(Clearwisdom.net) On March 8, 2006, our Fa-study group studied Master's lecture "Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles." Master said,
"When Dafa disciples make mistakes, they do not like to be criticized. No one can criticize them, and when someone does, it sets them off. When they are right, they don't like others bringing up things they could improve on; when they are wrong, they don't want to be criticized. They get upset as soon as others criticize. The problem is becoming pretty bad."
When we read that part, each and every one of us were jolted, feeling both moved and ashamed. We eagerly started to share about how we had fallen short in this area and resolved to do better in the future. The Fa-study session turned into an experience-sharing occasion in which everyone tried to cultivate him or herself by looking inside.
A 72-year-old woman, who obtained the Fa in 1996, has been diligent all along and done very well in all aspects. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Revered Master's every word and every sentence are directed at me. I behave the worst, and I never let others point out my shortcomings. I grew up never letting others criticize me. I'm determined to keep Master's teachings in mind and face criticisms and disagreements as a cultivator should."
Another elderly practitioner followed by saying, "I am just as Master described: I always try to shift the blame by searching outward whenever I come across conflicts. I'll make sure to get rid of these things in my future cultivation and pay attention to cultivating myself through looking inward."
A 65-year-old practitioner said, "I haven't done enough in this aspect, either. In the face of criticisms or blames from others, I can't pass the test in my heart, even though I don't say it out loud. I always become uneasy and sometimes even feel wronged, nothing like what Master has taught us--end it with a smile and be calm or look for my own inadequacies while staying unaffected in my heart. "
The other fellow practitioners also used the Fa principles revered Master taught us to check for gaps and resolved to keep in mind Master's following words:
"...from now on you all must pay attention to this. You must get to the point where you are able to take criticism, regardless of who it's from. If there is truth to it you correct yourself, and if not, you are mindful of it. If you can stay unruffled while being criticized or chided, you are improving." ("Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles")
In the end, everyone agreed that in the future we should directly point out one another's shortcomings whenever we see them and we should all willingly and readily accept such candor. We should never forget what we are doing here and always remember that we are cultivating ourselves and, at the same time, saving sentient beings.