Robot Monk Xian'er

我们应该如何看待人情世故？How should we view human feelings? 不离人情，关键看自己的发心。Not departing from human feelings, the keypoint rests in our aspiration.应该怎样发心？How should I arouse my aspiration? 想让我们的心更加开放、灵活、勇猛，要穿上慈悲的铠甲，拿上智慧的宝剑，把内心的无明与障碍扫除。仅仅寻求答案解决不了问题，只有修行的过程才能解决问题。In order to make our hearts more open,flexible and brave, we should put on the armor of kindness and compassion, takethe sword of wisdom, and remove the ignorance and obstacles from our hearts.Mental problems cannot be solved just by seeking answers, but by the process ofcultivation and practice.哦，我明白了。谢谢老师的指导！！Oh, I see. Thank you Teacher for yourguidance! ! 不客气。My pleasure.

应该怎么办？What should I do?不要当做还债，要当做结善缘。Don't treat it as paying a debt,but view itas making good connections.那别人帮了你，也应该有所回馈吧。If you got help from someone else, youshould also give something back. 把心放开，欢喜地接受他人的帮助，对方能感到付出的快乐，这也是一种回馈；进一步，把这种温暖传递给更多的人，则是更好的感恩。Open your heart and joyfully accept thehelp from others, then they can also feel the joy of giving. This is also akind of giving back. Whats more, it is abetter gratitude to pass this warmth to more people.哦，应该大大方方地接受帮助才对呀。Oh, I should be natural and poised toaccept help. 勇敢的接受爱、快乐的传递爱，就是对每一个想让世界更美好的人最好的回报和响应。Brave acceptance of love and joyfultransmission of love are the best reward and response to everyone who wants tomake the world better.

对，就是不愿欠人情。Yes. I just don't want to owe interpersonaldebt.“欠人情”的心态，感恩心少而不安更多，因为担心自己将来还人情的麻烦，无形中把人与人之间的关心帮助当做了交换，这是一种自我包裹的表现，是内心虚弱、自卑、怕受伤害的表现。The mentality of "owing interpersonaldebt" implies less gratitude and more restlessness for fear of the troubleof returning a favor in the future, imperceptibly taking the interpersonal careas an exchange. This is a behaviour of self-wrapping, a symptom of innerweakness, self-abased and fear of being hurt.为什么会这样呢？Why is this so? 这种心理就是过于在意自己。This kind of psychology isfeatured by taking too much care about self.

提问（金心）Question ( By Jin Xin)回 答（贤勇）Answer ( By Xian Yong) 我特别害怕求人，如果谁帮了我就总想着怎么赶紧把这份情还回去，心里沉甸甸的。您帮我分析分析这是怎么回事。I am particularly afraid to ask for help. If anyone helps me, I always think about how to return it quickly, loaded with heavy psychological burden. Please help me analyze what's going on in my mind. 这就是世间的“人情债”。This is the “interpersonal debt” in the world. 对，就是不愿欠人情。Yes. I just don't want to owe interpersonal debt. “欠人情”的心态，感恩心少而不安更多，因为担心自己将来还人情的麻烦，无形中把人与人之间的关心帮助当做了交换，这是一种自我包裹的表现，是内心虚弱、自卑、怕受伤害的表现。The mentality of "owing interpersonal debt" implies less gratitude and more restlessness for fear of the trouble of returning a favor in the future, imperceptibly taking the interpersonal care as an exchange. This is a behaviour of self-wrapping, a symptom of inner weakness, self-abased and fear of being hurt.

有很多假冒的乞讨者利用我们的同情心骗取钱财，收入比我们还高。我们该如何面对那些乞讨者？Many fake beggars take advantage of ourcompassion to defraud, making even more money than we do. How should we dealwith such beggars? 把重点放在自己的善业上，懂得自己在做什么，就不会总是随着外境而转。无论他人如何，自己造一份善业，终不会被业果欺骗。Focus on your own good deeds and know whatyou are doing, and you will be immune to the external phenomena. No matter whatothers do, you will never be deceived by the karmic law when you create a goodkarma.假乞丐不碍真布施，只要自己的布施心是真诚的、无悔的，那也是成就了一份善业；如果自己做不到，走过他时内心发一个善愿，愿将来自己能以佛法布施给他，也很好；或感慨于现在社会缺乏诚信、沉迷物欲的大环境，把自己的时间、精力、金钱投入到信得过的团体，发心去改善，同样很好。False beggars do not hinder true giving. Aslong as we give alms with no regret but sincerity, that will constitute a goodkarma; if you are unable to do so, it is also good to make a good wish as youpass by, or to invest your time, energy and money in the group you trust withan aspiration for improvement, when you are concerned about the lack of goodfaith in the present society and the indulgence in an environment ofmaterialism.谢谢老师的指导，受益匪浅！Thank you Master for your guidance. It isvery helpful! 祝您好运！Good luck!

亏欠心与感恩心该如何区分？ How to distinguish between a heart of thanksgiving and a feeling of debt? 亏欠的感觉，内心是封闭的，会感到欠了别人的人情、恩情而沉重不安，感恩心则是一种开放、坦然、真心实意的欢喜。虽都是受了他人的帮助，但前者是烦恼，后者是善法，源于自己内心不同方向的思维习惯。A feeling of debt is a closed state of mind that makes one feel burden and unease due to owing the favor and kindness of others. Whereas a heart of thanksgiving is an open, calm and sincere joy. In the case of receiving help from others, the former is bound by afflictions, while the latter is filled with virtues, both of which derive from different thinking habits in different directions.

对骗子短暂的慈悲可能会助长他们不劳而获的习气，如果拒绝施舍可以促使他们改变，从而走上正道不是更好么？Temporary compassion for deceivers may reinforce their habit of getting something for nothing. Wouldn't it be better if refusal to give could prompt them to change and get on the right path? 首先要有利益众生的悲悯心，进一步才会思考如何去利益众生。慈悲心是自己的心，不是外在的行为。慈悲柔软了自己的心，外在的行为可以根据因缘灵活多变。对于大多数人来说，恰恰是缺乏慈悲心，一味在外相上去计较分别。 First of all, we must develop compassion for all sentient beings, and then we can think about how to benefit them all. Compassion is an internal instead of external behavior. With compassion softening our own hearts, we can flexibly adjust our extrinsic actions according to causes and conditions. For most of us, it is precisely the lack of compassion within that makes us blindly focus on differentiation among external appearances. 社会上有些拐卖集团经常将一些儿童弄成残废后放在街上乞讨，我们就算以慈悲心、结善缘心给予儿童施舍，可能反令拐卖集团觉得此举有利可图，更多的拐卖伤害儿童，行乞牟利。坊间对于施还是不施也各执一词，我们该如何看待这个问题呢？Some trafficking groups often cripple children and then leave them begging on the streets. Even if we give alms to those children with loving-kindness and compassion in order to make good connections, the trafficking groups may find it profitable in abducting, selling, harming, and forcing more children to beg for profit. People on the street have different opinions on it, sticking to their own arguments regarding whether to give or not in such situations. How should we look at this problem?在不圆满的因缘条件下，无论做什么事情，都很难得到现前、究竟、各方面都满意的结果，站在不同的角度，看法就有所不同，万事万物都是如此，如果总是在这个层面去考虑问题，就容易矛盾、想不开。不管如何做，都要明白自己这样做的意义是什么。宗旨清明，行为才会有力。Under the imperfect set of causes and conditions, it is very difficult to get an immediate, ultimate, and all-around satisfactory result no matter what you do. There are different points of view from different perspective. This is true of everything. If you always consider problems this way, you are liable to be in contradiction and confusion. Whatever you do, you have to understand what you are doing for. With clear purpose, your action can be powerful.

分不清真假乞丐时，我担心被骗，不愿意给骗子送钱，但就这么走过，心里同情又愧疚。该怎样办呢？ When I couldn't tell a real beggar from a fake one, I was afraid of being cheated and was reluctant to give money to a swindler, just walking by with sympathy and guilt. How to cope with that case?我们通常认为身体上的苦是苦，而忽视被烦恼蒙蔽的心灵之苦。被骗的人固然苦，骗人的人同样也是苦，当发大愿心拔除一切众生的苦及苦因。We usually think of physical pain as suffering, but ignore the mental suffering that is concealed by afflictions. As both the deceived and the deceiver suffer, we should vow to eliminate the suffering and its cause of all beings. 现在社会上有人专门碰瓷，有人专门假扮乞丐，我们还应该去扶他们，施舍他们吗？如果我们盲目地做好事，会纵容这些错误吗？Nowadays, some people specialize in racketeer, and some in pretending to be beggars in society. Should we still go to help them or give them charity? If we do good deeds blindly, will we pamper such mistakes?你可以布施笑容、布施正气、布施智慧。做好事不能盲目。You can give them smiles, righteousness and wisdom. Good deeds should not be done blindly.

