(Minghui.org) After 1999, many practitioners left China to escape persecution. Some were criticized by overseas practitioners for having strong “party culture,” and some then considered returning to China. Their new countries just did not feel like home to them.
I cannot say whether those practitioners were right or wrong; however, I would like to share my thoughts on this issue.
Master said:
“When one’s Buddha-nature emerges, it will shake the World of Ten Directions.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
Master teaches us that if a person wants to cultivate, higher beings will help. It would be good if practitioners could have such compassion for each other.
We all learn from the same Master and practice the same Fa. We all want to end the persecution of Falun Gong in China and let more people know about the practice. As such, we should treasure and respect each other for the things we have in common. The conflicts among practitioners are only small matters to help us elevate our xinxing. We should therefore point out each other's shortcomings with mutual understanding and tolerance.
Sharing a Cultivation Environment
Our area’s group Fa-study provides a cultivation environment that can be likened to a furnace: Everyone's cultivation state will determine how hot the fire gets.
Practitioners who left China more recently might have more party culture. If the furnace is hot enough, however, it can melt away that culture immediately. If it cannot, that means our cultivation states need to improve. Everyone contributes to their environment, so it will only improve if everyone looks within.
Also, we all hope that more practitioners join our projects. Cultivation is not easy, however, and newcomers also bring challenges and tests for everyone in the project. The furnace will only reach the required temperature when everyone works together as one body. If the furnace is hot enough, everyone's xinxing will elevate together when other practitioners join the environment.
Effective communication and looking within are essential parts of every practitioner’s cultivation. This will, in turn, affect the area at large. Ultimately, we help ourselves by helping others.
The Problem of Being Unable to Adapt to a New Country
When acclimating to a new place, it is important to let go of one's attachment to self.
Master said:
“I come and go, concerned with nothing but the FaNo fame, nor gain, my heart pursues nothing” (“Wandering," Hong Yin IV)
Fitting into a new environment can be difficult if we are not aligned with the Fa and do not let go of our attachments. Habits that were once unnoticeable in China can become obvious in non-communist societies. What’s more, barriers are likely to form when relationships are not handled properly.
Master said:
“With attachments left behind, the lightened boats sail swiftly,” (“The Knowing Heart,” Essentials for Further Advancement II)
Our goal is to help Master with Fa-rectification, no matter where we are. Overseas practitioners have been helping Master and practitioners in mainland China since the persecution started in 1999. Knowing this, we should not focus on how they treat us when we come face to face, because we already have so much in common.
I don't have an opinion on where the correct place to live is. But I do know that avoidance is wrong. The most difficult part is seeing the problem. Party culture is more obvious outside of mainland China; therefore, it will be easier to identify and eliminate. If a mainland practitioner gives up on living overseas and moves back to China, they might feel like they fit in, but the attachment to comfort will still be there. Only through diligent cultivation can we eliminate our most stubborn characteristics.
Don't Let Party Culture Become a Barrier
Since we are all practitioners, let's not focus on what we see on the surface. It is inevitable that practitioners in mainland China will be influenced by the Communist Party. But deep down, they probably have hearts of gold. They just need help from other practitioners.
Practitioners from mainland China should not blame overseas practitioners for being critical of them. Overseas practitioners are not prejudiced toward mainlanders; it is the party culture that irritates them.
Party culture should not exist in our cultivation environment. If it is part of us, it must be eliminated. This can be painful and there may be resistance, but it must be done before our true selves can shine through. We have let go of so many attachments already, so why would we hold onto something that even ordinary people find distasteful?
Home Can Be Anywhere
I think it would be best if practitioners who move to a new country try their best to adapt. Practitioners are one body, and every cultivation environment is precious. In other words, we should contribute in a positive way anywhere we go.
Perhaps the move is predestined. There may be karmic relationships that have spanned many lifetimes and need to be resolved. Let's not avoid hardship by focusing on the imperfections of a new environment. Harmonizing them is the right thing to do. Plus, as long as the Fa is with us, we can make a home anywhere.
It’s like what Master said:
“It has been said, 'When I come to this ordinary human society, it’s just like checking into a hotel for a few days. Then I leave in a hurry.'” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)
This is, of course, is easier said than done. I hope my personal thoughts, can be of some use to practitioners in these situations.
Category: Improving Oneself
