(Minghui.org) Esteemed Master and fellow practitioners:

Master Li said, “Dafa disciples’ duty is to save sentient beings.” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference”)

Achieving Results Without Human Thoughts

Another practitioner called me about a year ago and told me that she had met a journalist from a German-Swiss newspaper that was interested in writing an article about Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) and the persecution. Because this journalist was stationed as a correspondent in China, it was not possible to visit and talk to him. The practitioner suggested that we write a letter to the journalist.

We knew that this article would have a great effect on saving sentient beings, as this paper has a large circulation. Besides, it is read by the upper class, which would make this paper crucial when it comes to saving sentient beings.

We knew that everything was up to Master. His arrangements are always the most perfect and the best. Master also said that practitioners play the main role, whether negative or positive. We were very aware of what Master said;

"Neither heaven nor earth canblock my road of Fa-rectificationBut disciples' human hearts can." (“Troubles,” Hong Yin III)

In other words, the article could turn out bad if our human notions interfered, and have a negative impact. We could not interfere with Master's arrangement – we had to act responsibly.

The practitioner, who is Chinese, wrote a very touching letter, which was long and from a personal point of view. It truly touched my heart.

The journalist intended to give background and explanatory information at the beginning, using that as the basis for his research. Also, the Chinese practitioner thought that this article would be part of the journalist's mission concerning Falun Dafa. The goal was to give the journalist all information and background from the start, which would allow a good basis for further research.

In fact, the Chinese practitioner did not have much communication with the journalist. We discussed every single thought on the basis of the Fa, if we should mention it or not – and most importantly, we made sure that it did not arise from a human heart. We were certain that any thought that arose from the human heart would have a negative impact. We calmed down, let go of any human notions, and our hearts became pure.

Months later on July 22, 2019, exactly two days after the beginning of the 20th year of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, the article went into print.

We read it slowly, sentence by sentence. There was not a single negative word about Falun Dafa. The media has never stopped denigrating Dafa since the onset of the persecution. We felt deep gratitude. This was a true gift from Master to all sentient beings in German-speaking Switzerland. This newspaper is not only widely read in Switzerland, but also abroad. This article was not really a product of our efforts, but Master had arranged it for saving all sentient beings. All we have to do is to help Master in everything, and make sure that our human notions do not interfere. Only a pure heart can have a good effect.

Master said,

“If you are able to succeed in improving yourself this way, what you do then, with a pure heart, will be the best and most sacred.” (“Further Understanding,” Essentials for Further Advancement)

"Question: When we don't have any [preconceived] notions or preset plans, the effect of validating the Fa is excellent, and when the opposite is true the effect is poor.

"Teacher: Yes, with a lot of things you do, when you are free of human notions your own attachments won't get mixed in. If, beyond being responsible to the Fa, you have no human attachments, none of your own things, and none of your personal factors mixed in, then you are sure to do that thing well. Whereas once you've mixed in your own factors, then you can't do that thing well. (“Teaching the Fa at the Meeting with Asia-Pacific Students,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. VI)

In our involvement in writing this article, we experienced that if we focus on the Fa, if we do not mix in human thoughts, human concerns, or fears, Master's arrangement will be unobstructed in its glory and perfection.

Practicing Forbearance

Master said,

“Forbearance is the key to improving one’s xinxing. To endure with anger, grievance, or tears is the forbearance of an everyday person who is attached to his concerns. To endure completely without anger or grievance is the forbearance of a cultivator.” (“What is Forbearance (Ren?)” Essentials for Further Advancement)

During a meeting a few years ago, a practitioner offended me. Tears came to my eyes and I had difficulty breathing. I understood that this was a test of forbearance. Could I practice forbearance when treated unfairly? What was this telling me about taking things to heart? Could I let go of my human heart? What was said had hurt me deeply. It happened to be lunchtime, so I could leave the hall quickly. I didn't want to tell anyone about it. However, I realized that I needed to look inward to find the root of my feelings and why I could not take the remark lightly. I understood that I was hurt because I still had the heart of an ordinary person. My heart was not pure.

“To really make the grade, you would have to not only keep your composure but also not let it get to you. Remember that a holy being would never let anything affect him or her emotionally; worldly things simply don’t occupy a holy person’s mind. They will always be pleasant and upbeat, however badly they might be treated.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)

Although I did not quarrel or return blow for blow and backed down, I knew that I managed to only achieve the human notion “forbearance with tears.” How far was that from the standard of a cultivator! I got in my car, annoyed that I had not passed the test better. 

Then I saw a small globe along the roadside, got out of the car and picked it up. Then, a man asked in passing if it belonged to me? I asked if it belonged to him, and held the globe towards that man, so I could hand it over if it belonged to him. But, he said that it did not belong to him but to me.

I experienced the Fa principle that Master taught in Zhuan Falun – nothing can be taken from you that belongs to you, and you can't get anything that does not belong to you. 

Thus, I understood that the remark by that practitioner was an opportunity for me to let go of my human notion – for feeling wronged. Everything was arranged by Master for me to cultivate. What was said is not important, even if it was true or not. Of great importance was that it showed that my heart was not pure, and I did not reach the standard of a cultivator. It gave me the opportunity to see if I'd elevated, and how I raised my cultivation level when my human heart experiences distress.

