(Minghui.org) I tried to look inward when I had thoughts of complaining about others, but unfortunately, I was unable to find the attachment that was the root cause of my problems and could not resolve them.

I began to look deeper after reading that practitioners must eliminate the attachment of jealousy. Master Li Hongzhi taught:

“The issue of jealousy is very serious as it directly involves the matter of whether or not you can complete cultivation. If jealousy is not abolished, everything that you have cultivated will become fragile. There is this rule: If in the course of cultivation jealousy is not given up, one will not attain Righteous Fruition—absolutely not.” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun)

The reason I wanted to cultivate was to return to my true self. I had always thought that I didn't have the attachment of jealousy. But I found that cultivation practice was not as easy as I thought it would be.

Our attachments have deep roots because they have accumulated throughout many reincarnations. Cultivation practice is about eliminating such attachments at their roots so we can return to our true selves.

Discovering Intolerance and Selfishness

I found that I did have jealousy and that it manifested in all aspects of my life. For example, I disliked colleagues who flattered their managers, and felt unbalanced when I saw them gain benefits in this manner. I sometimes looked for flaws in those who had expertise. These were all signs of jealousy.

I realized that I can’t change other people. Without cultivation, I could not even change myself. Jealousy only makes one more selfish and narrow-minded; such people become entangled in the troubles of the world and ruin themselves.

Master Li said:

“Did you know that in order to save you the Buddha once begged for food among everyday people? Today, I once again make the door wide open, and teach this Dafa to save you. I have never felt bitter for the numerous hardships I have suffered. Then what do you have that still can’t be abandoned? Can you bring to heaven the things deep down inside that you cannot let go of?” (“True Cultivation,” Essentials for Further Advancement)

Jealousy also promotes attachments to fame and showing off. We developed these attachments throughout our lives; they are not part of our true nature. We must eliminate them in cultivation. The cause of our complaining is the attachment to jealousy.

I also realized that the root of jealousy is selfishness, which is the cause for the degeneration of the old universe. Being self-centred is a manifestation of selfishness. A person who is selfish does not have compassion for others. They use any means to achieve their goals and compete with others.

Master said:

“From now on, whatever you do, you should consider others first, so as to attain the righteous Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism.” (“Non-Omission in Buddha-Nature,” Essentials for Further Advancement)

“Since it’s cultivation, nothing on our path of cultivation is coincidental.” (Teaching the Fa at the Conference in New Zealand)

Everything we encounter is for our cultivation. We should not complain even if we suffer for no reason. From the perspective of Dafa, although we suffered on the surface, we also reduced our karma and upgraded our xinxing. We should follow Master's requirements to look inward and cultivate ourselves.

Only when we see the tribulations in life as steps to improve ourselves can we walk out of our selfishness. I appreciate Master teaching me how to be tolerant, look inward, and strive toward the state of “selflessness and altruism.”