(Minghui.org) In the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West, the Golden Cicada was cast down from the heavens because he fell asleep while listening to the Buddha's teaching. He became a monk in the human world, named Xuanzang. During his legendary pilgrimage to the West in search of the Buddhist scriptures, all eighty-one trials and tribulations that Xuanzang and his disciples went through were tests arranged by the Buddha to remove their human attachments.

Xuanzang's journey was part of his cultivation path toward Buddhahood. It was such a serious matter that many beings from the heavens got involved. Some created temptations or interference, while others even tried to harm or kill Xuanzang. For example, when Xuanzang's heart was moved by beautiful women, a scorpion demon transformed into a woman and tried to kill him.

After cultivating in Falun Dafa for twenty-three years, my understanding is that every Dafa practitioner's journey of cultivation is also a path of cultivation towards Buddhahood. Our trials and tribulations are intricately arranged, requiring higher standards as we progress. Our mission and what we will accomplish are much greater than that of Xuanzang.

Everything a practitioner experiences during cultivation, whether it appears to be good or bad, has been arranged with multiple purposes. Some scenarios are designed to test practitioners. Others happen to encourage someone to cultivate, or block someone else from taking up cultivation.

For those who don't practice Falun Dafa, I hope you will treat the practice with respect. No one should hold resentment toward Dafa just because they aren't happy with a practitioner’s behavior. Dafa practitioners are going through their trials and tribulations just like Xuanzang did.