(Clearwisdom.net) You Ruo was Confucius student. Because he spoke like Confucius, his speech sounded very philosophical, and he thus gained a good reputation amongst the disciples. After Confucius death, the disciples had no one to teach them or answer their questions. Since You Ruos speeches sounded very similar to Confucius teachings, they decided that he should be the teacher.
However, You Ruos failure to obey Confucius was exposed shortly after he became the teacher. Unable to answer many of the disciples questions, he was shaken and at a loss for words. By then, the disciples were awakened and asked him to step down from the teaching position. They said: "When Teacher was alive, regardless of the disciples questions, he provided answers with perfection and subtlety that truly inspired our minds. You merely adorn your speeches and do not understand the subtlety of the Tao. You do not deserve to be our teacher!"
In Confucius "Lun Yu," there are three speeches by You Ruo in the Record of Lectures. His speeches were based on his level of understanding. When we read them now, his interpretations not only limit peoples understandings, they are also wrong. Another disciple, Zi Xia, had also inserted his own words in "Lun Yu." Although his interpretations seem easy to understand, in reality, he has disseminated inaccuracies for generations.
When Shakyamuni was close to reaching Nirvana, he warned his disciples that whenever they stated Shakyamunis teachings, they had to add, "This is what Ive heard," or, "The following words are the original words I heard from the Buddha." Whenever Confucius disciples introduced his words, they also said "Confucius said." These are not merely words of formality. They carry profound implications.
Once we learn this concept, we should understand Teachers requirement to add: "Teacher Li Hongzhi said," or, "This is how its written in the book," whenever we use Teachers words to spread the Fa. We can only discuss our understandings and should not treat our words as the Fa. As we compare You Ruos disobedience with Zi Gongs respect toward his teacher, we find that their states of mind are completely opposite. Just like some people today, once they have understood a little bit of the Fa, or they feel that they have obtained a bit of capability, they either develop demonic interference from their own minds, or are influenced by flattery. They even consider themselves Buddhas or Taos. Isnt it absurd? When we encounter these kinds of practitioners, we should follow Teachers instructions, and not be confused by them. As Dafa practitioners, we are responsible for safeguarding the Fa. We do not allow behavior that undermines the Fa, whether it is intentional or not. The duty of safeguarding the Fa begins with oneself.