老师好，在大街上总是遇到乞丐，无法判断是真是假，不知该不该布施，请您指导。Venerable Master, I come across beggars inthe streets very often, but can't tell if theyare fake or not. I wonder if I should give them alms. Would you please give meyour guidance? 请讲。 Goahead.昨天我看到一个中年妇女在红绿灯路口要钱，我给了她，但下一个路口还有一个在要钱，我迷茫了，不知道这是在积善还是在助长别人的恶业？Yesterday, I saw a middle-aged woman askingfor money at an intersection, and then I gave her some. But at the nextintersection, there was another one asking for money. I was at a loss, notknowing whether I was accumulating merits or encouraging others' evil karma. 布施是为了破除我们自己的悭吝之心。Giving alms is to eliminate one's ownstinginess.

怎么去努力呢？ How do you do that? 在平常的生活中，要多练习去看一个人的优点和付出，增长自己的感激之心。也就是多培养感恩心、惭愧心、慈悲心。这几种心的特质跟嗔心恰好相反，就像水与火一样，培养这几种心，就好比把内心的易燃物换成柔软清凉的净水，火就烧不起来了。In ordinary life, practice looking for a person's merits and efforts to grow our appreciation, that is, to cultivate a sense of gratitude, shame and compassion, the mental traits of which are exactly the opposite to that of hatred, like water and fire. To cultivate these mentalities is to replace the inflammable inside with soft, cool, and clean water, providing no conditions for potential risks of fire. 现在社会上好多人特别容易愤怒，动不动就暴力解决问题，伤害无辜。为什么会这样？ Nowadays, many people are quite short tempered, liable to use violence to solve problems, thus hurting the innocent. Why is that? 人越来越容易愤怒，是因为人心越来越脆弱，越来越没有力量，找不到安心之处。If people are more easily to flare up, that's because they become so fragile and strengthless that they can't settle their minds. 心灵的力量要从宁静中得到，心的安宁才是生命真正的家园。The strength of mind comes from tranquility, and a peaceful mind is the true home of life.

暴躁的性格能改得了吗？Is it possible to change the short-tempered character? 要改掉一个坏习惯，最好的办法莫过于培养一个好习惯。The best way to get rid of a bad habit is to develop a good one. 人的心念不是一成不变的，而是一念一念不断流转、变化的，犹如一条奔腾的河流，如果我们不断向这个河流中加入脏东西，它就越来越黑；如果我们不断清理污垢，它就越来越清。Our thoughts are not unchangeable, flowing one after another like a rushing river. If we keep adding the dirt to the river, it will become darker and darker; If we keep cleaning the dirt, it will get clearer and clearer. “生气”是一种思维习惯，总是发脾气，这个习气就越来越顽固，性格就越来越暴躁；不断改变内心，脾气就越来越小。"Getting angry" is a thinking habit. If you lose your temper all the time, you will reinforce the bad habit and make your character increasingly irritable; Keep changing your mind, and you'll become less grumpy. 师父，我很易怒，常常控制不住自己发脾气，但事后又后悔，有什么好方法可以控制发脾气吗？ Master, I am irritable and often lose my temper uncontrollably, but later I regret it. Is there a good way to control my temper? 脾气暴躁、易怒，就好比内心堆满了易燃物——“嗔烦恼”，外境一点火星就容易引发大火。消防之道，重在平常之防，真正引发火灾后再救是万不得已的办法，而且再怎么救，也会造成很大的损失。Grumpiness and irritability are just like the inflammable materials of hatred accumulating inside --- a spark outside can easily start a fire. The key to fire control is focus on the usual precautions. When a fire breaks out, putting it out is the last resort, and regardless how hard you try to fight the fire, it can also cause a lot of losses. 控制脾气同样如此，不能等到发脾气的时候，那时就来不及了。功夫要在平时嗔心未起之时，持续不断地刻意努力，一次两次是不够的。The same is true of controlling the temper. Don't wait until you lose your temper. That'll be too late. Kungfu should be done at ordinary times with constant and deliberate effort before anger arises. Once or twice is not enough.

我总控制不住自己，为世俗的一些不公平或者小事而生气，如何能够保持清净之心？ I tend to be so carried away that I get angry at some secular injustices or trifles. How can I keep a peaceful mind ? 生气不如争气。It's better to win happily than to get angry. 为什么我嗔恨心那么强，每天怨气那么重？如何化解内心的暴戾之气？ Why do I hate so much that I feel so angry every day? How to dissolve my inner cruelness and fierceness? 要用善法把自己身心充实起来，才能有力量去控制脾气、善待他人。Enrich your body and mind with wholesome teachings, and you can cultivate the strength to control your temper and be kind to others. 若自己内心空虚，行动又不努力，整个人是没有能量的，就会被烦恼控制。If you have no clear goals in mind and no commitment to hard work, you will have no energy to control yourself but fall prey to afflictions.

我一遇到棘手的事或是赶时间，就很容易生气着急，一不小心就把身边的人给伤害了，我该怎样调节呢？ I'm quite anger-prone as I'm in a rush or when things get tough, accidentally getting people around hurt. How can I regulate myself to avoid such a case? 发怒时决不要轻易开口，此时一出口便是伤人伤己之言。此时最好能够远离境界，自己独处，慢慢静下来。不管心中有多勉强，要尽量念诵佛菩萨圣号；如果有佛像，拜佛效果会更好。 Never blurt out when you are angry. To blurt out at this point is to hurt both self and others. It is best to keep away from the circumstances at that moment and stay alone to calm down slowly. However reluctant you are, try to recite the holy names of the Buddha and bodhisattvas; if there is a statue of Buddha, it'll be even better to worship Buddha. 生气的根源是什么？我脾气不好，总是动不动就发脾气，大吼大叫，控制不住，有什么办法吗？ What is the root cause of anger? I have a bad temper. I always spin out of control and lose my temper easily by yelling at others. Is there any way to help me out? 愤怒是一种显现，根源是对自我的执著。当我们对别人不满的时候，通常都没看到自己的缺点。Anger is a manifestation of self-attachment. When we are dissatisfied with others, we usually do not see our own shortcomings. 在日常生活中，多学习待人着想，多做事，多为人付出，不要太以自我为中心。In daily life, we shall learn to be more considerate and helpful when giving more to others than to be too self-centered.

老师好，脾气不好，很容易发火，怎么破？Hello Master, I have a bad temper and tend to fly off the handle. How to tackle this problem? 有佛法就有办法。 Where there is Buddha Dharma, there is a way. 老师，嗔怒情绪来的时候怎么办，明知道生气发怒让自己心疼发抖，但是就是控制不住，这个当下该怎么办呢？强忍不是更伤身吗？ Master, could you tell us how to deal with the feeling of anger when it arises? I knew my anger was so terrible that my teeth ached, but I just can't help it. I wonder how to cope with it instantly? Won't it be worse if I just smother my anger? 暂时远离这个境，深呼吸几分钟，观想自己吸入清净白气，呼出烦恼黑气；或可念佛数百声。You'd better stay away from the ambience for the moment. Try to take deep breaths for a few minutes, then visualize yourself inhaling pure white air and exhaling vexed black air; you may chant the Buddha's name hundreds of times as well.

这些方法我也都试过，可是觉得不管用，我的拖延症是不是治不好了！I've tried them all, but I don't think theywork. I wonder if my procrastination is incurable! 不管用多少理由去分析，用多少方法去辅助，最根本的一点就是要马上去做。“等我找到办法克服了拖延症就好了”，这个想法本身就是拖延的一个借口。只有去做才能改善状况，不可能等着情况变好了再去行动，那只是一个妄想。Whatever reasons you've got in youranalysis and whatever methods can be used as an aid, the most fundamental pointis just do it right away. The idea of “just wait until I find a way to overcomeprocrastination” in itself is an excuse for procrastination. Only by doing canwe improve the situation. It is impossible for us to wait for things to getbetter before we take action. It is no more than a delusion.这种坏毛病是在无数念头的累积中养成的，已经是一个果相，改善唯一的方法就是种正确的因，哪怕一时做不到，也要一点点培养，就从现在开始。培养好习惯，才能改掉坏习惯。This bad habit is developed in theaccumulation of countless thoughts. It has already become a phase of result.The only way to improve it is to have a correct cause. Even if you cannot do itfor a while, you should start from now and cultivate it bit by bit. Only bycultivating good habits can we get rid of bad ones.我也想改，可是我总是开始坚持得很好，但到后面都是有一天没一天，很自卑，怎么办？I also want to change my bad habits. But Ialways held on well in the beginning, but cannot keep at it to the end with afeeling of inferiority. What should I do? 每一天都这么想：再多坚持一天。Think of it every single day: keep at itone more day.深重的习气虽然强大，但是让它改变却只需要努力一点——当下这一点。不必急于期待彻底不犯错的自己，只要我们面对境界有一个微小的转身，就是改变的开始。Strong as a deep habit is, it only takes alittle effort to make it change in the here and now. There is no need to lookforward to a completely infallible self, as long as you have made a slightdifference in the face of such a realm, it is simply a beginning of change.说到底也并不难，因为要战胜的永远只有当下一念。“无比强大”的拖延症，并不是坚不可摧的，而是一念一念组成的。只要自己在“过一会就做”、“有时间就做”的念头产生时，马上着手去做，它就不再可怕了。It's not that hard in the end, because theonly thing to conquer is always the thought in the here and now. The incrediblypowerful procrastination is not indestructible, but composed by thought afterthought. It will no longer be terrible as long as you do it immediately uponthe arising of such thoughts as “do it in a minute” and “do it when I havetime”.谢谢老师！我今天对战胜拖延症有信心了。记住了，马上去做！Thank you, Teacher! I have confidence inovercoming procrastination today. Keeping it in mind, I'll do it right now! 加油！Come on!

