(Minghui.org) My mother-in-law was extremely domineering and called the shots in every family matter. She gave me plenty of opportunities on my cultivation path to help me improve my xinxing. Because I practiced Falun Dafa I learned to be tolerant and have compassion.
There were seven of us in my family of three generations: my grandfather, parents-in-law, two children, my husband, and me. Before I began practicing Falun Dafa, we lived in an old house and everyone agreed it was time to buy a new one. But my mother-in-law, who was in charge of everything, dismissed the idea saying we didn’t have enough money. I earned 500 yuan a year as a village accountant. I borrowed 20,000 yuan from my older sister, and finally got her to agree that we should move. We moved in 1992 but my mother-in-law was still in charge.
In March 1997, encouraged by my older sister, I read Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa’s main book, but I did not start practicing the discipline. A teacher in the school I worked at later told me Dafa could resolve diseases and help you keep fit, and would be good for rural people to keep them healthy because they worked hard in the fields. I decided to give it a try and asked her to buy me a copy of Zhuan Falun. When I got home, my sister told me that my two brothers and their wives also practiced. So we all studied the Fa and practiced the exercises together at my brother’s house.
Through Fa study, I gradually understood that disease comes from karma accumulated in previous lifetimes. I also understood that, to remain healthy, one must meet the requirements of Dafa and be kind and considerate.
My family farmed 50 acres of land, and we owned a tractor, corn thresher, and rice harvester. We made a lot of money from selling crops every year. My mother-in-law kept every penny, yet always complained that she was destitute. I was so tired of her complaints that I mustered up the courage to ask her to let us live our own life.
She said, “We must live together, unless you move out of the house. Starting next year, you can keep the income from farming, but you have to pay the family’s living expenses, in addition to 3,000 yuan annually. Also, you need to repay 4,000 yuan that your daughter borrowed from me. You will also be responsible for the funeral costs when your grandpa dies.”
The first year, we gave my parents-in-law 7,000 yuan. With the remaining money we made, we were able to buy an SUV and lease 50 acres of land for farming.
One night, I came home late and overheard my parents-in-law criticizing me while they watched TV. I wasn’t moved because I’d learned to be kind and tolerant from the Fa. I quietly took some food and ate in my room. As soon as my mother-in-law realized that I was home, she asked me why I didn’t make any noise when I came in and whether I heard her badmouthing me. I smiled and calmly said, “Yes, mom. We are all one family, but it’s not good to curse.”
My mother-in-law was sick one day. My husband and I took her to the Fourth Hospital and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The same result was confirmed by a cancer hospital. She was then hospitalized in this cancer hospital and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. In the end, the doctor discharged her from hospital and told us she could eat whatever she wanted.
My mother-in-law was seriously ill. I took good care of her and often bought her delicious food, but she wasn’t grateful and even said harsh words to me. Sometimes, my sister-in-law and I both bought her the same kind of roast chicken, but she praised her daughter in front of me for getting her a better chicken. I took all this lightly—I smiled and said nothing.
When my mother-in-law passed away, my father-in-law was suffering from a brain condition called cerebellar atrophy. He behaved like a child and often forgot things. He caused trouble if things didn’t go his way. I took good care of him patiently, but he often complained to his daughter about me. When he wasn’t happy, I looked inward for whatever I might have done that wasn't in accordance with the Fa.
Over my years of cultivation, Dafa has deeply rooted in my heart. It guided me to cultivate well to return to my true self. When my mother-in-law treated me badly, I was able to tolerate it and stay calm. When my father-in-law made trouble for me, I looked inward for my shortcomings that might anger him. All these conflicts were resolved because Dafa taught me to be kind and tolerant.
Thank you, Master, for your compassion!
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