(Clearwisdom.net) Master has emphasized the power of cooperation as one body in multiple lectures. Master said,
“It's just like when this fist goes out--it's strong when everyone is clenched together. (Master makes a fist.) But if you're saying that this one wants to do this, that one wants to do that, and the next one something else (spreading the five fingers apart and pointing to each finger), then that's weak, and as soon as it goes out, it will be repelled, right? You need to have a plan and organize things, coordinate well, and cooperate with each other.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2009 Greater New York International Fa Conference”)
1. Cooperating as One Body, Improving as One Body
In the past year, while working on my projects, fellow practitioners and I have followed Master’s teachings, cooperated as a group and improved as one body.
Locating Former Practitioners and Organizing Group Study
In my opinion, locating practitioners who previously gave up the practice is every Dafa disciple’s responsibility. Coordinator “Z” and I visited some practitioners who stopped their practice due to sickness karma interference. Practitioner “J” had a stroke. She was very happy to see us when we visited her and agreed to have a Fa-study group in her home. We taught her the exercises and helped her study the Fa during the day. Fellow practitioners took turns to teach her the exercises, study the Fa and help her with household chores. After a while, they all improved spiritually. Practitioner “J” could even start doing some easier household chores herself.
Another husband and wife stopped their practice after July 20, 1999 due to fear. The husband later suffered severe kidney disease. The couple wanted to return to Dafa practice, so we established another Fa-study group in their home.
Improving while Participating in Fa-validation Activities
Prior to the Chinese New Year, the four of us worked with a coordinator to try and get to every house we could to explain the facts about Falun Dafa and encourage people to quit the Party and its affiliated organizations. Local practitioners led the way, and we spoke with the local people. I recorded their names of those that wanted to withdraw from the CCP and its related organizations. We traversed icy roads and passed rivers. Women practitioners held each other’s arms. We were not hungry, even though we forgot to eat lunch. We just had one thought - to rescue people. At the end of the day we had helped 120 people withdraw from the CCP.
The head of a village saw practitioners in Hong Kong helping people to quit the Party while he was there on business. When we met him, he happily agreed to quit. Another head of a village half joked with us, “You better hurry up and leave. Otherwise, I will call the police.” The local practitioners responded, “We have already discussed the facts about Falun Dafa with the police here.” I was deeply moved by how compassionate and patient the local practitioners were.
I realized that if we truly listen to what Master asks us to do and truly follow Master’s requirements, we will do well.
Participating as One Body in Projects to Offer Sentient Beings Salvation
At the beginning of spring, coordinator “B” and I went to several townships three times in a mountainous area, which was several dozen miles away from the city, to reach out to former practitioners. We visited several practitioners who were interfered with by sickness karma or were recently released from prison. After Fa-study, we all reached a better understanding about our responsibility in Fa-rectification and the seriousness of cultivation.
In the summer, I rode a motorcycle to three townships, one of them about 20 miles away. I worked with two coordinators and convinced a former practitioner to return to cultivation. After we left, the coordinator told me that the former practitioner said, “After that practitioner rode a motorcycle all that way just to see me, I will return to cultivation.”
Cooperating as one body on a project made me realize that as long as we let go of our human notions and diligently do what Master asks us to do, nothing can block us. When everyone cooperates well and works towards the same goal, we will do well in everything.
Cooperating as One Body to Help Practitioners with Sickness Karma
Elderly practitioner “B” has been stuck at the stage of just wanting to keep fit and be free of illness since she started Falun Gong practice. She had heart disease in the past. As soon as she obtained the Fa, Master purified her body. Two years later she had shingles. With her firm belief in Master, she passed the test.
The other test was diabetes last year, which was a big challenge for her and us. Practitioners studied the Fa with her to improve her enlightenment. She passed that test, too. This summer, she became thinner, which made her family worry. She kept taking medicines and went to different doctors for different checkups. Eventually she was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer.
When we found out, seven practitioners went to elderly practitioner “B”'s home at 7:00 p.m. that same night to study the Fa and send forth righteous thoughts. In the meantime, we asked other practitioners to take time to study the Fa with her during the day. We did this for about a week. Later on, we continued to go to her home to send forth righteous thoughts. Master said,“We emphasize one point: If you cannot relinquish the attachment or concern for illness, we cannot do anything and will be unable to help you.” (Zhuan Falun). While helping the practitioners who suffered from sickness karma, we understood that “When you need to act together in concert to complete something, everyone has to work on it.” (“Be More Diligent”).
2. Seizing the Time to Offer Sentient Beings Salvation While Working Together
Master has taught us again in “Be More Diligent” that the time for saving sentient beings is very tight. We must do our utmost to rescue sentient beings.
Whenever it is market day, practitioner “X” and I often work together to clarify the truth to people using CDs and computer materials, which has been very effective.
Once, I began a conversation with two peasant workers sitting next to me. In order for people around us to hear us, I intentionally raised my voice. I began speaking about circumstances from present-day society to the corruption of the CCP. I also talked about the persecution of Falun Gong, natural disasters and quitting the CCP to ensure one's safety. I spoke eloquently.
The two peasant workers quit the Young Pioneers League. The tourists next to us were listening attentively and discussing as they listened to us. A 60-year-old woman asked me questions and gladly quit the CCP. After we got off the bus, a young lady helped me carry my suitcase and also quit the CCP. While on the bus home, I told the bus driver about quitting the CCP to ensure his safety. He agreed to quit and thus was rescued.
While cooperating to do things and rescue sentient beings, I realized that we must seize every moment and be mindful of Master’s teachings, and not to slack off in order to offer more sentient beings salvation.
3. Cultivating Oneself Well While Working Together
Master said,
“…because your improvement comes first. Without your improvement, nothing can be achieved, and that includes saving sentient beings.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2008 New York Conference”)
Through studying the Fa, I understand that “suffering is repaying a karmic debt”. (Zhuan Falun). No matter if I went to the villages at night, or riding a motorcycle in the mountains or in the mud, or carrying truth-clarifying materials in the hot summer, I never found it difficult to do.
This summer, coordinator “B” and I visited a practitioner who went astray and turned against Dafa. During the conversation she talked about a lot of wicked viewpoints. I became concerned and could not help but argue with her. She still persisted and said, “Then I do not want to talk to you about this any more.” Due to my irritable mood at the time, I did not do well and felt guilty afterwards. Compared to coordinator “B”, who did not have any such complaints, I felt ashamed.
One summer day I was crossing the street on my motorcycle, when three policemen suddenly appeared behind me. One grabbed my hand, another pulled out the motorcycle key, and another looked at me from the side. When they asked my age, I said that I was over 70 years old, and they let me go. I felt that my thought of “not cooperating with them” was very strong. Master said,
“What could human beings possibly do to gods? If there were no outside factors, would humans dare to do anything to gods?” (“In Fa-Rectification Your Thoughts Have to be Righteous, Not Human”)
The more time that passes in this Fa-rectification, the higher Master's requirements are. Seizing every moment and offering sentient beings salvation is every practitioner's historic mission.
My level is limited; please point out anything inappropriate.