translation Edition (Feb. 2003, North America))

However, some fellow practitioners still don't have a clear understanding on this issue after years of Fa study.

A fellow practitioner told me that another practitioner wanted me to give her a couple of Master's portraits. I didn't think too much, and planned to give her the portrait. Then a third practitioner visited me. When I told her about it, she thought that the practitioner asking for the portraits planned to burn incense in front of them. The third practitioner said one portrait would be enough. So, I gave one portrait to be passed along.

When I went to deliver Minghui Weekly a few days later, the practitioner who passed on the portrait told me that the practitioner asking for the portrait had fallen four or five time in one day and was bruised all over. Her eyes were terribly swollen, and she fell again the next day. I sensed something was wrong, so I went to visit her.

I asked her what happened, but she said she didn't know. I asked her where she had put Master's portrait. She replied, “My son has a new house. I put the portrait in a box and gave it to my son.”

I know that she doesn't live with her son, and that her son and daughter-in-law aren't Falun Dafa practitioners. I asked her why she gave them Master's portrait. She replied, “So that Master can help them.” I asked, “Help them with what?” She said, “To clear out harmful things in other dimensions.” I asked, “So, why did you ask for two portraits?” Her answer surprised me even more. She said, “One for the first floor, and one for the second floor.”

Since she is a veteran practitioner, and often studies the Fa with our group I was surprised by her behavior. I also blamed myself for giving her a portrait without asking what she planned to do with it. I asked the practitioner who passed on the portrait to get it back as soon as possible.

Master's portrait isn't for cleaning out things in other dimensions for ordinary people. This incident reminded me that we need to look constantly inward for our attachments. I wanted like to share what happened with fellow practitioners to remind us: We have to respect Master and Dafa, and treat this issue seriously.