PureInsight | June 2, 2008
[PureInsight.org] The path of
cultivation, in my understanding, is the road of returning to one's
True Self. It is filled with various temptations and hardships.
Hardships are relatively easy to identify, but the temptations of fame,
gain, and sentimentality are hard to distinguish. Falun Dafa is the
only way to guide us away from the temptations and is a beacon of
returning to one's True Self.
Ordinary people's principles are the opposite of the principles for
cultivators. Things ordinary people consider good, cultivators consider
very bad. Although one may understand this rationally, it is hard to
avoid being tempted. To thoroughly lay down one's attachments, one will
need to go through the pain of cultivation. There are various
attractive sights in this human world. They may look fabulous, but how
does one to see the true nature behind the facade? The true nature of
the extravagant is really hollow. Without Dafa to break the illusion,
it is very hard to see the essence of things. When one smells the
fragrance of the secular world beyond all doubt, how can one recognize
the fragrance as being just a temptation? One's mind may even be
poisoned by it. It is very hard. The only way to be able to be detached
is to seriously and solidly cultivate oneself.
We temper ourselves amid various tribulations and use these
tribulations as the elements and sustenance of our improvement.
Gradually we will understand that the pursuit of fame, gain, and
sentimentality are nothing but vulgar desires. By laying down these
attachments, benevolence will fill our mind. Benevolence transcends the
entire world. It is a high-energy substance. Dafa endows us with
benevolence. If an ordinary person can clearly recognize the greatness
of benevolence, he will surely abandon these attachments and choose
benevolence.
Today, I studied the Fa (Law and Principles) and shared experiences
with a fellow practitioner who was trying to shake off various
interferences of pursuing fame, gain and affection. I hope she can
catch up with the Fa-rectification process. While I was searching
within for the attachments that I have yet to get rid of, Master's
scripture, "Cultivators' Avoidances," appeared in my mind:
reputations practice an evil way, full of intention. Once they gain
renown in this world, they are bound to say good but mean evil, thereby
misleading the public and undermining the Fa. Those who are attached to
money seek wealth and feign their cultivation. Undermining the practice
and the Fa, they waste their lifetimes instead of cultivating
Buddhahood. Those who are attached to lust are no different from wicked
people. While reciting the scriptures, they even cast furtive glances;
they are far from the Dao and are wicked, everyday people. Those who
are attached to affection for family will definitely be burned,
entangled, and tormented by it. Pulled by the threads of affection and
plagued by them throughout their lives, they will find it too late to
regret at the end of their lives."
Translated from:
http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2008/5/22/52974.html
