Master Is Waiting for Us at the “Finish Line”

(Minghui.org) After cultivating for 28 years, I have changed from a person full of karma to a good person—and then I began truly cultivating and understood the meaning of life. Although I stumbled and sometimes stagnated, I've made it to this day thanks to Master Li’s compassion and protection.

Becoming a Good Person

I was 27 years old when I began practicing Falun Dafa in 1996. I was excited and amazed and felt that my life would be happy from that point forward.

I did my best to act according to the standards of a practitioner when I began practicing. I no longer argued with my husband. Instead I endured, even though I felt wronged in my heart. My husband and I shared the courtyard with my in-laws, my brother-in-law’s family, my divorced sister-in-law and her children, and my unmarried sister-in-law, which made our family relationships complicated. I adhered to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance during confrontations with them and consistently demonstrated these principles. When I faced unfair treatment, particularly when money was involved, I endured with tears, even though it was difficult.

I was busy with my children and work, so I didn’t have much time to study the Fa, and my understandings were limited. As a result, my endurance was superficial—I silently endured but had grievances. I didn’t lose my temper in front of my in-laws. I thanked Master for teaching me how to become a good person.

Recognition at Work

Before I practiced Dafa, coworkers showed me how to take advantage of management loopholes and get small personal gains. Although I was initially nervous, there were no consequences, so I grew bolder. After I began practicing Dafa, I felt deeply ashamed and I regretted my actions. I donated the equivalent amount of money I'd taken to Falun Dafa material production sites.

My improved character was recognized by senior managers, who transferred me to the highly coveted position of purchaser of medical supplies. I consistently followed the rules in the face of temptations. One day, a drug company salesman approached me in the office and handed me a thick envelope. He said it contained invoices and quickly left. I opened it and found at least 3,000 yuan. I called him back and returned the money. I said I practiced Falun Dafa and I clarified the truth about Dafa and the persecution. He agreed to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. I felt a great sense of relief and was happy he accepted the facts.

Another time, a salesperson sent several bags of rice to my home. I called him and explained why I couldn’t accept them. He listened when I told him facts about Dafa but insisted that the rice could not be returned. Later, I donated an amount of money equal to the value of the rice and informed him that I did it on his behalf. He said he admired Falun Dafa practitioners’ upright behavior and he withdrew from the CCP and its affiliates.

The management where I worked later changed. The new director transferred me to the position of cafeteria manager, a more important role that others desired. He understood the truth about Falun Dafa and said he only trusted me for the position. The management team also approved my appointment. However, just before my appointment was announced, a coworker who wanted the job reported me for practicing Falun Dafa to a high-level manager. Our director was under pressure and had to find a compromise. He still wanted me to manage the cafeteria but changed my title to administrator. I received the same bonuses and the workers knew I was a manager, but I could not participate in the management meetings.

I resented the person who reported me, and I blamed the director for his unfair decision. I felt I'd been mistreated and wondered if I should accept the position he offered. The more I brooded, the angrier I became. I felt so disturbed that I was unable to calm down when I read the Fa. My mind was troubled for two days.

After studying the Fa, my gloomy heart brightened. I understood that, as a practitioner, I should listen to Master and let go of my attachments to fame and fortune. I accepted the position.

After working in the cafeteria for two months, I learned how easy it would be to pocket a lot of money through contracts with the food suppliers. I never used my position for personal profit. I even paid for my family members’ meals when they dined in the company cafeteria. When some of my coworkers asked me for free food, which was difficult to refuse, I paid for their food myself. The cafeteria staff saw what I did and admired my character.

When I was about to retire after serving in the position for two years, the director offered to rehire me. Although the offer was attractive and my salary would double, I declined to accept because retiring would give me more time to do the three things.

Cultivating Diligently

After I retired, I devoted more time to Fa study and set up a small Dafa material production center at my home. When my husband, who is also a practitioner, experienced sickness karma, we continued to study the Fa every day, made truth clarification materials, and talked to people about Falun Dafa. Although some people occasionally cursed at us or threatened to report us to the authorities, we remained safe under Master’s protection.

One day early this year, I was arrested along with practitioner Jing while we were telling people the facts about Dafa. Jing was released the same day, but I was detained for ten days. I asked Jing to help care for my mother, who is 81 and lives with me. My mother needed care but my sister couldn’t come for two days. Instead of helping my mother, Jing returned to her hometown to avoid further persecution.

After I was released and heard what Jing did, I was indignant and complained to the other practitioners that Jing hadn’t behaved as a practitioner should. They advised me not to take it personally and use it as an opportunity to improve my character. So, I studied the Fa intensively and realized how poor my reaction was and that I hadn’t used the opportunity to improve myself. Master requires us to look inward when we encounter tribulations; however, I looked for others’ wrongdoing. I apologized to Master. By truly examining myself, I found that I had attachments to relying on others, resentment, and jealousy. I thought I had already removed these attachments, but my actions showed that I was lagging in cultivation and needed to improve.

I also thought I'd removed my attachments to personal gain and wealth until, one day, my daughter pointed out my contradictory actions. I told her that I didn’t care about her boyfriend’s family situation, even though I kept asking about his parents’ professions. I was trying to understand their financial circumstances. I was so shocked by her words that I couldn’t sleep that night. Not only was I still attached to personal interest, I also behaved hypocritically and I was vain.

I was deeply disappointed in myself and despised my actions. The Fa-rectification is coming to an end, yet I still have so many attachments. I was aware that my cultivation remained at an elementary level, and my understanding of the Fa was quite shallow. I haven’t contributed much to Dafa during my years of cultivation. I felt really ashamed.

I later realized that all of my regret, remorse, and negative thoughts were imposed on me by the old forces to drag me down. I didn’t want negative thoughts to dictate my actions. Instead, I wanted to cultivate diligently and do the three things well. As long as the Fa-rectification is not yet over, I have a chance. I will sprint and keep sprinting, even if I might be the last one to reach the “finish line,” because I know that Master is there, waiting for us.