(Clearwisdom.net) As a practitioner in China working in the culinary industry, I follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance when I prepare food.
Because the CCP has corrupted people's hearts, harmful food is appearing everywhere in China. Everyone should be beware of this and watch out. Businessmen, to maximize their profits, have forsaken moral behavior and place all their efforts into achieving the best possible results for the least cost. This is a common phenomenon. However, I still adhere to my principles and will not add false ingredients during any step of food production. I use traditional methods to create the desired blend of color, smell, and taste. For example, to save time and money, some vendors add excessive amounts of food coloring and other artificial ingredients to fool their customers. I go to numerous markets to find natural ingredients and use traditional cooking methods: stewing, seasoning, roasting, and smoking. I take my time and cook using authentic skills, and I put my heart into my work. I have to invest more into my business than those heartless merchants, but making money isn't my sole purpose. I think profit comes naturally with a good product. I don't pursue immediate returns, because what I want is a long-lasting business and proof that justice prevails.
The "poisonous milk" incident occurred because the past leader of production for the company turned out enormous amounts of substandard milk powder for immediate profit, with no concern for customer safety. Many people lost their lives, and the company lost its credibility. Though the evildoers made a quick profit, they lost their future and their chance to make long-term profits. I follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Despite having to devote more time and money than others (for example, I use only high-quality materials), I do not sell for a much higher price. I use complicated and painstaking methods in my work and maintain a neat work station every day. Looking back at it now, I do make less money than others in this profession. However, from a long-term perspective, the trust I build will bring positive results.
After watching the Shen Yun performances, I realized that Dafa practitioners, no matter what they do, must do it as well as they can. We are setting standards for the people of the next earth and encouraging the entire society to return to its origin. This is our duty and responsibility as practitioners. From the point of view of a higher level, practitioners--regardless of their profession--are saving both themselves and others. They are helping people around them and saving sentient beings. As Teacher said, "That's because a person who truly has gong, who truly has energy, leaves energy on anything he touches without even consciously sending it out, and it will shine." (Zhuan Falun). That means that the food cooked with our hands will contain pure energy, with the power to eradicate the evil beings and matter that harms people. I think people will definitely benefit from eating what I cook.
Of course, during this unique historic period, we not only have to follow the Fa's requirements at work everyday, but we also have to explain the truth about Falun Gong to them. We must find safe opportunities to tell people that our good deeds originate from Dafa's teachings. That is the way to help as well as to save sentient beings.
As practitioners during Fa rectification, we should view work from the correct perspective. We must use our skills to make a living, but the workplace is an environment for cultivation. We need to do our best to save sentient beings.
August 13, 2009