还有时，我觉得自己不想做这件事的原因是觉得这件事情不合适。如何区别这是拖延症，还是这件事情确实不适合自己呢？At other times, I think the reason for myreluctance in doing things is the idea that I'm not suitable to do it. How to distinguish procrastinationfrom unsuitability? 对自己所走的路失去了信心，心就会抗拒、徘徊，行为就会软弱无力，一切看似合理的理由都是在找借口而已。If you lose confidence in the path you havetaken, you heart will resist and wander, and your will be weak in action. Anyplausible reason is making an excuse.我们做一件事，最重要的不是兴趣，而是意义。越是有意义的事情，困难会越多，这就要靠我们的愿力与智慧去面对，愿力决定始终，智慧决定成败。The most importance of our doings lies notin our interest but their significance. The more meaningful they are, the moredifficulties there will be, which depends on our aspiration and wisdom to face.Aspiration runs through the process of actions, and wisdom determines theirsuccess.初发心往往会因为现实的阻碍而减弱，这是人之通病，所以我们很强调“勿忘初心”。Original aspiration tends to be weakened bythe obstacles in reality, which is a common issue for human beings. Therefore,we place great emphasis on “never forget the initial aspiration” .那怎么办呢？拖延症有什么好办法可以解决吗？What shall we do? Is there any goodsolution to procrastination? 解决拖延症有许多技巧，例如分解目标、与人互相监督等，但最重要的一个方法是：立即去做。可以制定一些切实可行的小目标，在落实的过程中不断增长自信心。There are many solutions toprocrastination, such as decomposing goals and mutual supervising, but the mostimportant method is to do immediately. We can set some small, feasible goals toincrease our confidence in the process of our implementation.

究竟是什么原因导致的拖延症呢？What on earth leads to procrastination? 拖延症有很多原因：畏难情绪、侥幸心理等等，而当它成为一个习惯之后，这个惯性的力量就成为了最重要的原因。There are many causes of procrastinationsuch as fear of difficulties, fluke mind, etc.. After forming a habit, theforce of such psychological inertia becomes the most important cause ofprocrastination.遇到困难，做不下去怎么办？What if I can't go on when encounteringdifficulties? 当我们做事遇到困难时，要问一下：我们做的东西是不是我们要的？如果是我们要的东西，是我们追求的东西，我们就要一以贯之，勇往直前，永不退缩，往下做，往下学，最后事业就成功了。When we encounter difficulties in doingthings, we should ask ourselves: is it what we want? If so, we should keep atit bravely and never back down. Conversely, we should forge ahead and continueto learn until we eventually succeed in career.搞任何事情都不能有一种应付的心理，都要一鼓作气，还要越做越好，越做越大，不然人就完了。Nothing can be done without a seriousattitude. One has to get it done at one go and make it better and bigger, orelse he'll end up in going down.

老师好，有些很烦恼的事，想请您帮忙解答！Dear teacher, I've got something vexing. Could you please help me out? 请讲。Yes, please.我行动力非常缺乏，老是拖拖拉拉，常常把自己拉到焦虑和抑郁的边缘，都快崩溃了！您帮帮我吧！I'm starved of impetus and always procrastinate until the last moment,thus dragging myself into anxiety and depression, and even a breakdown! Pleasehelp me! 拖延症是一种典型的不理智行为，被情绪所控制而白白浪费许多时间，越是如此心中焦虑越深，于是情绪越重，形成恶性循环。Procrastination is a typical irrational actionsubject to emotions and wastes a lot of time. The more anxious you are, themore intense your ill emotions become. Then a vicious circle comes into being.负面情绪的产生，不是事情太多，而是最重要的一件事情没有做，一直沉甸甸地压在心头。Negative emotions are not due to too manythings undone, but due to the most important thing that has not been done yetand has been weighing heavily on your mind.许多人喜欢把最难的一件事放在最后去做，其实是一种潜在的逃避。内心深处的畏难、愧疚、担忧慢慢堆积，便形成“压力山大”，越发感到困难和畏惧。Many people like to postpone the mostdifficult thing to the end. This is actually a potential escape. Utmost fear ofdifficulties, a sense of guilt and worry slowly accumulate into “greatpressure”, which results in feeling more difficult and frightened.

在生活中总能遇到“三个和尚没水吃”的情况。懒惰，等待别人似乎是没有办法解决的问题，要怎么办呢？应该视而不见和别人一起等待，还是永远自己替别人去挑水？The case of “three monkshave no water to drink” always occursin life. Laziness and dependence seem to be a problem that cannot be solved.How to cope with it? Turn a blind eye to wait along with others, or alwayscarry water for somebody else? “挑水”并不是为了别人，而是为了自己。人总喜欢算计，怕自己吃亏，结果是自他俱损；不计较付出与所得，心甘情愿“吃亏”，利他的同时更是利己，吃亏是福！ “Carry water” is not forsomebody else, but for ourselves. If one always prefer calculation for fear ofsuffering losses, it will bring about the losses of others and oneself. If onedoes not fuss about his sacrifices and gains but volunteers to “suffer losses”,it will benefit oneself as well as others. That's why sacrifices becomeblessings!老话总说：吃亏是福，无助者天助。人真的因为厚道不计较得失而得到上天厚爱吗？An old saying goes that sacrifices bring about blessings, and Heavenhelps the helpless. Is it true that one can receive great kindness from Heavenfor his own kindness of not bothering about personal gains and losses? 所谓“天助”，其实是“自助”，没有一个外在的“上天”来实施奖惩，一切都是由业力决定的，种善因得善果，种恶因得恶果。宽厚老实之人，因其心纯良，故福愈厚；机巧奸猾之人，因其心诡诈，故福愈薄。The so-called “heaven-help” actually refers to “self-help”, namely,there is no external “heaven” to carry out rewards and punishments, aseverything is determined by karma. Good causes lead to good results, whereasevil causes bring about evil consequences. A kind, honest person receives moreblessings for his purely kind heart; while a crafty, cunning man get lessblessings for his deceitful mind.看来还是要多学习，才能安心做个善良的人啊！谢谢老师！By and large, we still need to learn more before settling to beingkind. Thank you, Master! 不客气！It is my pleasure.

为了强大，就得让心变硬、变坏吧！所以有那么多善良的人在这世间经历生活之后变成一个丑陋的人，变成世俗之人！Probably, in order to be strong, we have to harden our heart and getit gone bad. That's why so many kindpeople have become ugly and worldly after going through ups and downs in thismundane world! 善良是不容置疑的，唯有善良才能带给人心最究竟的平静与快乐。很多人不能坚持善良，是因为内心对道之真理不清楚，不明白，在境界面前产生了怀疑与动摇，其结果是为了一时小利而失去了生命大利，从更长远、更究竟的层面看，对自己是伤害而不是保护。Kindness is beyond all doubt. Only kindness can bring peopleultimate peace and happiness. That many people cannot insist on kindness is dueto their having no inner understanding of the truth but doubts and vacillationson the lofty realms. Consequently, they lost great benefits of life for pettygains. From a long-term and ultimate perspective, such a state of mind willhurt rather than to protect themselves.强大并不是要通过放弃善良来完成。我们要做的，是努力让自己的善心更有智慧和力量。Strength is not achieved by giving up kindness. What we have to dois try our best to equip our good heart with more insight and power.说到提升智慧，这个智慧到底是什么样的呢？我怎么觉得好心人在这社会上就像毫无防护的蚕宝宝。When it comes to enhancement of insight, what does insight mean onearth? I feel kind-hearted people are like unprotected silkworm babies in thissociety. 智慧是抉择的能力，遇到事情懂得怎样去做才能对自己和他人长远的未来有所利益，这要基于对业果的学习和了解。业果之理告诉我们，对自己最好的保护就是善业。Insight is the ability to make choices and know how to benefitoneself and others in the long-term. This is based on learning about causaleffects, the principle of which tells us that our good karma is the bestprotection for ourselves.

