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Maintain a Humble and Objective Mindset When Considering Others' Opinions By A Dafa Practitioner
(Clearwisdom.Net) Through interactions with other practitioners, I
find there is a general notion of being opinionated (i.e., considering oneself
always on the right side or considering oneself as infallible) among many
practitioners. The forms of manifestation are diverse. Some always love to
flaunt their past brilliant achievements. Others profess to be above worldly
considerations, are arrogant and do not listen to different opinions. Some
justify their attachments with human logic. I personally think such notions have
already hindered their improvement. The old forces will most likely take
advantage of this. According to what I have observed, those who have the heavy attachment of
showing off are persecuted more. Those who have high opinions of themselves make
mistakes more easily. Among these are many practitioners that have good inborn
quality and enlightenment quality. They cultivate very hard and also work hard,
but just because one thought is not righteous, they have become complacent. I
feel very sorry for them. I thought this over for a long time. Finally, I
decided to talk about my understanding. I hope practitioners who have
shortcomings in this area will pay attention. We can improve as a whole. The root of arrogance is the restraint by the old cosmos' principles based on
selfishness and ordinary people's attachment to self. It runs counter to
cultivation and Fa-rectification. Those who are arrogant often have high
opinions of themselves. They regard themselves as the center and this
strengthens their personal desires. As a result of such attachments growing
stronger over time, they are intoxicated by self-interests easily, and cannot
see the immensity of the cosmos, the stateliness of the Buddha Fa and the
suffering of all lives in the three realms. They cannot see their own
shortcomings and other people's merits. They also cannot experience the goodness
of humility and the grandeur of tolerance. There is a saying in Chinese that, "the modest receive benefit, while
the conceited reap failure". Practitioners wish to be in a realm higher
than that. We should do better. The Buddha Fa is broad, immense and profound. It
is Master's Fa that gives us new lives. We are practitioners. No matter how high
we can enlighten and how well we do, what we have is just a bit of understanding
at one level. What excuses can we have to be arrogant and conceited in front of
our merciful Master and all the suffering lives? Fellow practitioners who have
such attachments should determine to strive forward. If we cling to our personal
attachments and bad notions, we will drive ourselves further away from the Fa.
Only when we put down self, take the Fa as teacher, strictly make demands on
ourselves and remember the suffering of all lives in our hearts and always
consider others first, can we gradually let go of these notions based on egotism
and selfishness. Only then can we walk the road of selflessness and altruism
openly. Posting date: 6/25/2004 |