Some Thoughts Evoked by A Stranger's Helpful Advice

By a practitioner in Germany

(Clearwisdom.net) This morning while I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green at an intersection, I suddenly noticed an elderly gentleman standing next to my car. When I rolled down the car window, he told me, "The right-side brake light on your car is not working." I thanked him for alerting me to this problem and wished him good day. He slowly walked back to his car. When the light turned green, we both proceeded.

This one-minute encounter evoked many thoughts in my mind. Germans are always very eager to help others, and they are very serious about everything they do. I am very moved by these qualities. I suddenly realized that, while I was very happy to accept that elderly gentleman's words when he pointed out there was something wrong with my car, I haven't been so happy whenever my fellow practitioners have pointed out my shortcomings. Why do I react differently? I suppose it's because I don't know the elderly gentleman, and I want to give strangers a good impression of me. When my fellow practitioners have pointed out my shortcoming, however, I thought they were doing so just to pick on me, so I would always try to find excuses for myself.

Now I realize that what my fellow practitioners have pointed out are my deeply hidden attachments. Since I am hesitant to let them go, I don't want to accept their criticism.

Next time someone points out my mistake, I will thank him or her just as I thanked the elderly gentleman. Even if I can't accept that person's words right away, I will still try to understand it from the Fa. They're doing this for my own good, and I can't use other people's attitudes towards me as an excuse and miss the opportunity to improve myself.
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2004/12/4/90677.html

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