我真诚待人，人不真诚待我，该如何？我以善意待人，人以恶意待我，又该如何？一味心善，被踩死是活该吗？I am sincere to others, what if others are not sincere to me? And Itreat others with kindness, what if others treat me with malice? Stubbornlysticking to kindness is doomed to being bullied? 善良绝不等于软弱可欺，恰恰相反，善良是一种力量，看见光明、战胜阴暗、唤醒美好的力量，当想放弃善良时，正说明自己内心的软弱无力。人生来就应该善良，失去了善良的心，即使得到了一时的成功，又有何快乐可言呢？更何况，善业必感善果，恶业必感恶果，不可急功近利，只看一时一事。Kindness is by no means equal to being weak and easily bullied, butinstead a kind of power to see the light, to conquer the dark and to awaken thegood. It's just when you want to give up kindness that shows your innerweakness. Everybody should have been born to be kind. Without a kind heart, whowould have been happy even if achieving a temporary success? More importantly,good deeds lead to good results, and evil ones bad consequences. Never justlook at one thing at a time and seek quick success and instant gain for now.社会上的现实通常是人善被人欺马善被人骑，我即使有向善之心，但却屡屡因此吃亏挫败，当做何解？Usually, good people are apt to be bullied in social reality, justas strong horses are likely to be ridden. Even with a good heart, I stillrepeatedly suffer losses and setbacks. How should it be explained? 不要把吃亏挫败归罪于善良，这是什么因果？当下所受的境遇，是许多因缘共同作用的果报，善良是自己为人处世的态度和选择，我们看不清业果、因缘，遭遇逆境时却胡思乱想。知识才能要学习，业果法则更要学习。Don't impute losses and setbacks to kindness, but have such athought: what is the cause and effect? The situation here and now is the resultof many causes and conditions working together. Kindness is our attitude andchoice in dealing with people. We tend to not see clearly the causal effectsand conditions, but fall into thinking nonsense in adversity. That's why weneed to learn more about the law of karma based on acquiring knowledge andskill.为什么善良的人总是会受到伤害？Why do good people always get hurt? 他人的伤害不是因为我们善良，是因为我们不够强大。The harm from others is not in that we are kind, but in that we arenot strong enough.

老师好，我总是很担心“人善被人欺”。Greetings,Master. I am always worried that “nice guys areprone to be bullied.” 怎么会这么想呢？Why doyou think so?我发善心去帮助别人，却被骗了。做一个好人这么难，我还要坚持善良吗？I wascheated when I aroused my kindness to help others. It is so hard to be a goodperson, should I insist on being kind? 许多人在行善的过程中遇到了挫折、不理解甚至来自“受助者”的伤害后，就会觉得善良的人容易受伤害，这是因为不懂得为什么要善良，对付出总有期待，一旦期待不能达成，就觉得委屈、困惑、不公……其实，若认为只要是做善事就会事事顺利，那就太天真了。恰恰是要在一切情况下坚持为善，才是菩萨发心，才懂得行善是自己的事。Afterencountering setbacks, misunderstandings or even injury from the “recipients”in the process of doing good, many feel that kind people are easily hurt. Thisis because they do not know why to be kind, but always expect something inreturn. Once their expectations cannot be fulfilled, they will feel wronged,confused and unfair ... actually, it is naive to think that everything will gowell simply by doing good. It is the persistence of doing good under all circumstances that arousesthe mind of Bodhisattva and manifests the principle of doing good being one'sown business.

Fix the mindWhen we focus our attention on the outsideworld, we forget to “fix the mind”, which is the core of cultivation.When judging others as wrong, we must tryto understand their true intentions instead of being caught by formalities;when accepting others as good, to observe their action is enough, we do notneed to dig their intentions.” This is the key to self-cultivation, also theprerequisite of helping others. Many people do it the other way around. Seeingothers' faults, they keep on criticizing and repelling them, with no patiencefor explanations nor intention to understand them. Seeing others' doing gooddeeds, they tend to suspect their motivation and find fault with theirattitudes.What we need, in dealing with people andhandling things, is to choose the focus of our thinking process instead ofsheer analysis of the outside environment. The purpose is to fix our mind, tokeep it wholesome, pure and rid of afflictions.修自己的心当我们把重点放在外在的境上时，就忘记了“修自己的心”这个根本。“论人之非，当原其心，不可徒泥于迹；取人之善，当据其迹，不必深究其心。”这是自我修养的关键，也是帮助他人的前提。许多人往往把这二者颠倒，看到他人的过失就一味批评、排斥，不去体察对方的发心，没有耐心听人解释理由；看到他人的善行却容易怀疑其动机，挑剔对方的态度。对人对事，我们选择不同的思维重点而不是单纯分析外境，目的是为了修自己这颗心，让它保持善良、清净，不起烦恼。

A troubled heartWe experience pain because we rely on the external to bring ushappiness. When the heart is troubled, peace only comes within. So, changingour perception is the first step. How we were brought up and educated,ourrelatives' and friends' attitude towards life, etc. all indirectly influencedour perception, and shaped how we see life—possessing brings happiness, whilelacking results in pain. The real cause for our feelings is this perception, notthe external. Believing that we cannot bear losing something is what fills ourhearts with immense pain of loss and suffering. Usually, people do not see thiscausality, so they give their all to go after the external, which in fact, isimpermanent and dependent on conditions. Thus, life is full of sufferings ofbeing apart from loved onesand not getting what one wants.心结苦是因为我们把快乐寄托在不可靠的外境上。心结，从心而解，从改变自己的知见开始。从小到大所受的教育、身边亲友的生活态度，一切都潜移默化地影响了自己头脑中的观念，构成了自己对人生的认知：有什么就会快乐，没有什么就会很苦。真正影响我们苦乐的并不是外在的什么，而是这种认识。认识上觉得“缺了它不行”，内心就真的产生巨大的缺失和痛苦。世人看不透这层关系，就拼命向外在去求，而外在是无常的、缘起的，所以生活中就充满种种爱别离、求不得之苦。

Loving one's parentsFilial piety lies insincerity instead of materials. To support and wait upon our parents, the bestway is to do it appropriately rather than over-abundantly or extravagantly. Itis great harm to our parents to celebrate their birthdays by killing numerousanimals for feasts. Real love and piety for parents is spiritual concern andmore company to converse with them to relieve them from uneasiness and worries.Chung Yeung Festival,September the ninth on Chinese lunar calendar, is a traditional festival in ourcountry. Chung Yeung, which is also called Double Ninth Festival, meansliterally “double nine”, a positive number in Chinese culture. It is also thelargest number, implying long life and health.ChungYeung Festival was celebrated as early as during the Warring States Times and wasappointed as a folk festival since Tang Dynasty. The festival includes suchcustoms and activities as climbing mountains, going outing, appreciatingchrysanthemums and so on. The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is laterappointed as The Seniors' Day in China, connoting respect for parents and theaged.孝亲孝敬贵在心，不在物，奉养父母，适用就好，不需要太过丰盛、奢侈。有些儿女为老人祝寿，大摆宴席、杀生无数，实则是对老人的伤害。真正爱护、孝顺老人，应从精神上多关怀他们，多陪伴他们，听他们说话，解除他们内心的恐惧、烦忧。每年的农历九月初九日为重阳节，是我国的传统节日。“重阳”也称“重九”，“九”为阳数，两九相重，故曰“重阳”。“九”在数字中又是最大数，所以赋予有生命长久、健康长寿的寓意。重阳节早在战国时期就已形成，至唐代被定为民间节日。重阳节有登高祈福的习俗，包括登高、踏秋、赏菊等活动。之后，我国将每年的农历九月九日定为“敬老节”，增添了孝亲敬老等内涵。

When you can't get over something, just stop thinking about it How can we find a way out of a maze?It is easy to have a clear picture ifwe can stand in high places.You can't see the forest for thetrees.When we feel lost and couldn't findthe way,it is usually because we are caught inthe situation,and trapped by our own interests,feelings,gains and losses, and emotions.Find the root cause of the sufferingand address it.Such is what we should put effortinto,not simply letting ourselves drown intrivial emotions.Oftentimes, it is the unsolved problemdeeply hidden in our heart thatexhausts us,not something external.Most of our inner strengthis wasted on all types of delusion andclinging.But how can we see the real problemand our true selves?Take a step back from thecomplications and distress,be an outsider for a while,let the mind rest,and then, observe it.If you can't get over something,just stop thinking about it.Because we cannot escape a spider webcalled “clinging”,in which our thoughts are trapped.Only by making a change, having a newperspective,and viewing it as an outsider,can we be freed from these emotionsand afflictions.However, it is not easy to do so,because it is difficult to overcome oneself.Therefore, we shouldlet ourselves be in the company ofgood teachers and friends,listen to the words of the wise,open up to new lifestyles,and let the light of wisdom shinebright in our hearts.想不通的，就不要去想如何才能找到迷宫的出口？若能站在高处，则能一目了然。“不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中”，我们迷茫、看不清楚方向时，往往是因为陷于境界之中，被自己的利益、感受、得失、情绪所困。找到自己苦恼的真正原因，去解决它。在痛点上着力，而不是被一大堆无关紧要的情绪迷惑。很多时候，导致我们身心疲惫的核心不在外面，而是自己内心深处有问题没有解决，一大半的心力被各种妄想和执著浪费掉了。怎么认识真正的自己、真正的问题呢？跳出眼前的繁琐与苦恼，暂时置身事外，平静下来，观照内心。想不通的，就不要去想，因为我们的念头已经被套在了“执著”的网里，怎么想都逃不出这张网了。只有改变，换一个新的视角去看，置身事外去看，才能从情绪烦恼中解脱出来。但是，新的视角不是那么容易形成的，因为自己很难突破自己，所以要多接触良师益友，聆听智者的言教，体验新的生活，给自己的心灵注入智慧光明。

