(Clearwisdom.net) At this point in time, all sentient beings are living during the most critical moment of Fa-rectification of the cosmos, which will soon end. The old cosmos that has disintegrated during Fa-rectification will be renewed to become a magnificent, new, and unparalleled cosmos. All sentient beings, including Dafa disciples, belong to the old cosmos, and we were not to enter the new cosmos, in which we do not belong. However, Master has changed this and granted an opportunity for all beings in this cosmos to enter the new one. This unprecedented act of mercy, made possible by what Master has given to us and suffered for us, is beyond the imagination of any being, and it is, moreover, impossible for sentient beings to repay him.

While Master is benevolent, Dafa has its standards, and it is not easy to enter the future. Whether or not one can enter, or what his position will be in the new cosmos depends on the true xinxing (heart or mind nature, moral character) of the being, his attitude towards Fa-rectification, and what role he plays during Fa-rectification. No beings from the old cosmos can see the truth of the Fa-rectification of the cosmos, and the process by which Master rectifies the human world is difficult for sentient beings to comprehend. In addition, all sentient beings have deviated from the Fa, so if they cannot understand and treat Fa-rectification properly, they will face dangers such as falling in level, being eliminated, or becoming diminished. Yet it is all our own choice. Fa-rectification, to all sentient beings, is the best opportunity, as well as the biggest tribulation and calamity, and no one can escape it. We must walk our own paths. Sentient beings during the Fa-rectification either assimilate with the Fa, or with the benevolent resolution, elevate or fall in their levels. Master has already bestowed upon all sentient beings the greatest benevolence, the best circumstance and the most wonderful opportunity. Even those worst beings who attempt to damage the Fa are receiving these opportunities time and time again, so when faced with the ultimate outcome, we as sentient beings ought not to complain.

Dafa practitioners are also beings of the old cosmos, so they likewise are faced with the same issue. But compared with other beings, Dafa practitioners are clearly the most fortunate, for as Dafa practitioners during the Fa-rectification, they are able to assist Teacher and walk the best path. What they will receive in return is unprecedented glory and the mightiest virtue, and this was all their choice and wish when they came to this world. But there are higher requirements and standards during Fa-Rectification that Dafa practitioners must meet. It is not merely personal cultivation. They must also validate the Fa, stop the persecution, clarify the truth, and save the sentient beings by completing the three things (1) Master Li requires of practitioners, and none of these can be neglected. Yet Fa-rectification has simultaneously offered new opportunities to Dafa practitioners. These are opportunities unavailable to other sentient beings, thus making it the greatest test for Dafa practitioners. If practitioners do not do well, refuse to step forward to validate the Fa, or neglect to fulfill the obligations and missions dictated by Fa-rectification, they are faced with not only the inability to consummate, but terrible outcomes.

Master told us:

"With human beings... when a being can obtain the Fa today in history, it's no ordinary thing--he's so fortunate! But as soon as he loses the Fa, do you know what he faces? It's really horrific, because when he fails to fulfill the major responsibilities and the huge missions that were bestowed upon him, then, accordingly, that's like the inverse of a being's Consummation, and he will truly have to enter the gate of no-life." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2004 Chicago Conference")

Some who have obtained the Fa try to avoid the matter, using the excuse of studying the Fa at home to avoid stepping forward and even fantasizing that once the tribulations are over, they can consummate. How can this be possible?

"Who could be outside this calamity?

Looking with a smile, at the Gods being foolish." ("Rectifying the Colossal Firmament" from Essentials for Further Advancement II).

During Fa rectification, personal cultivation is no longer the sole objective. Dafa practitioners must also validate the Fa. Only then can students be considered true Dafa disciples. Master said,

"So what kind of being deserves to be a Disciple of Dafa? Would you say those people who hide in their homes and 'study the Fa' do? Or those who only want to gain from Dafa but don't want to give for Dafa? Furthermore, what about those who, while Dafa disciples are being persecuted, don't want to speak up for Dafa and yet still 'read the book' at home and try to get things from Dafa--what kind of people are they? You be the judge." ("My Version of a 'Stick Wake-up'")

Master asked us to be the judges, so let us judge for ourselves. Are all of today's practitioners fit to be Dafa disciples? Are they true cultivators? Some cannot even attain an ordinary cultivator's ideals. Are they good people? Do they meet the requirements of human beings in the new cosmos? Can they remain to become human beings of the future? What, then, is waiting for them? Master said,

"Some of the people who have obtained the Fa and, at this human surface, come to know the meaning of the Fa, have had their lives extended through the Fa; some of them have received all kinds of benefits, such as good health, harmony in the family, indirect benefits to their relatives and friends, a reduction of their karma, and even Master's bearing things for them. In other dimensions, their physical bodies are being transformed into God-bodies. Despite this, when Dafa is about to consummate you, you are unable to step forward from humanness, and when the evil persecutes Dafa you are unable to stand up to validate Dafa. These people who only want to take from Dafa and not give for Dafa are, in the eyes of Gods, the worst beings. Moreover, this Fa is what's fundamental in the cosmos, so those people who are still unable to step forward today will be weeded out after this tribulation is over. Many of them are people who have strong predestined relationships. This is why Master has waited and waited." ("A Suggestion" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

Those who hide at home to "study the Fa" and fail to step forward to validate the Fa should likewise judge for themselves. Who are you? To what position will you be placed in the new cosmos? Whether using the standards for Dafa disciples or employing the standards of ordinary people, these individuals ought to seriously consider how, had it not been for other practitioners' efforts to stop the persecution, we could have procured a relatively improved environment and situation? Judging from the viciousness of the evildoers and the means by which they punished people historically, do you really think that they would have let you study the Fa in the comfort of your home? Would they let you go just like that? Even though you only want to hide at home and be a good person, could it have been allowed? Did the evil not wish to "tarnish our reputation and eliminate us physically?" When the persecution was at its peak, did they not search for our books to burn publicly, and did they not have people condemn Falun Gong in public as well? As beings who have obtained Dafa, is it that hard to step forward to validate the Fa? Is it that hard to speak up for Falun Dafa?

Dafa practitioners may face danger when they step forward to validate the Fa, but that would only be at the surface level. If we can conduct ourselves with righteous thoughts and righteous actions, then no danger will materialize. Those really in danger are the practitioners who dare not step forward. At this point, the evil has already diminished to a great extent, and it has become fairly easy to clarify the truth. I suggest that those who have not yet stepped forward start by sharing a few copies of truth clarifying materials with friends and relatives, where there is as absolutely no danger. Master has given us a stick wake-up, so there is not much time left. If we do not wake up and step forward to validate Dafa, the outcome will be disastrous. Master said,

"Those who haven't done well should think carefully about these things, and be sure not to take Master's mercy lightly. You don't have to believe me; you can go about things your own way. But I have repeatedly said that the fact that such a major thing has come about in human society, that such a massive number of people have done all that they have in society, and the fact that the Fa that I, Li Hongzhi, have taught is something that people throughout the ages always wanted to know about and wanted to obtain but couldn't, (applause) none of these things are by chance. Think it over calmly. Those who haven't done well, make sure you don't destroy your eternal life because of your irrationality and human attachments." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2004 Chicago Conference")

Note:

(1) Study the Fa (Law and principles), send forth righteous thoughts, and clarify the truth to the world's people.

October 23, 2004