Cultivating Tolerance

(Minghui.org) If Falun Dafa practitioners cannot forbear it will cause disputes and conflicts, and even create gaps between fellow practitioners and affect the coordination and cooperation between them when working on Dafa projects.

Dirtying a Clean Floor

My father always walked on the clean wet kitchen floor with his dirty shoes after my wife had just mopped it.

My wife became resentful after this went on for a while. My wife and I practice Falun Dafa, so I told her, “A Dafa practitioner must cultivate forbearance. You should treat this as a tribulation and try to overcome it. The next time it happens, don't get angry, and just clean up after him.”

She followed my suggestion when my father walked on the wet floor with his dirty shoes again, and she just cleaned it up. She remained calm and felt no resentment.

My father subsequently waited until the floor was dry before walking on it.

My Father Stops His Nasty Habits

My father likes to smoke, so I got him an ashtray. But he never used it and just dumped his ashes on the floor. He also spat on the floor.

Master said,

“Our school of practice directly targets one’s mind. The key issue is whether you can take lightly and care less about the issues of individual gain and interpersonal conflicts.” (Zhuan Falun)

I tried my best to stay calm, and cleaned up after him without saying a word. As I continued to do this, my father soon began using the ashtray, and he also stopped spitting on the floor.

Finding My Competitive Mentality

Several years ago, my father began to curse at me whenever I came home. He did this all year round. I controlled my temper and never talked back or complained.

One summer's day I came home tired and thirsty. My father didn't ask me if I wanted something to eat or drink, but instead he began cursing. I went in the yard to get water and felt angry inside.

Master said,

“This is because when a conflict occurs, it will take place unexpectedly. But that is not a coincidence—it is for improving your xinxing. As long as you treat yourself as a practitioner, you can handle it properly.” (Zhuan Falun)

I wondered why, for so long, my father continued to curse at me when I came home. When I was arrested for my faith, he went to the police station and asked for me to be released. So why was he now cursing?

I realized that this was a chance for me to improve my xinxing. My competitive mentality was too strong, and I was not truly cultivating “forbearance.” I was just restraining myself from yelling back. If I was truly tolerant I would not feel anger inside. Master wanted me to eliminate my attachment to competitiveness, and to improve.

After I understood this, I went back to the room and listened quietly to my father’s cursing. I could see that he was tired as he sat on the bed, so I sat beside him and listened. He cursed for a long time, and gradually I no longer felt any anger. I did not feel that his cursing had anything to do with me, and I remained calm. Suddenly, he stopped cursing.

My father has not cursed again since that day, and is now always happy to see me. My understanding is that Master made my environment harmonious because I improved my xinxing and overcame the test.