(Minghui.org) During a recent discussion regarding altruism and selfishness, I realized how important this topic is for Falun Dafa practitioners.
One practitioner shared that altruism means living for others and being less selfish. One’s mind is completely occupied by the thought of others with no room to think of oneself.
My cultivation experience is a good example. When I was entangled by family affairs, my mind was occupied with household chores and worry for my children and grandchildren. This left little room for Dafa and for saving sentient beings. I was focused on personal issues and being selfish rather than thinking of humankind. The purpose of my life was limited to a small space.
As selfishness is a characteristic of the old cosmos and practitioners are created along with it, we may also behave selfishly. But, in cultivation, we should gradually suppress selfishness while achieving what Master requires of practitioners.
“From now on, whatever you do, you should consider others first, so as to attain the righteous Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism. So from now on, whatever you do or whatever you say, you must consider others—or even future generations—along with Dafa’s eternal stability.” (“Non-Omission in Buddha Nature,” Essentials for Further Advancement)
Practitioners who bear in mind the universe and sentient beings will have the aspiration and purpose to save sentient beings. A selfish person will only focus on their own family and be narrow-minded.
Selfishness can be expressed as being self-centered. To become a practitioner who lives for others, we must first jump out of being self-centered, get rid of self, and then achieve altruism. It seems easy to say but hard to do.
Master said:
“Genuinely cultivate Dafa,Only this is great.Assimilate to Dafa,Some year, definitely succeed.” (“Obtaining Fa,” Hong Yin)
Our lives come from Dafa. Without it we would not have the honorable title of “Fa-rectification Dafa Disciples” and all would be lost. As true practitioners, we should put Dafa first.