Master said,

“'He's right,And I'm wrong',What's to dispute?” (Who's Right, Who's Wrong,” Hong Yin (III))

Did I feel wronged because I had forgotten this teaching? Because I doubted? If I had remembered it, no matter what the practitioner said, he was right. If I judged his remark based on Master's teaching rather than on human notions, I would not even have had to practice forbearance. If I had forborne, I would have understood the practitioner's intent and cooperated with him to save sentient beings. An infinite forbearance for saving sentient beings would have displayed itself. Unfortunately, I failed.

After experiencing the globe issue, I made a greater effort to not indulge “feeling unfairly treated,” and accepted it without reservation. That means that without an attachment, I would have looked at issues in the reverse.

There are not many opportunities for being treated unfairly, which allow us to elevate and cultivate while transforming karma. Besides, I should not dismiss the opportunity for improving in cultivation. Anyway, the most difficult trials are the best for a cultivator.

Master said,

“Small tests lead to small improvements; big tests lead to big improvements. I hope that every practitioner is ready to endure great hardship, and will have the determination and willpower to embrace the hardship. You won’t acquire real gong without expending effort. No principle exists that will let you gain gong comfortably without any hardship or effort.” ("Cultivation of Character," Chapter III, Falun Gong)

I have known for years that this type of suffering during tests is in reality a pleasure for a cultivator, as well as a good thing, because we can only elevate when passing tests. After years of failing tests, I passed them just once.

When at a pastry shop, the waitress insulted me in front of all the other guests, and scolded me. While she was scolding, I listened attentively and calmly, and was happy. I knew that Master pointed out my shortcomings through her scolding. I really was happy for her verbally abusing me. I understood that after so many failures, I finally managed to pass the test of forbearance.

At the end of her reprimanding me, I thanked the woman for her true opinion. I gave her a Dafa brochure, which she accepted. Then she said that she would never forget me. My ability to pass her ranting and openly accept her words, left a positive impression on her mind. My conduct let her feel the truthfulness, kindness, and forbearance we cultivate, which were in line with the Fa principles. Thus she could accept the brochure without any hesitation.

As a result, I realized that having solidly cultivated does not mean that one does not come across troubles, but that it allows one to view everything based on the Fa, and act accordingly. The more we act this way, the easier it will be for us to save sentient beings and fulfill our mission.

Why Choosing to Cultivate 

Another practitioner and I discussed our reasons for cultivating. I said that I cultivate because Dafa is good. She responded that Dafa is not only good, but the best. I said that this is not what I wanted to say. I mean that Dafa is by itself good.

For the first time I realized that Dafa disciples during this historic cosmic battle between good and evil must stay on the side of goodness and help Master with his Fa-rectification, as well as save all sentient beings. I was overwhelmed by a humble feeling of gratitude. It is not a matter of course to be on the side of goodness during the time of Fa-rectification. How many beings were deceived and destroyed by the arrangements of the old forces and communism? How many living beings were rejected by the old forces and lost their future? There are far too many!

Dear fellow practitioners, I want to ask you: given the urgency to save all sentient beings, the sacredness of cultivating in Dafa – being guided by the Creator's wisdom – which human notion can't we do without? What human notions, attachments, stubbornness, and bias are we holding on to? What human heart is so important that we can't let go, even though we know that it it is against Master's Fa.

Are there still issues for which we find excuses that stop us from being truthful, compassionate, and forgiving? The question remains if we can recognize the test for what it is, and if we master the Fa principles that are the basis for the test. We truly need to understand the fundamentals of the Fa, so we can assist Master in his Fa-rectification, and help him saving sentient beings. The time that allows us to fail tests, and be tested again is nearing its end. Let's do better and better as one body.

Treasure the Path Toward Godhood

A true heart is the most powerful key for a cultivator. If my heart is not pure, and I forget to look inward, then all three Dafa principles – Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance – are the most difficult to maintain. Yet, Master's Fa keeps reminding us.

Master said:

“Dafa disciples’ Forbearance is noble; is the manifestation of beings’ magnificent, indestructible, and diamond-like solidity; is tolerance for the purpose of upholding the truth; and is mercy toward and salvation of beings who still have human nature and righteous thoughts.” (“Beyond the Limits of Forbearance,” Essentials for Further Advancement II)

This tells me that practicing Forbearance is of utmost importance. It is just as Master said, that it affects the “indestructibility of life.” It essentially concerns the question of whether we can develop truth, develop compassion, and save sentient beings, as well as put the saving of sentient beings above all our own needs. It also concerns whether we are prepared to endure everything needed to save sentient beings.

Thus, I hope that we can help each other, and remember that we are Dafa disciples of the Fa-rectification. That in order to come to this Earth to help Master we have given up everything in the Heavens, and have come down, believing in Master's ability to save sentient beings, and successfully complete the Fa-rectification. Let us remember what we were created for and what we have come for.

We came here to save sentient beings. Let us walk the last steps together, help each other, and maintain a pure heart. Let us just follow Master's arrangement, and focus only on Dafa.

When fellow practitioners recount their cultivation experiences in Falun Dafa, their stories are a sacred testimony of their cultivation, shared from a human to a divine being. Therefore, let us treasure the path towards godhood under the guidance of Master.

(Presented at the 2019 Swiss Fa Conference)

German language version