(Minghui.org) A few years ago, a fellow practitioner in our Fa study group said I didn’t have compassion. At the time, I felt I was very kind and didn’t take his comment seriously. A small incident later hinted that I should pay more attention to cultivating compassion.
This occurred two years ago when I was on a bus to visit my daughter. I sat in a window seat and felt very hot due to the sunshine. After two stops, the passenger next to me got off, so I quickly moved to his seat to avoid the heat. At that moment, there was an elderly woman standing next to me holding a small cart.
She was babbling while walking towards the window seat. I didn’t pay attention to what she was saying at first. But when I listened carefully, I found she was talking about me: “Why are you so tricky that you don’t sit in your seat? You let me bask in the sun.” I didn’t care much about her remark. It’s a common practice to change seats, and everyone does it. So I didn’t feel I did anything inappropriate.
After I got home, I realized I was wrong to change my seat. I am a Dafa practitioner, not an ordinary person. I often tell myself to be selfless and altruistic; however, I failed to do so upon encountering this situation. Did it really matter if I gave the good seat to someone and took the seat in the sun? This meant that I hadn’t cultivated compassion. Dafa practitioners wouldn’t act like I did. I really felt ashamed. I decided I would start to pay attention to my every thought and get rid of ordinary thinking.
On another occasion, I was taking the subway when I heard a woman next to me talking to her companion, “It would be nice if you could sit down.” The companion said, “It’s OK.” I looked at this person, who looked much younger than me and felt there must be a reason for her to need a seat. So I immediately stood up and gave my seat to her.
She was embarrassed and thanked me again and again. The woman next to her was her sister. She told me that her sister had knee surgery and still couldn’t stand for long periods. I was concerned and asked a few questions about her condition. I then clarified the truth to her about Dafa and quitting the Chinese Community Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations to ensure her safety. She gladly accepted. Since the subway was crowded, I didn’t get a chance to help her sister quit the CCP. So I felt regret about missing the opportunity.
When I took the subway on another day, I saw a woman standing in front of me who was about my age. She seemed to be feeling bad, so I got up and gave her my seat. She said she just had cancer surgery and went through chemotherapy and was going to the hospital for a check-up. I then took the opportunity to clarify the truth to her.
She told me she believed in Jesus. I replied, “Jesus is a great God. If you believe in God, God will protect you. However, you joined the CCP, which is atheistic and against God. Only by quitting the CCP, can you be protected by God.”
I also briefly told her the truth about Dafa and the persecution. She listened attentively, accepted the alias I gave her and quit the CCP. Another life was saved!
On the third occasion, I gave my seat to an elderly lady with a cane. She told me she had lumbar spine surgery that was a failure, and how it was difficult for her to walk. I mentioned she could apply for a disability certificate and get services provided by long-term care insurance. She was happy to hear this.
She happened to get off the bus with me, so I helped her off and told her that I was a Dafa practitioner. I explained the truth about Dafa and asked her to quit the CCP to ensure her safety. She gladly accepted my offer and quit the CCP.
These small situations helped me to cultivate more compassion. When I kindly gave my seat to others, they could feel the power of compassion. I could then naturally tell them the truth about Dafa. In thinking about it further, if that woman who I let sit in the sun knew I was a Dafa practitioner, she would have had a negative impression of Dafa. Nothing is minor in cultivation. A Dafa practitioner’s words and actions have a great impact on people!
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Category: Improving Oneself
