Big Things and Small Things

By a Dafa practitioner from Canada

(Clearwisdom.net) At present, many practitioners artificially divide things they do in Fa-rectification cultivation and the problems they come across into big things and small things, and believe that big things are more important whereas small things can be ignored. This tendency demonstrates that some practitioners cannot properly balance and deal with the relationship between individual cultivation and work in Fa-rectification.

In fact, such division between big and small is based on human notions. Nothing we come across in the course of cultivation is accidental, and we cannot use human standards to judge what is more important from what is not. It is not wrong for practitioners to have high aspirations. However, Master has always exhorted us to "cultivate yourself solidly." ("Towards Consummation") He further reminds us when encountering conflicts in everyday trivialities, even in dealing with family members or fellow practitioners, if we cannot look within ourselves and do not treat ourselves as cultivators, what else can be a more important issue than this? When one lets his/her attachments and demonic nature go unchecked, then perhaps his/her beautiful world that is about to consummate is hanging on the edge of collapse. What can be a bigger issue than this? Influenced by these attachments and notions, one misses the opportunities to clarify the truth and to offer salvation to people, allowing the evil to exploit the loopholes. Then, a precious life and the sentient beings he/she represents will lose the opportunity of being saved. What can be a bigger issue than this?

Some practitioners hold the view that only by doing more "big" things can one be counted as participating in Fa-rectification cultivation, and an individual's cultivation, Fa-study and improvement are secondary. In fact, Master has told us clearly for a long time, regarding how to balance the relationship between individual cultivation and Fa-rectification cultivation,

"Do you realize that as long as you're a cultivator, in any environment or under any circumstances, I will use any troubles or unpleasant things you come across - even if they involve work for Dafa, or no matter how good or sacred you think they are - to eliminate your attachments and expose your demon-nature so that it can be eliminated, for your improvement is what's most important." ("Further Understanding" Essentials for Further Advances)

"You can't do Dafa work without studying the Fa, or it would be an everyday person doing Dafa work. It has to be Dafa disciples who do Dafa work - this is something required of all of you. If everyday people help with Dafa work, of course it's a good thing, but what I'm talking about is Dafa disciples. You must be a Dafa disciple doing Dafa work, because your Consummation is of primary importance. Right now, your Consummation is first and foremost." (Lecture on the Fa at Washington, D.C. International Conference)

Individual cultivation and cultivation for Fa-rectification are like two legs of a giant, and if either of them is compromised, it will bring obstruction to one's cultivation and loss to the Fa. "He is full of great aspirations while minding minor details." ("Sage" Essentials for Further Advances) When broadening our vision to an even wider scope, we must measure everything we come across, even a flash of thought, against the yardstick of the Fa and truly improve ourselves. Only then can the giant truly walk toward consummation.

The above is my personal understanding. Please kindly point out anything improper.
Chinese version available at http://minghui.cc/mh/articles/2002/3/3/25918.html

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