A Fight Between Two of My Students Helped Me to Look Inward

(Minghui.org) Two boys suddenly started a fight just as I was about to leave after teaching a class. The other boys didn’t try to stop them, and started cheering and egging them on. I stepped in to stop the fight and took them to my office.

When I asked them how the fight started, they blamed each other. I was not happy with their response and demanded that they each look for their own fault in the matter.

I realized that I was angry, but why? Why did I always ask others to look within while I myself didn't? Nothing is accidental. There were conflicts between local practitioners during that time, blaming each other just like these two boys.

I asked the boys if they knew what was wrong between them. They stated the superficial disagreement they had, but neither of them really wanted to dig out their fundamental problems. They seemed eager to leave as quickly as possible and didn't want me to interfere.

I scolded them, “Did you give any thought to me, your teacher? You started the fight right in front of me.”

Saying that, I realized that sometimes practitioners don't behave like cultivators, either, even though Master is right beside us. Sometimes we argue fiercely in front of Master's photo, defending ourselves and blaming others. Some have gotten so angry that they walked out of the room.

Initially, the two boys only punched each other, but as soon as the other kids surrounded them screaming, “Fight! Fight!” it escalated into something more serious. The onlookers seemed excited when the fight got ugly, but I’m sure it wouldn't have gotten so bad if the onlookers hadn't egged them on.

I talked to the two boys, and they realized their mistakes. I asked them to apologize to each other and shake hands. Both of them smiled and left.

So why did I come across such an incident? It must be something relating to me. I had to look within and improve my xinxing. The old forces are like onlookers, cheering when practitioners have conflicts. They try to separate us, laugh at us and stir up our human attachments. They make us think that it is another practitioner's fault when conflicts arise, and make us try to change other people instead of looking within. The old forces are happy when we are in chaos and do not work well together.

I was ashamed of myself. I have been practicing for so many years but still didn't behave well in front of my students. When the students didn't behave, I criticized them and didn't think of them as a mirror for me to look inward. Not until today did I realize that we should let go of our ego and look within unconditionally, letting go of our human thoughts, notions and attachments. We should form one body and do the three things well as Master requires us to do.

I will end with Master's Poem “Who's Right, Who's Wrong” from Hong Yin III:

"As a cultivatorOne always looks for one's own faults'Tis the Way to get rid of attachments most effectivelyThere's no way to skip ordeals, big or small[During a conflict, if you can remember:]'He's right,And I'm wrong,'What's to dispute?"

Thank you, Master, for your kind reminder!