(Clearwisdom.net) Some practitioners, especially younger practitioners in mainland China, are affected by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) atheist propaganda, and do not truly demonstrate respect for Master and Dafa. This is so even when they have a relatively deep understanding of “Fa” principles. I am one of those practitioners.
When I was a child, I laughed at old people who worshiped Buddhas. After I began studying the Fa, although I learned that believing in Buddha is not superstition, I did not connect the physical act of worship with respect for Master. It never occurred to me to burn incense before Master’s picture. Now that I think about it, I did not completely correct my actions. Falun Dafa was introduced to the world in the form of qigong. Practitioners of the younger generation do not have the concept of worshiping gods, yet they think they are not attached to ordinary people’s formalities. We are indeed affected by the CCP indoctrinations, such as breaking away from traditional culture and pursuing absolute freedom, seeking “equality and democracy" between the generations. All of these wrongful behaviors led officials and commoners, fathers and sons, to not properly play their roles, and it led to a lack of courtesy and manners.
I have gradually come to understand the great significance of respect for Master and Dafa. Dafa is dignified. Gods in the universe express infinite reverence toward Master and Dafa in their hearts and through their actions.
Respect for Master and Dafa is a basic requirement for Dafa disciples. It is the law of a certain level. Let me illustrate with a not-so-accurate example. Although parents don’t ask anything from children in return for their toil and nurturing, filial piety is a very important human virtue. After I came to this realization, I started paying attention to some details, such as putting Dafa books in appropriate places and consecrating Master’s picture. Over time I felt my righteous thoughts strengthened and some seemingly trivial details constantly remind me that Master is by my side.
Fa-rectification is rapidly pushing forward, and I dare not relent. Although I still do not do enough, I have made much progress. At first, my husband, who does not practice Dafa, witnessed the changes in me in terms of doing things to respect Master, and he thought it was funny at the beginning, but he gradually turned around to respect Dafa. He never again made casual comments about Master and Dafa.
Another practitioner’s husband did not oppose Dafa, but he did not want to completely accept Dafa either. He often argued with his wife. After this practitioner moved to a foreign country, she rented a room from a Dafa practitioner and put Master’s picture on a wall and carefully arranged and lined up Dafa books on a bookshelf. When her husband visited her, he saw the picture and bookshelf. He was greatly moved and his attitude toward Dafa changed significantly.
I realized we should safeguard the Fa of “reverence for Master and Dafa” on this level and rectify our words, actions and notions, so as to not leave any loopholes for the old forces to persecute us.
Respecting Master also ensures continued maintenance of our righteous thoughts and allows us to see the dignity and magnificence of Dafa, thus motivating us to strive forward even more diligently. At the same time, Dafa practitioners who do well could influence ordinary people and help them develop respect toward Dafa, which is also a way of rescuing them.
I decided to share my understandings with fellow practitioners in the hope that other practitioners who have the same problem as I once had can truly realize the importance of “reverence for Master and Dafa” and start acting accordingly.