我在和别人一起做事时，总是特别在意别人对我的看法，请问这是一种怎样的烦恼？应该怎样去对治它？ When I work with others, Ialways care about what others think of me. Could you tell me what affliction itis and how to cope with it? 这是一种微细但深重的名利心，一旦陷入名利心的沼泽，就会被烦恼绑架，不得自在，痛苦远远大于快乐。其实，虚妄的名誉如同过眼云烟，何必去攀求执著？无论是赞叹还是毁谤，都是外在的东西，赞叹不能增长我们的功德，毁谤不能增加我们的罪业，又何必患得患失呢？It is a subtle but deep-rooted obsession with fame and wealth. Oncetrapped in the swamp of fame and wealth, we will be kidnapped by afflictions,feeling uncomfortable. such a pain is far greater than happiness. In fact,delusive fame is as fleeting as clouds. Why bother to get attached to it? Bothpraise and slander are external. Since praise does not increase our merits andslander also cannot add to our unwholesome deeds, why to be swayed byconsiderations of gains and losses?众：感谢老师指导！Audiences: Thank you Master for your advice! 愿大家早日放下烦恼！May everyone let go of your afflictions as soon as possible!

问：老师，一个人总是很在意他人的看法如何是好，明知不必在乎，可是遇事依旧很在意他人眼中的自己，Master, what can I do if I always care too much about others' opinion? I know there is no need to worry but I'm still concerned with what others think of me.而且总是担心别人对自己有误解，害怕自己的做法伤害他人，回复消息时都要小心翼翼，再三斟酌，这样好心累啊，请老师开导。And I'm always afraid ofbeing misunderstood and fear that what I do may hurt others. So I have to becautious and deliberate before responding to a message. I feel my heart sotired. Could you please give me some advice? 答：如果一个人想要痛苦的过一辈子，那么心向外求是个不错的选择。其实，在意他人的眼光，出发点是为了保护自己，但“向外求肯定”的心态却让这个良好的愿望变成了相反的结果，自己越来越脆弱、胆小、自卑。“众生欲除苦，奈何苦更增”，原因就是不认识真正的苦乐根源。佛法中说，痛苦来自于我执、烦恼、恶业，快乐来自于无我、智慧、善业。If you want to suffer a lifetime, seeking outward is a good choice.In fact, the starting point of caring too much about others' opinion is to protect oneself, but the mindset of “looking outsidefor affirmation” turns the good intention into the opposite result, makingoneself more vulnerable, timid and self-abased, just as a verse goes, “Sentientbeings want to get rid of suffering, but the suffering increases”. This is dueto not realizing the real source of suffering and happiness. According toDharma teachings, suffering comes from self-attachment, afflictions andunwholesome deeds, while happiness originates from non-self, wisdom andwholesome deeds.当我们想通过外在来满足自我时，就会被贪嗔等烦恼包围，终陷于痛苦之中；当我们具足正念，一切回归自身，用心去造善业、利他人时，就会感到轻松与快乐。 When we want to satisfy ourselves from outside, we will besurrounded by afflictions such as greed, hatred, etc. and end up in suffering;when we are full of mindfulness, looking at everything from within, and workinghard to create good karma for the benefit of others, we will have a sense ofease and joy. 问：放下东西容易就是放不下旁人的眼光答：I find it easy to put things down, but I just cannot let go ofothers' opinion. 觉得“旁人的眼光”太利，太压迫人，其实是自己内心的紧张投射出来的错觉，别人不一定时时刻刻关注着你，都在忙着自己的事、在意自己，正如你总想着“别人会怎么看我”，没有去观察他人一样。If you feel others' opinion too sharp and aggressive, you areactually fall into an illusion that is projected by your inner tension, sincethey aren't necessarily watching you all the time, but busy with their ownbusiness, and focusing on themselves, just as you're always thinking about “what others will think of me”instead of observing them.

问：我总是害怕失败，害怕别人笑话我，于是什么都不敢做。我总是想把事情做到十全十美，虽然我也知道世上无完事，但总会这么想。我从小生活在一个没有人肯定我的家庭中，我还有个妹妹，小时候，她经常不及格，而我总是考班级前几名。可是，我的爸爸总是会鼓励妹妹，夸赞她。而对我，总是大骂，怪我没考满分。I am always soafraid of failure and ridicule from others that I dare not do anything. Ialways want to make things perfect. Even though I know that there is no perfectthing in the world, I can't help thinking that way. I grew up in a family wherenobody appreciated me. I have a little sister. She often failed her exams as achild while I was always at the top of the class. However, my father alwaysencouraged and praised her, but tended to scold and blame me for not gettingfull marks.答：从小内心欠缺爱和鼓励，会有两个方向。一是意识到人永远无法依靠别人，从而更加自信、坚强；二是被打败，一生都活他人的眼光中，敏感、胆小，郁郁不乐。前者是向内求，后者是向外求，想要选择哪一个，自己应该很清楚的。其实，归罪于家人也是一种向外求的表现。There are two directions for those who have been lack of love andencouragement since their childhood: for one thing, to realize that there isnobody else to rely on, and thus become more confident and stronger; foranother, to be defeated and live a lifetime in others' eyes, turning intosensitivity, timidness, and depression. The former is to look within, while thelatter is to search outside. You should be quite clear about which one you wantto choose. In fact, complaining about your family members is also a form ofseeking outward.人不需要取悦别人，而是要用心做好自己。自己承受过孤独和冷漠，就要发愿不要这样去对待别人，要给予别人信心和温暖。用这种心去策励自己成长，只有自我的成长才能痊愈内心的伤痕。We don't need to please others, but we must do our best by heart. Ifwe suffer from loneliness and indifference, we shall vow to not treat otherslike that, but give confidence and warmth to them. Try to motivate ourselves togrow in such a state of mind. Only self-growth can heal our inner wounds.

2、问：为何我每做一件事或说了什么话，都有人拿来做文章或背后议论，总怕被人指指点点，特别焦虑！Why do I get picked on or gossiped about behind my back every time Ido or say something? I'm constantlyafraid of what others think about me, feeling especially anxious. 答：大家关注自己，说明自己有值得关注之处，要以此为策励，更加努力向上，散发更多正能量。“仰不愧于天，俯不怍于人”，心安、自得、快乐。When people pay attention to yourself, you have something to deservetheir attention. Try to take it as an inspiration, and work harder to transmitmore positive energy, just as an ancient sage said, “Have a clear conscienceover heaven while looking up, and have nothing to be ashamed of whileoverlooking”, which manifests a peace of mind, contentment, and happiness. 3问：平时做事太在意他人的看法，总觉得自己不够好，不能做真正的自己。怎样找回自己，增加自信呢！I usually care too much about the opinions of others. And Iconstantly think that I am not good enough to stay true to myself. How can Ifind myself and enhance my self-confidence? 答：要活在自己的愿力中、智者的指教中，而不是他人的眼光中。自己不够好，是以什么为标准？哪些地方不足？该怎样改善？这样想才有意义，而不是一个畏缩、自卑的心情，莫名其妙的担忧。We should live with our own aspirational power under the guidance ofthe wise instead of living in others' eyes. What is the standard of we beingnot good enough? What are our own shortcomings? How to improve them? What makessense is thinking that way rather than being indulged in a shrinking,self-abased mood and worry for no good reason.

人生活在这个社会中，总会与人打交道，很多人活在他人的眼光中，痛苦不堪。As youknow, people living in this society always have to deal with each other. Butmany living in others' eyes gave way to helpless misery.让智慧来帮助我们战胜这些烦恼吧。Let thewisdom help us out of these afflictions.1、问：今年大龄未婚，前不久工作也没了，越来越自卑自闭，不愿外出也不愿与朋友联系，害怕别人嘲笑瞧不起，心态很不好。请老师指导。 I amabove the average age for marriage but still single. And I lost my jobrecently, feeling more inferior and depressed. I don't want to go out or keepin touch with my friends, afraid of being laughed laugh at or looked down upon.I've been in a very bad state of mind. Master, please give me some advice. 答：人生的路是要自己走的，不是活给别人看的。因为害怕他人的眼光而不能面对自己人生的困难，是一件很傻的事，别人不会为你的人生负责。The roadof life is to walk by yourself, not to live in others' eyes. It would be quitefoolish to fail in facing the difficulties in one's own life for fear ofothers' opinion. In fact, no one but yourself is responsible for your own life.

