A Western Falun Dafa Practitioner
Many of the ethical attributes and moral
teachings for people to strive for I had gleaned from studying Zhuan Falun for
almost seven years now have rung a bell all along. It was not until this week
that I became aware of the prompts swirling in my head, discovering where those
teachings came from. I had heard them before, though in a slightly different form,
and not nearly as in-depth as in Master Li’s teachings.
Nevertheless,
I finally figured out why it has been relatively easy for me all along to internalize
Master’s teachings. I had heard similar admonitions all throughout my young
life, in my teens, and later in my adult life. They resemble the wisdom, ethics
and morals taught in writings called the ” Sermon on the Mount,” a universal
charter of ethics and higher ideals that had shaped moral principles of the civilized
world for the past 2,000 years. They are also the foundations of orthodox Christian
religions and are actually part and parcel of our present codes of law. These
ethics and moral principles are the forerunners to Master’s Universal Law.
As he told us, all that existed and exists was and is for the good of Falun Dafa.
That is why I consider the “Sermon on the Mount” a precursor to Zhen,
Shan, Ren and all that it entails.
This historic legacy, the “Sermon
on the Mount”, even spells out clearly that all men must abide by The Law,
although the writers of that ancient text knew nothing yet of the marvelous, unequalled
Falun Xulien Da Fa Master was to leave us with in this present time. Nonetheless,
part of that ancient text has this to say: “Think not that I am come to destroy
the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” I understand
this as a portent of Fa-rectification. The text reads on: “For I say unto
you, till heaven and earth disintegrate, nothing how so ever minute must deviate
from the law, until all it fulfilled.” Even then, people were admonished
to abide by the law and not stray from the narrow path. And, the next sentence
sounds as if written for us Falun Dafa disciples: “Unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the common people, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom
of Heaven,” which I interpret as meaning we have to overcome the notions
and habits common people hold onto and absolutely follow Master Li’s teachings,
or we will never reach Consummation.
Having been raised with this 2,000
year old wisdom, and being familiar with these ideas prior to embracing the teachings
of Falun Dafa, has [probably] made cultivation easier for me than for most people
who did not have the good fortune to be somewhat prepared for the right road.
But those of us who were members of orthodox churches at one time must make the
transition to relying totally on the guidance of Dafa.
Although I have since
realized the extreme limitations practicing a religion puts on a Dafa follower,
the lessons I had learned in my youth from the “Sermon on the Mount”
had been a help, particularly the admonitions in that ancient text that deal with
seeking revenge and love for one’s enemies. The “Sermon on the Mount”
urges a person to abolish all thoughts of revenge and let it be, whatever the
insult another has heaped on me. That is not easy – to say, “forget
it,” to genuinely forgive when someone does me wrong, making forgiveness
a huge part of a being a step closer to heaven. The “Sermon on the Mount”
further encourages people to think of others first and let go of self-serving
thoughts. It even encourages people to send righteous thoughts in private, in
a sense, focusing on the cares of the universe and not asking for personal favors.
The “Sermon on the Mount” is quite specific about loyalty, enlightenment
and absolute faith in wisdom and compassion of the Originator/Spirit/Overall Master
Buddha.
And finally, the “Sermon on the Mount” says this: “The
gate to enter paradise is wide open; the path to fulfillment is narrow, but the
road to destruction is broad, and unless you walk the rocky, narrow path you will
not reach your glorious destination!” That is what Falun Dafa teaches –
unless we practitioners let go of all notions, habits and desires that are in
cultivation’s way, we will not reach the goal.
Posting date:
3/Dec/2004
Original article date: 30/Nov/2004
Category: Practitioner’s Insights
