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Remembering Cultivation Fundamentals During the Fa-Rectification Period
By a Falun Dafa practitioner in China
(Clearwisdom.net) Since reading Master's most recent article, "In Fa-Rectification
Your Thoughts Have to be Righteous, Not Human," I believe we must have a
clear and rational understanding of some fundamental issues in our cultivation.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be like sailing a boat without a rudder? "With
Teacher guiding the voyage, the Fa saves all beings." ("The Knowing
Heart" from Essentials for Further Advancement II). Master tells us
that we will gain a clear and rational understanding of many questions if we
study the Fa (1) more and study diligently. "One should return to one's original, true self; this is the real
purpose of being human" (Zhuan Falun). To an everyday person who
does not have this understanding, it means that his or her original memory has
been sealed for too long, and the person has forgotten his or her origin. When a
practitioner fails to remember this, or does not fully understand it, it could
be that he or she may have taken up cultivation out of some other interest. It
is possible that the person won't stay diligent, and may even encounter serious
interference in their cultivation. So what is the purpose of life for a Fa-rectification period Falun Dafa
disciple? Teacher has said there are three types of practitioners today. My
understanding is that the first two kinds have come to this place so that they
can directly save all sentient beings today; they have come to fulfill their
vows and aspirations. The third type of practitioners has also developed
righteous thoughts through their cultivation. Master treats them as disciples
just the same. They too have the same responsibility as other disciples, and
they too will have the same mighty virtue if they do well. Thus, all disciples
are here to save sentient beings and to validate the Fa. That is the purpose of
our lives. If we do not realize this, then we are forgetting our true selves. We will be
lost among everyday people and become encumbered by everyday issues. We may even
greatly enjoy being everyday people. We will develop the attachment to comfort,
and the consequence will then be terrible. Master taught us, "To tell you the truth, the entire cultivation process
for a practitioner is one of constantly giving up human attachments." (Zhuan
Falun). In the article "What is Cultivation Practice?" Master
again said, "Only when you are studying the Fa and cultivating your heart
and mind in addition to the means of reaching Consummation -- the exercises,
and truly changing yourself fundamentally while improving your xinxing
(2) and elevating your level -- can it be called true cultivation
practice." ("What is Cultivation Practice" from Essentials for
Further Advancement). Regarding the purpose of cultivation, Master said, "The ultimate goal of
cultivation practice is to attain the Tao and complete cultivation." (Zhuan
Falun). Master also taught us, "I also want to tell you that your
nature in the past was actually based on egotism and selfishness. From now on,
whatever you do, you should consider others first, so as to attain the righteous
Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism." ("Non-Omission in
Buddha-Nature" from Essentials for Further Advancement). Since July 20, 1999, when the persecution began, Master has addressed the
meanings and requirements of cultivation during the Fa-rectification period on
many occasions when teaching the Fa. In the article "Let Go of Human
Attachments and Save the World's People" published on September 1 of this
year, Master again emphasized, "For a Fa-rectification period Dafa
disciple, personal liberation is not the goal of cultivation: when you came,
saving sentient beings was your great aspiration, and that is the responsibility
and mission history has bestowed upon you in Fa-rectification." Master taught us what cultivation is and the purpose of our cultivation on
many occasions while teaching the Fa. I think every Falun Dafa disciple should
keep that firmly in mind. My understanding is that Master has arranged for the following: When Falun Dafa disciples complete their historic missions, and all the
beings that can be saved are saved, then the dregs of humanity and the
degenerate world that is left behind will be weeded out. In "Fa-Rectification
Period Dafa Disciples," (Essentials for Further Advancement II)
Master said, "...during the Fa-rectification period, disciples must not
depart until the Fa-rectification is over." In Master's arrangement, validating the Fa and saving all sentient beings are
tasks to be completed by the Fa-rectification period Dafa disciples. Master has
never mentioned what ordinary people can do for the Fa-rectification. On the
contrary, it is we who save ordinary people. We are the hope of all beings. As Fa-rectification period Falun Dafa disciples, we must take on the
responsibilities Master has given to us, and we must do well with the three
things Master has instructed us to do. These are to study the Fa, to send forth
righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil, and to clarify the truth of Falun Dafa
and the persecution. Furthermore, we must do them in a manner that is
responsible to the Fa, to all sentient beings, and to ourselves. Master has said
repeatedly that he has given us the opportunities to save sentient beings and to
establish might virtue. Therefore, every Falun Dafa disciple should ask himself
or herself, deep down in their heart, where did we position ourselves? I hope we will continue to do well with our righteous thoughts and actions. I
hope we will not disappoint all those sentient beings who have put all their
hopes in us. We must not disappoint Master who has tirelessly taught us and has
great expectations of us. We must fulfill our vows. The above are my personal understandings. Please, kindly point out anything
that is incorrect. Notes (1) Fa: Law and principle; the teachings of Falun Dafa. (2) Xinxing: mind-hear nature; moral character.
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