Envy, jealousy, hatred Delusion breeds jealousy. To take others'gain as one's own loss, to separate, and to contrast, all these lead todepression and hatred. While in fact, one doesn't have to lose anything even ifothers may gain. Everyone lives his separate life. There is absolutely no needto compare, nor is it possible. Unfortunately, one imagines a concept andattaches to it. Thus, one's mind is churned upside down.Due to our obsession with an ego, it ishard for us to be honestly happy for others. Our narrow-mindedness separates usfrom those around us, drowning us in the games of win and loss, victory anddefeat which are outward, temporal, unreal.Only through aiming high and thinking bigcan we surpass confinements to our mind and see through the illusionarycomparisons made against others.羡慕嫉妒恨 嫉妒心建立在妄想的基础上，将他人之得当做自己之失，在内心妄加分别、比较，而产生失落与嗔心。其实，别人拥有了，自己并没有失去什么；每个人都有各自的人生，根本不需要比较，也无法比较，而自己却在心中假设一个概念并去执着，故而产生高下不平之心。难以真诚随喜他人的成就，是因为对自我的执着让我们的内心狭小而封闭，把自己与身边的人事物对立起来，沉溺于外在的、暂时的、不真实的输与赢、胜与败之中。唯有建立起更远大的目标，放宽心胸格局，才能超越这些渺小的境界，超越内心虚妄的比较分别。

A soft and open heartTo stick to our own ideas does notnecessarily mean to shun others' opinions. If we are down because of our thoughtsnot being accepted by others, what we really have in mind is only our feelings.We are unable to see the good intention of others not to say to understand andthank them.At that point, our heart is closed and weare stubborn. This is what is meant by obsession. We don't need to take other'sopinion all the time. However, we do need a soft and open heart. We must becapable of understanding and accepting others.Everyone has his angle. What is lacking isto think in others' shoes and to find out the reasons behind all differences,instead of labeling others as black or white. If we can follow this advice, wemay avoid of being annoyed by others, even if in the end we still believe ourideas may work better.In our everyday life, things may be done indifferent ways. All roads lead to Rome. The problem is that we just can't letgo of our own ideas.柔软而开放的心 坚持自己的意见，不一定要排斥他人的善意。当我们因为自己的想法没有得到实现而沮丧时，心中只有自己的感受，看不到他人的心意，更无法理解和感恩，此时内心是封闭而执拗的，这就是执著。不是说事事都一定要听他人的，而是我们要有一个柔软而开放的心态，要有能力去理解和接受别人。各有各的角度，多去理解对方的想法以及背后的缘由，不要仅对一个观点下“非黑即白”的论断。若能这样做，即使最后认为还是自己的想法更妥当一些，内心也不会对他人起烦恼了。现实生活中，很多事情用不同的方法都能做，条条大路通罗马，只是人放不下自己的见解罢了。

A positive and happy mindAdjustments should be made when work piles up, but most importantly,we should adjust our mindset of resentment. Our mind is like food, essential tothe body. A positive and happy mind can be a source of energy, while a negativeand resentful mind will poison us like food that has gone bad. Every occupationhas its significance and worth. Such is the main purpose of our work. Thingslike getting plenty of rest or earning a fair amount of money only come second. Many people nowadays are getting less and less happy by assessing work throughthe criteria of the latter, and forgetting what's most important. Those wholove what they do and gain a sense of accomplishment from work, all put theformer first. The significance and worth of our work is closely linked withthat of our life. The value of our lives is all created through our work. Seeingwork as an enemy is in fact negating and lowering the value of our lives, whichwill take away one's enjoyment and sense of purpose in living.欢喜心繁忙的工作需要适当调节，但最重要的是，要改变自己这种厌恶的心态。心念也是身体的重要“食物”，积极欢喜的心，能给身体提供能量；消极和充满反感的心，却犹如败坏的食物，会损害身体的健康。任何一个职业，都有它的意义和价值，这才是我们工作的最主要目的，其次才是休息时间够不够、赚钱多不多等。现在很多人却都是把后者当成了自己工作的主要衡量指标，却忘记了最关键的部分，所以活得越来越不快乐。每一个热爱工作、能够从工作中获取成就感的人，都是真正把前者放在第一位。工作的意义和价值，与我们生命的意义和价值紧密相关，每个人的人生价值都是通过自己的工作创造的。如果把工作当做对立面，其实就是在否定和削弱自己的人生价值，人也就活得很没有味道、没有乐趣。

Wishingfor nothingTo wish for nothing is still a wish.It is a wish for liberated ease when alltightly entangled knots are cut off. Therefore, literally, it is not wishing fornothing. There still exists a wish, but fordifferent things. To desire for something does not mean goingupward.The desire for fame and vanity is exactlywhere one starts to degenerate. 无求无欲“无欲无求”者，所求的是放下羁绊的自在与洒脱，实际上并非完全无所求，只是所求的对象不同罢了；反过来说，“有欲有求”也不代表就是上进，对名利虚荣的追求，恰恰是一个人堕落的开始。

Who am I? The “self” is a concept created from ourdream-thinking, which means something permanent, autonomous and dominant. Wealways believe that there is an eternal, essential and absolute “self” havingcontrol over life. But Dharma teaches us, in reality,“non-self” isthe truth.“Non-self” does not mean the absence of “self”, but rather thenonexistence of a permanent one. The human body, emotions, thoughts, behaviorsand mind are constantly changing. Hence, there is no such “self” independent ofany kind of cause or condition, existing on its own.Nothing is excluded from forever changing. Everythingis a result of causes and conditions coming together, having no “own-being” ordominance. Understanding “non-self” means seeing through the illusions of theworld and letting go of all attachments to the external. Then, we will be ableto treat all beings, including ourselves, with more wisdom and compassion. 我是谁？ “我”，是世间人颠倒妄想中定义的一个概念，它包含的涵义是：恒常、独立、主宰，世人总认为有一个独立的、不变的、永远存在的“我”在支配着生命现象，而佛法告诉我们，事实的真相是“无我”。无我，不是没有这个我，而是没有一个实在不变的“我”。我们人的身体、感受、思想、行为、心都是在变化的，没有一个脱离因缘、独立存在而确定如此的“我”。万事万物都是永远在变化，诸多因缘和合而成的，无自性，无主宰。“诸法无我”是看破世间的假相，放下对外在境界的种种执着，从而更好地对待自他的生命。

Right and WrongMore often than not, when disputing on"rights and wrongs", we actually have been far removed from thethings in themselves, and fallen into a confused fighting of inner afflictions.As everyone has their own perspectives, the "fact" you see is notnecessarily the same as that your counterpart sees. If either side insist onthe counterpart accepting his own opinion, a dispute will arise. This is theroot of causing conflicts. What reallymakes us happy is not in "a statement" or "a lot of materialguarantee", which is merely an inherent thought of attachment. Conversely,all sufferings derive from the inner attachment, just as a verse says,"All sufferings arise from greed for one's own happiness." We have no dispute with others in that weknow fame and fortune are not perpetuate with a lot of negative effects.Sometimes we do seek them but stop half-way for the lack of strength in holdingon, especially after seeing those we consider inferior get fame and fortune, wetend to be indignant and arouse the doubt of our own actions. This illustratesthat we are not clearly aware of why we have "no dispute", and stillfind it good to obtain fame and fortune. Therefore, the priority is to locatethe clear aim of practice. 是与非很多时候，我们在争论“是非”的时候，其实已经远离了事情本身，而成为了烦恼的混战。每个人都有自己的角度，你所见的“事实”并不一定等于对方所见的“事实”，而双方都非要对方接受自己的看法，就是争论的根源。 真正能让我们快乐的不是“一个说法”或“更多物质保障”，这只是内心的执念；恰恰相反，所有的痛苦都来源于心中的执着，“诸苦由贪自乐起”。 不与人争，是因为知道名利不久住，还有很多负面作用。有时候我们这样做了一半却没有力量坚持下去，尤其是看到一些品行不如自己的人得到名利之后，内心常常气愤难平，对自己的行为产生怀疑，这说明我们还不确切知道自己为什么“不争”，心底里还是觉得名利是好的。所以，找到并明确宗旨是第一位的。

