(Minghui.org) Upon opening the book Zhuan Falun, the two characters of “Dafa” came into view. “Dafa, Dafa”. I recited it twice in my heart, pondering the word “Da”--which means large or great. I seemed to gain some understanding after a while.
Master said:
“This practice of ours cultivates something very immense, as opposed to the many practices that imitate animals in their exercises. This practice cultivates something simply quite enormous. All of the principles that Sakyamuni and Lao Zi discussed in their time were confined to principles within our Milky Way. What does our Falun Dafa cultivate? Our cultivation practice is based upon the principles of the universe’s evolution, and it is guided by the standard of the universe’s highest characteristic, Zhen-Shan-Ren. We cultivate something so enormous that it equates to cultivating the universe.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
Why did Master talk about how immense the practice is? Isn't it to expand the capacity of cultivators and bring us from humble beginnings to higher and more powerful realms after knowing that there are layers of universes?
In fact, people's hard work in society is like picking up sesame seeds while losing watermelons, because humans are just at that realm. Like in an ant's realm, where scum is sought after. They even fight and kill other similar groups for that. Are humans any different? People launch wars for territory or sovereignty. They even kill themselves for a tiny bit of personal interest. Struggling and working hard their whole lives, they leave with empty hands and karma. Almost everyone in the world is like that.
In fact, people must have great character in order to make a difference. Master said:
“This showed that Han Xin had a heart of great forbearance. Because he was different from everyday people, he could accomplish those great achievements.” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)
Han Xin had great ambition and could bear insult, and thus made great achievements. To have such a degree of forbearance reflects his great realm and breadth of mind.
When it comes to cultivation, Buddha Sakyamuni used to be a prince. In the realm of the average person, he was at the pinnacle, and had no need to cultivate. But he had a greater and more remarkable ambition. Seeing the suffering of life and death and the cycle of reincarnation, he vowed to save all beings. He therefore overcame many obstacles, abandoned fame and fortune, and was even able to forego sitting on the throne. He resolutely embarked on the path of cultivation and attained righteous fruition through difficult cultivation.
Let's talk about Dafa disciples. For cultivation today, the temples have been dismantled, and we just cultivate in ordinary society! Yet, how immense is this Fa? How immense is the mighty virtue and realm? Unbelievable! In the eyes of Master:
“Earth is nothing but a speck of dust in the universe.” (“Awakening” in Essentials for Further Advancement)
Master said:
“Your xinxing cultivation has already made progress if, for instance, when someone swears at you among everyday people, you do not say a word and feel very calm; or when someone throws a fist at you, you do not say a word and let it go with a smile. Your xinxing level is already very high.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
We see that the evil has rolled over on earth to slander Master.
Master said:
“I knew that they would malign me, but I had no interest in learning what names they were calling me.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2007 New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. VIII)
Yes, the whole universe is going through Fa-rectification. There are so many things to do, other than listen to a toad's screaming. How great is the realm!
Realizing this greatness, I feel that everything is getting smaller in front of me, including hardship, happiness, fame, fortune, competition, and jealousy. They shrink and become nonexistent. Looking at the worldly people, they are all within my breadth of mind like watching my own children. How do adults fuss about the mistakes of children?
As for enlightenment, I have sometimes felt like the road is narrow and there is a traffic jam. But, once I enlightened to a cultivation principle, the road was wide and many cars could pass unimpeded. Perhaps other practitioners have also realized this. I can have such understandings today because Master explains profound principles in a clear and simple way.
At present, I only see Master’s three things as the largest: Learning the Fa and practicing the exercises, sending forth righteous thoughts, and clarifying the truth and saving people.