Boundless Compassion
[PureInsight.org] There is a story: A leaf fell from a small tree, and the other leaves around it laughed at it because it had died prematurely. A wise man was passing by and said, “Actually, everyone should take responsibility for this falling leaf. The other leaves took too much nutrition for themselves, so this leaf did not have enough to sustain its life. The barren soil restricted the plants growth. The rocks blocked the sunlight, and this leaf was often in the shade. The wind was too fierce and there was little rainfall. There were a lot of factors that contributed to this leaf falling prematurely from the branches. Why would you criticize and laugh at it?” In life, people have developed a habit of laughing at and criticizing others when they make a "mistake," but do not think of their own responsibilities in the matter.
Life today has seriously deviated from truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance, which are the characteristics of the universe. People have become more and more narrow-minded and selfish, and more indifferent towards others. However, people’s kind thoughts, though you cannot see their formations, have a magic of unmatched power. They can pass through distant space to reach unimaginable heights.
Within nature, God created a magical species, the red cedar. It is truly a towering tree on Earth. The maximum height it can grow to is over one hundred meters, equivalent to a thirty-story skyscraper. Red cedars came into existence more than one hundred and sixty million years ago. Today, many of the red cedars in North America have been alive for approximately 2,000 years. Why do they reach this incredible height? They grow in groves and then mature into a forest. Underground, the roots of every tree are closely linked, forming a huge root network. If there was a storm but the whole ground was not overturned in the process, not one tree would fall. In addition, because of this huge root network, they do not need to have their roots so deep underground, and most of their energy is used to grow upwards. The trunks are thick and majestic, towering to reach a height that other trees could never reach.
The roots of red cedars are different from the roots of other plants. Their roots are roots with compassion, and they do not take from others for their own interests. They open themselves up, and every tree has all of its roots open to the others. They are also closely linked and support each other, with a unique nature of goodness creating a strong body of trees. The red cedars are the only trees that grow to such great heights, becoming towering trees.
This brings to mind Shen Yun. Shen Yun Performing Arts is a world-renowned, enduring sound of heaven. It spreads the values of the truth of the universe and the earth, and its tremendous energy is beyond the secular world. I do not know how many people have been deeply stirred by Shen Yun, but there are a fast growing number of mainstream Western people admiring Shen Yun. Many audience members have mentioned a common experience: the Shen Yun artists make people feel strongly that they are a whole body. Every performer is selfless and devote to one another in coordination. As one audience member said, "That good energy is inconceivable." That "good energy,” is what moves numerous audience members to tears, and makes Shen Yun "the world's best show."
Compassion is the foundation of human survival, and there is no limit to the level that compassion can reach. However high the realm of kindness is, it accommodates the realm of all things and immeasurable beings. However, selfishness only leads people to their demise. Having kindness for others can take us out of the darkness, and on our way home.
Translated from: http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2012/2/28/80834.html