(Clearwisdom.net) In April 1997, two books were laid right in front of me by accident. One of them was titled Book of Changes, the other one was Zhuan Falun. Between the two, I chose Zhuan Falun. The choice seemed accidental. In retrospect, however, I now understand that I had waited for several lifetimes for that very moment, for the predestined opportunity that would only come once in thousands of years. It was Master who chose me. Everything was arranged by Master. Master is teaching Dafa now, and I am very fortunate to have a human body in this lifetime. Furthermore, I have heard the Buddha Law. Thank you, Master!
At that time, I selected the chapters that I liked to read. (One should read Dafa books straight through from cover to cover and not select which chapters to read or omit.) My mind, however, was still purified. I was willing to discipline myself according to Dafa, and I wanted to be a good person. After reading the first section in Lecture One ("Genuinely Guiding People Toward High Levels"), I understood that Falun Dafa was cultivation practice. Hence, I felt a mental and physical lightness that I had never experienced before. From then on, regardless of what I was doing or thinking, there was always Dafa as the standard to measure everything. Thus, I knew exactly what I should and should not do, and I learned to search inside myself. I often told myself and Master, "I was wrong, but I can improve."
During the next few years, mental tests would suddenly crop up. One test after another, I was cleansed in the cultivation of Dafa. Whenever tests came, it felt as if a knife was cutting through my heart. Although I knew I had something that was not conforming to the principles of Dafa, I was still unable to pass the tests smoothly. Tears would fall, and Master's Fa would appear in my mind:
"My truly cultivating disciples, what I have taught you is the Fa for cultivation of Buddha and Dao. Nonetheless, you pour out your grievances to me over the loss of your worldly interests, rather than feeling upset for being unable to let go of ordinary human attachments. Is this cultivation? Whether you can let go of ordinary human attachments is a fatal test on your way to becoming a truly extraordinary being. Every disciple who truly cultivates must pass it, for it is the dividing line between a cultivator and an everyday person." ("True Cultivation" in Essentials for Further Advancement)
Master's Fa helped rectify every single thought and piece of my mind in a timely manner. Whenever I slacked off a little bit, Master would give some me hints. Whenever I did not know how to handle something, Master's Fa would appear in front of my eyes. I went through changes every day. I was happy that I was being showered with Master's mighty mercy.
On July 20, 1999, the evil forces slandered Dafa and Dafa practitioners everywhere. At that time, I felt very depressed and gloomy. I argued with people, but back then I was powerless. I could bear all kinds of personal ridicule, but I could not allow anybody to say anything against Master or Dafa. I did not have any tears; neither did I have any fear. I only wanted to tell people around me that it was not like what the government said. I had an ordinary human mentality and felt impatient. Arguing with people made it even harder for them to understand Dafa. After a while, I became calmer. Irritation would not help solve the problem.
I later understood that I was a Fa-rectification Dafa disciple and why I had come to the Three Realms. By studying the Fa, I learned that I needed to use my "wisdom, rationality and mercy" to tell people the truth about Dafa. Hence, I distributed Dafa materials from house to house, day and night, rain or shine. These materials told people what Dafa really is. Later I learned that Dafa practitioners everywhere in the world had stepped forward to tell people the truth about Dafa to offer salvation to sentient beings. In going to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, some practitioners were sentenced to jail terms, forced labor, or were even tortured to death. I cried, and not only once. I started to understand the difficulty that Master faced in Fa-rectification. "Focusing on studying the Fa and following Master closely," Dafa practitioners did not walk away.
Assisting Master in Fa-rectification is our responsibility. While offering salvation to sentient beings, we need to cultivate ourselves well. Master has told us time and again that we must study the Fa well and more often. At one time, I was not very firm and did not study the Fa well. Once in a test of emotion, I failed the test and let the evil forces find some gaps in my cultivation. Another time, I failed to maintain a clear mind, and my emotions were controlled by the evil. At that time, Master wrote new articles and I read them. On many occasions, Master appeared in my dreams or gave me hints in my daily life. I said more than one time to Master and myself, "I was wrong." Yet, Master did not give up on me. He gave me more chances. Thank you, Master!
Master's arrangements have always seemed accidental to me, and yet they seem to be helping me to mature. In October 2004, I set up a materials distribution center. There wasn't much planning or thought put into it, but the following words have always echoed in my ears: "Must walk on the right path. Must walk on the right path." My body felt different than before. I have constantly used the Fa to measure my thoughts. "I should not slack off; neither should I go astray," I thought. I learned that this kind of opportunity was not going to be around forever. Things that made my emotions go up and down only the day before now melted completely in front of Master and Dafa. I found my true self again. I learned how to operate a computer, bought the necessary materials, and learned how to fix the equipment when it broke down. In a few days everything was ready to go. I could do things well when I knew how to do them. Master arranged for someone to help me do things that I did not know how to do. I used Dafa to measure all my thoughts, and I walked on the path arranged by Master. Everything was done by Master; I only needed to have the will.
During the past two years, under the merciful protection of Master, I have been smoothly walking on the path to save sentient beings. I have a job, children, and other family members to take care of. I have studied the Fa, practiced the exercises, and also made Dafa materials. (Making Dafa materials includes downloading materials from the Internet, helping people to withdraw from the CCP, writing articles, printing and copying materials, buying materials, fixing machines, etc.) Every day I sleep only a little. Sometimes I do not have time to sleep at all during the evening, but I still had to go to work the next day. Nevertheless, the day's work still has to be accomplished. I live in a small town. Few people in the nearby villages knew the truth of Dafa. Although I made Dafa materials every day, it was still not enough. Doing everything by myself did not seem to be sufficient, but I did not have time to study the Fa and practice the exercises. After discussing this with fellow practitioners, we set up more centers for Dafa materials, which helped a lot. I learned that we practitioners should make Dafa materials by ourselves. We should not rely on anyone. If there are technical difficulties, we should learn how to handle them immediately. We should constantly improve our xinxing, so Master will come help us.
Master has told us to study the Fa regardless of how busy we are . If we best use our time, we can find time. I wrote down Master's lectures in a small notebook by copying one paragraph per day. On my way to work, on the bus, or on business trips, I memorize Master's lectures. My brain is full of Fa that constantly appears in my head. Therefore, I am able to measure my thoughts with the Fa and melt into the Fa all times. Everything is arranged systematically. I follow Dafa all the time. Hence, I have made good achievements at work and have harmonious relations with family members and friends. I understand that Dafa practitioners are assisting Master in the Fa-rectification. When we can walk well on the path arranged by Master, we will get what we need. When I went out shopping for materials, I could always find convenient transportation. Sometimes I would come across some acquaintances to help me carry the materials when I bought a large quantity. I also understand that practitioners need to have righteous thoughts all the time.
I sometimes would doze off, and I did not even wake up at midnight to send forth righteous thoughts. I felt tired. Using Dafa as the standard, I knew that it was not right. However, that condition lasted for a long time. I needed very strong determination to overcome it. "When disciples have ample righteous thoughts Master has the power to turn back the tide." ("The Master-Disciple Bond" from Hong Yin II). Now, Master has helped me walk out of that condition.
Master has done for us countless things. We have no reason not to be diligent in our cultivation. There are still many areas in which I have not done well. When writing this, I had a strong righteous thought: "Master, help me to improve. I should always measure things with the Fa, and walk on the path arranged by Master." If I have said something incorrect, please point it out to me.
Written on May 19, 2007