I can figure this outTo fear andworry about imaginary difficulties is nothing but your own illusions. Even ifnothing occurs, you might already be flooded by waves of pessimistic illusions.Those who’velost their mindfulness tend to think that “what if I cannot do it?” However,those with mindfulness believe that “I can try to figure this out.”For thosewithin your reach, just make efforts for it. For those beyond your capacity,you can sow the right seeds in the first place.Whatever theexternal circumstances, it is necessary to dwell your mind in the presentmoment rather than struggle with the past or fret over the future.Living in the present moment is to alive both inone’s body and mind, with no illusions nor worries or fear. In such a state,the mind does not wander about but concentrates and dwells at ease in thecurrent moment. With such a mind, one is aware of what he is doing right nowand what it has to do with his past and future.In contrast, the idea of Carpe Diem merely steals“living in the present moment” as an excuse for advocating hedonism anddisregarding the future.我可以去想办法 担心、害怕、各种困难，都是自己的妄想。事情还没有来，妄想悲观的风浪就已经把自己淹没了。失去正念的人总是想“我做不到，怎么办”，具足正念的人会想“我可以去想办法”，眼前能做的去做，眼前做不到的种因。无论外境发生什么，都把握好自己当下的心，不纠结过去，不忧虑未来。活在当下是指人身心合一，不妄想、不忧惧，心不到处乱跑，而能专注、安住，知道自己现在做的事情是什么，与自己的过去、未来有什么关系。那种及时行乐，不考虑未来的思想，只是借用“活在当下”为借口而已。

Generate theinner lightTounderstand all phenomena is to have knowledge; to know the principles behind thephenomena is to have wisdom. With both knowledge and wisdom, one can make sounddecisions when caught in difficult situations. Prajna is theinsight into emptiness. To learn the law of non-self and emptiness, one has to observeprecepts, to practice samadhi, and to reach prajna slowly. The Buddha practicesboth compassion and wisdom. He is compassionate but does not suffer as ordinarybeings do. His compassion, governed by the wisdom of prajna, is transparent andbright, without a trace of attachment or obsession, “like a lotus flower not weigheddown by water, like the sun and moon hang in the sky but not struck.”The Buddhasays, all beings have the inherent wisdom as the tathagata does. However, dueto delusion and obsession, they do not realize it. Human beings have both theseeds of virtue and the seeds of evil in their mind. They have both the Buddhanature and ignorance from beginningless time. For one aspect to prevail,outside environment is crucial. Therefore, surroundings are very important for ourspiritual growth. The process of Dharma practice is to generate our inner lightwith the help of the Three Jewels, the Good-Knowing Teacher, and a group ofvirtuous friends. When compassion and wisdom grow stronger and stronger,darkness and afflictions will be weaken little by little. 开发内心的光明智慧，明白一切事相叫做智，了解一切事理叫做慧。有了智慧，遇事就知道如何决断、选择。般若智慧，就是证得空性的智慧。要学习无我空性之理，持戒、修定，慢慢才能开慧。佛陀悲智双运，虽然大慈大悲，但不会像凡夫一样有痛苦。佛陀的慈悲在般若智慧的摄持下，是通透光明的，无丝毫粘滞、沉重，“犹如莲花不着水，亦如日月不住空”。佛陀说，一切众生皆具如来智慧德相，但因妄想执著不能证得。人的内心善恶的种子都有，既本具佛性，又有无始无明，哪一种力量占上风，关键在于外缘的影响，所以环境对我们来说尤其重要。修行就是让我们在外缘（三宝、善知识、善友团队）的帮助下逐步开发内心光明的过程，让内心慈悲、智慧的一面越来越强，黑暗、烦恼的一面越来越弱。

Thedouble-headed birdThere isa Buddhist story about a double-headed bird. The two heads compete against eachother for fruit. One head deliberately gives the poisonous fruit to the other, andboth heads die. In fact,the same is true of a society. Everyone coexists with others. To harm others isto harm oneself. To be the best is to compete with oneself, not with others. If you harborthe notion of competition anywhere you go and all the time, then you won’t haveany friends. People around you are all but opponents, pressing against you fromthe opposite side. Enlarge yourheart a little bit to hold your own success as well as others’ achievements.Multitudes of people live on the earth, coexisting and interconnected. “I” amnot alone. 双头鸟佛教中有一个双头鸟的故事，两个头彼此争夺果实，一个头故意把毒果给另一个头吃，结果两个头都死了。其实一个社会也是如此，人人都是相依共存的，伤害别人就是伤害自己。做到最好，是要自己跟自己比，不是跟别人比。如果随时随地心存竞争之念，周围的人就都成为了对手、对立面，就没有朋友了。把心放大一点，不仅装得下自己的成功，也能装得下别人的成绩。世上有许许多多的人，大家是共处的，彼此相连的，不是只有“我”存在。

Why are you so easily swayed by outside conditions? Our purity and kindness are the same as that of our good-knowing advisors. The only difference is the duration. Our moment of clarity of the mind is transient and can be easily wrapped up by outside conditions and afflictions. Whereas, our good-knowing advisors are capable of maintaining this complete kindness and purity all the time. To learn from our good-knowing advisors is to acquire this capability with which we may keep our mind in its purest state all the time so that we can keep on cultivating good habits without being hindered by the rising and ceasing of sensations. 为什么你总是很容易被外境改变？ 我们的清净、善良都跟善知识是无二无别的，所不同的是，人内心中的清明觉悟时间很短，很容易被外境改变，被烦恼覆盖；而善知识能够一直保持这种彻底的善良和清净。 向善知识学习，就是让我们拥有这种能力，能够一直保持内心最清净的状态。持续不断地修行，不要在意感觉的起伏、生灭。

Whom to compare with? What to compare with? Comparisons are not all wrong.The key is to compare what,And with what purpose.We should compare with the sages on virtue,wisdom,Vows and resolution.Thus, to have high esteem and hope for oneself,And to strive to emulate the sages,laying the foundation for the arising of wholesome dharmas. If we compare with others on fame and fortune,status, appearances, and entertainment,we will become either proud or humbled, and afflictions will follow,inviting shadows for a gloomy life. 和谁比，比什么？ 比较不一定都是错误的，关键看比较的是什么，目的何在。与圣贤比，比福德、智慧、愿力、意志，自期自尊，努力效仿，是善法生起之根本；与他人比，比名利、地位、形貌、享乐，或傲或卑，烦恼丛生，是人生黯淡之缘由。

Turn the mind to a new directionThe Buddha Dharma believes that “the mindis like a painter.” Everything in the world, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, areall drawn by our mind. Take for example the photo of our parents, it is nothingbut a piece of paper in others’ eyes. For us, however, it is a symbol of heart-warminglove. At the sight of it, a range of virtuous thoughts such as longing for them,repaying their kindness and shame for not being there for them, will arise to softenour heart, to give us more strength to forge ahead. The outside circumstances are reflectionsmirrored in our mind. One is apt to view what lies there in one’s mind. We seeindifference when our heart is icy; we see selfishness when our heart is shutfrom the outside world. Only when our heart is bright and generous, can we seethe warmth and hope of the outward circumstances. Therefore, do not repel the outside conditions,nor ourselves. All we need to do is to turn the mind to a new direction, toreflect upon the beauty. 把心转一个方向佛法说：“心如工画师”，世间的一切美丑善恶，都是我们的心描绘出来的。譬如父母的照片，于别人眼中，仅仅是一张纸而已；但在自己心中，却是充满着温暖和爱的象征，看到它，内心就会生起思念、报恩、惭愧……等种种善心，令心变得柔软，又能增强自己拼搏的动力。外境是我们的内心折射出来的影子，自己心中有什么，就容易看到什么。当我们的心冰凉时，看到一切都是冷漠的；当我们的心封闭时，看到一切都是自私的；当我们的心光明、宽厚时，才看得到外境的温暖和希望。不要排斥外境，也不要排斥自己，只要把心转一个方向，用心去观察美好。

Tranquility If your mind is agitated, afflictions are stirring up.Tranquility in the Buddhist context is achieved due to wisdom’s capacity to subdue afflictions. No outside changes can sway the mind. Massive power is hidden in such quietness. Humans are like this, easily swayed by conditions. It might be easy to remain calm and get along with the world wisely when one’s energy is sufficient. Otherwise, one world be tipped over easily and a tiny undertaking could be feared as a heavy burden. This must be the performance of an untrained mind. To practice the Dharma is to guide our mind to tranquility for a longer time, with more joy, and with more power. The basic way is to keep on practicing regularly. For example, read sutras or chant the names of Buddha every day, without interruption. This helps our mind to settle down. 寂静 心不能静，是烦恼尘埃泛起。佛法所说的寂静，是以智慧堪破烦恼，故不为境界所动，这种平静中蕴含着很大的力量。 人就是这样，状态总是起起伏伏的。心力高的时候，比较容易保持平静，为人处世也就比较有智慧；反之，心力低时内心就容易动荡，很小的事情都会变成沉重的负担。没有经过训练的心肯定会这样，而修行就是让我们内心更长时间地保持在平静的状态，更加喜乐，更加有力。最基本的一个方法就是保持定课，例如每天读经或念佛，持续不间断，这能帮助我们的心就能稳定下来。

