(Minghui.org) I have a neighbor who has land that borders ours. Every spring, we each planted our own crops and never had an issue.
Several years ago, however, they planted two yards over the border onto our land. I thought about what Master (Li Hongzhi) told us:
Not caring about human pain or joyIs a cultivatorNot attached to gain or loss in the worldAn Arhat(“Leaping Out of the Three Realms”, Hong Yin Translation Version B)
So we did not say anything and just backed off an additional yard.
The next spring, they again planted on those two yards, as well as the extra yard we backed off, and an additional two more yards. We then backed off another yard.
The third year, they just simply planted over all of our land.
At this point, my son and daughter-in-law became angry and wanted to go confront them about it. But I remembered that Master said,
“If something is yours, you will not lose it. If something is not yours, you will not have it even if you fight for it.” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun)
I wondered if all this was happening to help me realize my attachment to gain. Since the neighbor wanted it, then it might not be mine. I would just give it to him. I also remembered another of Master's teachings,
“In this complex environment of everyday people, you should be clear-minded and knowingly lose in terms of interests. When your self-interest is taken by others, you will not go to compete and fight for it like others. With different xinxing interference, you will suffer losses. In this difficult environment, you will temper your will and upgrade your xinxing. Under the influence of different ill thoughts from everyday people, you will be able to reach above and beyond.” (Lecture Eight, Zhuan Falun)
“I am a practitioner,” I thought, “I must listen to Master and not fight with him.” Then I felt better and proceeded to convince my children that the land was not a big deal and we should not fight. We would survive without planting that parcel of land.
Then I noticed that he appeared to be watching us. For the last three years, he would often stand and curse while facing our home. Sometimes he would set off firecrackers behind our backyard. But I again was able to calm myself down after remembering what Master told us,
“As a practitioner, the first thing you should be able to do is to not fight back when you are beaten or sworn at—you must be tolerant. Otherwise, what kind of practitioner will you be?” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)
Last year his cursing got worse. This time I thought about it deeper, “Why is he behaving like this?” Master said,
“But have you asked yourself, "Did we perhaps do something wrong?" The truth is, when your understanding of it is right and you handle things correctly, those people and occurrences will disappear, for things cannot happen among Dafa disciples without a reason--that is not allowed, and no one dares to violate this.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2009 Washington DC International Fa Conference”, Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. IX)
So I began to look within to see if there was something that I did wrong. What attachment of mine was causing this? Was the fact that he seemed to be watching us due to my suspicion or fear?
I realized that I also had resentment. After he took our land, even though I did not argue with him, I had this slight resentment toward him deeply hidden in my heart. I began to look down on my neighbors and regarded them as bad people. I even told my family to stay away from them.
After discovering these notions and attachments, I felt better and began to feel compassion toward this man. I thought, “Could this neighbor's behavior be a hint that I should go talk to them about Falun Dafa?” Master said,
“Dafa disciples are the sole hope for people’s salvation” (“The Only Hope” Hong Yin III)
So I decided to go to their home to clarify the facts.
As soon I walked into their yard, his wife warmly greeted me, and they invited me in. Then we chatted about many things. His wife said, “My husband is very simple-minded. But there is one disturbing thing that he does, he curses when he drinks. Maybe you could talk to him about it.”
I said to him, “You should not curse. When you curse you get angry, and that will damage your health.”
He replied, “I know that, too, but I just cannot control myself. I fear I could die from my anger.”
I said, “No I do not think that could happen. Just don't curse and you will not get so angry.”
As I was saying that, all the resentment and feelings of unfairness I had in my heart were all gone. I only felt pity for this man.
Then he talked about when the patrol group and police came into the village; they asked him to hide in designated spots to look for Falun Dafa practitioners.
I said, “That would be a bad thing to do, instead you could use this opportunity to protect Dafa practitioners. You could just say you do not see any of them. Protecting Dafa practitioners will bring you a lot virtue.”
He said, “That is exactly what I do. The day I saw Mr. Wang posting something, I did not say anything or report him.”
I replied: “That is great. Do you remember our previous village leader? Back then, when the persecution first started, it was so evil, but he protected us. Look at how great he is doing now! And as you know, the only reason we are telling you this is so you will not be fooled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Also, according to the law, what we are doing is completely legal. Look at those who were once the CCP's top leaders and directly participated in persecuting Falun Dafa, such as Bo Xilai, Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, Zhou Yongkang, etc. They have all received retribution and are now in jail. The CCP has done many bad things. Heaven will destroy it.”
His wife agreed, “The CCP is indeed done. They are corrupt.”
Finally, I said to him, “I was concerned that you might have some misunderstanding about Falun Dafa.”
He assured me, “Trust me neighbor, I will never do anything harmful to a Dafa practitioner.”
I had to go home even though I was asked to stay longer. I never could have imagined to have such a good conversation with my neighbors!
