(Clearwisdom.net) I just read an article by a fellow practitioner entitled, “Examining Our Understanding of What It Means to Be Diligent,” which was published on the Mingui/Clearwisdom website [See: http://clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/6/3/125788.html]. It resonated with me a great deal and I realized many things from reading it. I now have a deeper understanding of what true diligence is. The article said, “...being diligent, a practitioner would examine if he has measured himself against the Fa's standard (instead of human standards), look within, and conduct himself following the requirements of the Fa in every conflict, hardship, xinxing test, statement and action.” The fellow practitioner gave some specific examples of this. I came to realize that the term “diligent” is an encouragement to us by Teacher and fellow practitioners. All of us should search within so as to be truly diligent in our cultivation.

As true Dafa practitioners who strive forward diligently in Dafa, we should always examine our shortcomings. For example, how much Fa we can take into our hearts during Fa study; how well can we do with truth-clarification and saving sentient beings; what's the quality of our work on Dafa projects; how much we improve our understanding and improve our xinxing level; etc. In fact, I feel our diligence cannot be fully exhibited through our behavior on the surface. Teacher said,

“There is sacrifice in forbearance. Being able to make sacrifices is the result of improving in one’s cultivation. The Fa has different levels. A cultivator’s understanding of the Fa is his understanding of the Fa at his cultivation level. Different cultivators understand the Fa differently because they are at different levels. ” (“Non-Omission” from Essentials for Further Advancement)

So whether we are diligent or not is reflected more in our hearts. When we obtained the Fa, during continuous Fa study, understanding the Fa, and strengthening our belief in Teacher and the Fa, we'd become diligent in our cultivation, passing tests and tribulations, clarifying the truth and saving sentient beings, and getting rid of our attachments to improve xinxing. As we know, the current environment in China is still very brutal for Dafa practitioners. The evil forces are still trying to escalate the persecution. Some fellow practitioners were interfered with in the form of experiencing illness karma. It's like “...abundant troubles rain down together...” (“Tempering the Will” from Hong Yin) However, such a situation gives us an opportunity to demonstrate how we'd perform and how diligent we can be in our true and solid cultivation. Teacher has repeatedly told us that whatever we do, we do it for ourselves. Whether it's sending forth righteous thoughts, clarifying the truth, rescuing fellow practitioners, or participating in various kinds of Dafa projects, it is related to our cultivation. We'd be striving forward very diligently if we can melt into the Fa and put our whole heart into cultivation.

But why did some fellow practitioners encounter issues when they appeared to be very diligent in their cultivation? That's why I don't think we can tell if a practitioner is diligent or not simply based on their behavior on the surface. For example, some of us came to realize during cultivation that it's an extremely rare opportunity to get to learn Dafa. They were very excited and determined they'd practice Dafa and work on more Dafa projects to clarify the truth and save more people in order to establish more mighty virtue and reach consummation. Actually, there is an omission in this thought already since deep inside there was a pursuit and a selfish attachment.

There will always be conflicts in our practice. Making mistakes at times is unavoidable. Even for very diligent Dafa practitioners, they may make a mistake or have conflicts with other people. However, it is critical for us to be able to see things based on the Fa so we can treat ourselves as practitioners and search within.

Teacher doesn't want to leave any disciple behind. Our compassionate Teacher gave us many chances for us to correct our mistakes. Therefore for those of us who are faced with issues and problems, we need to examine ourselves based on the Fa since we all have some omissions in some respect. We will be safe from interference when we are in the Fa. Nothing can or dare to interfere with a Dafa disciple who has assimilated to the Fa. We should not acknowledge the old forces' arrangements or recognize the evil persecution. Like Teacher told us, “...forced persecution that's not acknowledged is a crime, and the cosmos's old laws don't allow it either...” (“Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference”) We are bound to have difficulties and tests along our cultivation path. When we are determined to firmly believe in Teacher and the Fa and get rid of our selfish attachments when we are faced with tribulations or physical “issues,” we are striving forward diligently.