The stuff of “I” is no good Some people are greedy for money, some for good reputation.The latter ones are chained to vanity, and not able to be at ease. Once we are aware of such a state,It will stop proliferating. Furthermore, we need to consider: There are one hundred of “I”s in one hundred people’s minds. The perfect images one tries to maintain never exist. When interacting with other people, we are often caught by a situation unconsciously.All people become vague background.“My impressions of them” turns into “what they think about me”. That is to say, most of our impressions of other people are related to “I”.“I” is the starting point of all thinking and all judgments. This is due to our timidity and lack of great aspiration. If we can let go too much attention to “I”, We may receive and evaluate incoming information more precisely, and to better shoulder our responsibilities and to benefit others. “我”可不是什么好东西 有的人贪利，有的人贪名，虚荣心重、爱面子，就是贪名的体现，它犹如一个沉重的枷锁，把我们锁住不得自在。当我们观察到这种心出现时，它就不会继续增盛； 进一步要去思维：一百个人心中有一百个“我”，其实自己想维护的这个“完美形象”根本就不存在。 我们在跟人相处的时候，不知不觉就会陷入一种状态：周围所有人都成了模糊的背景，对他们的印象都变成了“Ta是怎么看我的”，也就是说，我们对他人的大部分印象都跟“我”有关，所有思考、感受、判断等等的出发点都是围绕“我”的。这都是内心比较怯弱、发心不足的缘故。 如果我们能够放下对自我的在意，就能够更准确地接受外在的信息，更好地承担、利他。

Not talking about other’s faultWhen facing problems, most people would blame others for it right away,and seldom reflect on themselves,especially when the other person did do something wrong.Then, they will scold others with an afflicted mind, instead of considering how to change and improve the situation. The teaching of “do not talk about others’ fault” in Buddhismis aimed at solving this type of problem.When we see others’ fault,we should think of ways to help them correct their mistakesand face the outcomes in a positive manner. A saying goes like this:the best people are those with competence and no temper; the second-best are those with competence and temper; the third-best are those with no competence or temperand the worst are those with temper and no competence.The Buddhism idea of “not talking about others’ fault”is encouraging us to become the best.It does not mean turning a blind eye to faults,but rather having no afflictions after seeing them,and then,dealing with people and matters with a positive mind and behavior. 不说人过 大多数的人遇到事情时，都会第一时间把过错推到别人身上，很少去反省自己；尤其是对方的确有不当之处时，往往带着烦恼心去斥责，却不去考虑如何弥补、改善事情，佛教中“不说他人过”便是为了对治这一问题。当看到他人的过失时，应该想办法帮助他改正错误，并积极面对因此带来的境况。世间有句话说“一等人有本事没脾气；二等人有本事有脾气；三等人没本事没脾气；四等人没本事有脾气。”佛法讲“不说他人过”是鼓励大家成为“一等人”，不是对过失视而不见，而是看见了却不起烦恼，相反会以积极的心态和行为去面对人和事。

Happy and fearless We may feel extremely tired if we regard doing something as a task that has to be finished, or, if we do it in the hope of getting a good result. While dangling between gain and loss, our heart is greatly distracted. Only when we clearly understand the meaning of what we are doing instead of craving for a certain result, and only when we do it whole-heartedly, may we feel happy and fearless. Responsibility and capability are related. Great capability brings about more responsibility. On the other hand, greater responsibility pushes for more capability. Thus, it is good for both others and oneself. Do it with joy,with no complaints or regret. Enjoy it! 欢喜又无畏 一件事情，当作任务不得不去完成，就会觉得非常疲惫；或者为了追求好结果，而患得患失，心也会很烦躁。唯有当自己清楚地认识到这件事的意义，并不攀附某个结果，只是尽心尽力去做时，内心才会欢喜又无畏。 责任与能力是配套的，能力越大，责任越大；反过来，越大的责任，才能激发出越强的能力，这是自利利他一体的事。欢喜去做，无怨无悔，乐在其中。

A truly beneficial friendIn order to make a truly beneficial friend who dare to give you critical advice, one has to have a big heart. The law of related karma applies here, too. One need to put in great efforts to cultivate one’s own virtue, to aspire for virtuous friends, and to be modest and eager for learning. Then, gradually, virtuous friends would gather around you. On the contrary, if you are arrogant and always be little people around you, you won’t be able to recognize virtuous friends even if they stand right before your eyes. To cultivate for our spiritual growth, we need not just good friends but beneficial friends. A truly beneficial friend is someone who helps us with our spiritual growth instead of being a refuge of emotions and a listener of our painful stories. 真正的益友欲得忠言逆耳之益友，当有虚怀若谷之心胸，这也是业感缘起的道理。归根到底还是从自己身心上努力，发希求善士之愿，努力培养谦虚、好学之德，渐渐就能感召善友。反过来，若总是觉得身边的人都不如自己，贡高我慢，即使善友就在眼前也不认识。修行，要有“益友”而不仅是“好友”。真正的益友，是能够帮助自己成长的朋友，而不是一个情感的依赖处、烦恼的安慰者。

问：佛教承认风水吗？Is Fengshuirecognized in Buddhism? 答：风水勘探的是外在环境，佛法探究的是人的心境。佛法讲“依正不二”，依报（环境）随着正报（心境）转，福地福人居。一个人住在什么地方，是由自身福报决定的，而非风水决定福报，所以，勤积善业才是根本。The purpose ofFengshui is to explore the external environments, while Buddha Dharma is toprobe into the states of human minds. Buddhist teaching holds that relianceretribution and the retribution of body and mind are the dual aspects ofoneness. Reliance retribution (that is, environments) follows the retributionof body and mind (namely, the state of mind). Just as a saying goes that ablessed land is home to blessed people. One’s dwelling is determined by his ownmerits and virtues, not by Fengshui. Therefore, good karma is essential inmeritorious accumulation. 问：我家风水不好，觉得搬家工程太浩大，于是想靠修心转风水，后来发现修心比搬家难度大多了，相比还是搬家吧。I felt theFengshui of my home no good, but found it too troublesome to move. So, Ithought of cultivating my mind to change my Fengshui. Later on, I found it muchmore difficult than moving. Finally, I thought it better to move. 答：心不改变，业不改变，命就不能改变。譬如脸上有黑点，不去洗脸，只换镜子，换再多镜子结果都一样。如果自己心存善念、正念，自然能够感得好的“风水”；反之若心存恶念、邪念，即使已得好的“风水”也会被改变。Notransformation of one’s mind, no change of his karma, let alone his destiny.Take black spots on one’s face for example, if one only changes mirrors butnever washes his face, a great number of mirrors make no difference. Keepinggood thoughts and right mindfulness, one will naturally feel good about hisgeomancy. Conversely, with evil thoughts and bad intentions, even good Fengshuithat has been obtained will deteriorate.

问：前生、后世、因果，看不见摸不着，也记不住，怎么让人深信呢？As one’s past lifetimes, afterlife and the law of cause and effect areinvisible, neither to be touched nor remembered, how could one be convinced oftheir existence? 答：佛法大海，信为能入，智为能度。不能深信是因为智慧不够。刚开始不能深信，也不必故意排斥、断然否定，抱着多闻阙疑的态度就好。Faith can help one enter into the sea of Buddha Dharma, and wisdom can take himacross it. Failure in faith is due to lack of wisdom. If not being convinced ofthe Dharma at first, there is no need to deliberately exclude or categoricallydeny it, just keeping well-informed and leaving the question open. 若肯认真思考一下，就可以知道，自己所“相信”的事情，有几件是亲眼看到、亲身体验的？佛陀是历史上真实存在的人，佛经是辗转几千年流传下来的典籍，几千年来更有许许多多人因为修行而获得了证悟、走向了解脱，史籍中有关高僧大德的记录比比皆是，这些都是确凿无疑的。If you are willing to think seriously about it, you may find out that what you“believed” was seldom what you saw and experienced by your own. The Buddha wasa real person in history, and Buddhist scriptures have been handed down asclassics over thousands of years. Moreover, a lot of people have achievedenlightenment and liberation in practice on the basis of Buddhist teaching overthousands of years, and historical records about the cultivation of eminentmonks and venerable masters can be found here and there. All of these areunquestionable.随着学习的深入，不断修证，当自己真正实证的那一天，就能彻底了无疑惑。如近代高僧太虚大师曾有三次开悟的经历，最后一次获得“不昧因果”的体验，从此对佛教所说因果的道理“朗然玄悟”。The day when one actually accomplishes enlightenment in person with deep studyand constant practice of the Dharma, he will be completely free from doubts.For example, Master Taixu, a modern eminent monk, achieved three awakenings,the final one of which enabled him to get the experience of Clear Awareness ofKarmic Effects, thus luminously and profoundly understanding the law of causeand effect in Buddhism.