(Minghui.org) I often read reports on Minghui about some practitioners again being arrested or sentenced soon after being released from prison. Some were arrested after just months following their release. Although the reasons behind the persecution are complicated and everyone’s situation is different, from the perspective of the Fa-rectification period cultivation, we shouldn’t acknowledge the persecution forced upon us by the old forces. At the same time, it’s also imperative for us to look within and identify the loopholes that were taken advantage of.
Master taught us:
“Of course, we don’t acknowledge any of the things that the old forces arranged—I as your master don’t acknowledge them, and Dafa disciples of course don’t acknowledge them either. (Applause) But after all, they did do what they wanted to do, so there is all the more reason for Dafa disciples to do even better and cultivate themselves well in the course of saving all beings. When you encounter ordeals during your cultivation, you have got to cultivate yourself and look at yourself. That doesn’t mean you are acknowledging the ordeals arranged by the old forces and trying to do well amidst the ordeals they have arranged. That’s not the case.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2004 Chicago Fa Conference,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume IV)
I’d like to offer some of my understanding of the repeated persecution of the practitioners.
First of all, when a practitioner is released from prison, many local practitioners visit him or her and ask how they are doing. But many forget that after having served a prison term, what the practitioner needs the most is to catch up with their Fa study, doing the exercises and sending forth righteous thoughts. So I wouldn’t recommend practitioners who are just released to meet with many practitioners, but limit their interaction to just a few practitioners.
For practitioners who break through the persecution with strong righteous thoughts, other practitioners would like to hear their stories and experiences. But if they talk about it too much, it might cause them to develop the attachment of showing off or other human thoughts.
Those who break through the persecution should be respected. However we should encourage them to study the Fa more and look within so they can make further improvement. If circumstances allow it, we can kindly discuss with them why they were arrested or sentenced, and are there any lessons they learned in the process. These might be tough questions to ask. But I believe if we don’t mix in our own notions and ask the question for the benefit of the other practitioner, it wouldn’t arouse negative thoughts in them. If we can eliminate our attachments that caused the persecution, then the evil wouldn’t have the excuse to persecute us again.
Master also said,
“As the persecution has taken place, I’ve been watching closely. Some practitioners really don’t learn their lessons. Soon after the person is released from a labor camp, his attachment to showing off and his human thinking spring right back up. Even when an ordinary person goes through something he will draw a lesson from it, and give it some thought. So, all the more so should a cultivator try to figure out why the old forces exploited his gaps. You have got to figure out what your problem is. I won’t speak about these things further here at the Fa conference. The situation in China is complicated. There are all sorts of human mentalities and all sorts of conflicts, and they are changing in so many ways in that complicated setting. You really need to earnestly search within, and minimize the chances of the old forces taking advantage of your gaps.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2013 Greater New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XII)
Some persecuted practitioners were local coordinators, technical practitioners or well-known among practitioners. Others might tend to take them as “leaders” in cultivation and ask for their opinions when they encounter issues in their own cultivation. In some cases, the local practitioners couldn’t wait for the newly released practitioners to resume working on projects. The newly released practitioners might also feel that they need to catch up in doing things, so they do not focus on Fa study or looking within. This could cause them to be persecuted again. I hope they can stay grounded and spend more time studying the Fa. After they adjust their cultivation state, it might be much more efficient when they start to take on the truth-clarification projects again.
Above is some of my personal understanding. Please point out to me anything not in line with the Fa.
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