(Minghui.org) After reading the Minghui Editorial “Attention Practitioners Who Have Moved Out of China in Recent Years,” I had some sharing and exchange of thoughts with practitioners around me. Quite a few of them said they had never passed messages or hearsay to practitioners in China, but there are also practitioners who honestly admitted that due to the attachment of showing-off, they told others what kind of food that is avoided in the Mountain and what one should eat more, how much longer the Fa-rectification would last, and things about the Gan Jing World website, etc. 

There is a proverb from ancient China – “San jian qi kou,” meaning to keep silent or speak with great prudence. It was said that when Confucius visited the Ancestral Shrine of the Zhou Dynasty, he saw a golden statue, whose mouth was sealed three times, and there was an inscription on the back of the statue: “Ancient man who spoke with great caution.” Ancient Chinese understood that disasters often resulted from having a big mouth, so they were very cautious in what they said or did.

Some practitioners might think that the editorial doesn’t refer to them since it didn’t directly mention their names. However, words once spoken cannot be retrieved, and in time, they become hearsay that is passed around. 

There is another ancient story, in which is said that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang once asked Taoist Ye Fashan about the origin of Zhang Guolao (a Chinese mythological figure and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon). Even though Ye knew that he would suffer retribution should he reveal heavenly secrets, still he failed in cultivating his speech and told the emperor about Zhang’s origin. Sure enough, Ye died as soon as he finished talking.

I was shocked by what happened to Ye, thinking that even in such a practice, revealing heavenly secrets resulted in such serious consequences, let alone in Dafa cultivation, especially during the Fa-rectification period. Under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party culture, and driven by all kinds of human attachments, “the moment you utter it you will have produced sinful karma.” (“Definitive Conclusion,” Essentials for Further Advancement).

I used to contact my family and friends in China during festivals, and they always asked me when I could go back. What they meant to ask was when the persecution would end. I always said, “Soon.” Later, I realized that my answer wasn’t appropriate, so I tried to avoid answering such questions. 

Dafa cultivation is the most serious thing in this world. Why is it that I still can’t do well in cultivation of speech?

I think the reason is that my background lacks traditional culture, and there is also the hidden influence of atheism. 

Master told us, 

“...Returning to tradition puts you on the path to Heaven…”(“Creating Anew,” Hong Yin V )

Only be returning to tradition can we revive our reverence for life and the Divine, and fulfill our vows to assist Master in Fa-rectification!

The above is only my personal understanding. Please kindly point out anything improper. 

Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)