Non-Omission in Buddha-Nature  

In teaching the Fa, I have mentioned many times that the emergence of scriptures in Sakyamuni’s Buddhism and in the Dharma-Ending Period was brought about mainly because some people added into the Dharma their own words and understandings—this is the greatest lesson in history. Nevertheless, some disciples simply refuse to abandon their ordinary human attachments. Being taken advantage of by the demon-nature of being attached to showing off their eloquence and literary talents, they unknowingly undermine the Buddha Fa.

Recently, some people have been calling it “dumping dirty water” when students, after deepening their understanding in their cultivation, speak of their past shortcomings in sharing their experiences. This has completely changed the content of cultivation practice. Cultivation practice is sacred, and it is not something like an everyday person’s self-examination or repentance. Disciples! You should not casually take up a term used or mentioned by everyone. Isn’t this adding something human to Dafa? Last year, after the Beijing assistance center put forward the four phrases, I wrote an article, “Correction,” specifically for it. It should be taken seriously. Of course, there are still some other improper terms being circulated. You should think about it: If one word is added today and another the day after tomorrow, with the passage of time the next generation of disciples will not be able to tell whose words they are, and gradually Dafa will be changed.

You must be clear that the form of cultivation practice that I leave you can never be altered. Don’t do anything that I do not do, and don’t use anything that I do not use. In cultivation you should say things however I say them. Pay attention! Inadvertent alteration of the Buddha Fa is undermining it all the same!

I also want to tell you that your nature in the past was actually based on egotism and selfishness. From now on, whatever you do, you should consider others first, so as to attain the righteous Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism. So from now on, whatever you do or whatever you say, you must consider others—or even future generations—along with Dafa’s eternal stability. 

Li Hongzhi

February 13, 1997