Robot Monk Xian'er

A Humble HeartWe often feel good about ourselves. We always believe we are in the right and others in the wrong. However, after one hour, we may feel, well, maybe we are not so right after all. After one, two,or three years, we may even think how naïve we were to ever have thought that way. After five, ten, or twenty years, greater changes will come. This means the way we look at things can always be improved, not as flawless as we would like to believe.  However, for as long as possible, we tend to live in our own consciousness, so hard to reflect upon whether we are right or wrong. To move forward on the path of life, we need people with rich experience to guide us and help us. 一颗谦虚的心//忠言逆耳我们常常自以为是，觉得自己的想法是对的，别人的想法不如自己。可是过了一个小时以后，可能觉得自己的想法也是有问题的。 过了一年、两年、三年以后，甚至会觉得自己当时的想法很幼稚。过了五年、十年、二十年以后，想法变化就更大了。这都说明，我们对事情的认识是有很大提升空间的，并不像自己以为的那样正确无误。 长期以来，我们总是活在自我意识当中，不容易认识自己的对和错，需要具有丰富人生经验的人指导我们、帮助我们，才能走好人生的每一步。 接受他人的指导，最重要的前提是我们有一颗谦虚的心。如果我们老是自以为是，就不容易接受别人的经验和帮助。 我们往往只听自己愿意听的、喜欢听的话，不喜欢、

A Humble HeartWe often feel good about ourselves. We always believe we are in the right and others in the wrong. However, after one hour, we may feel, well, maybe we are not so right after all. After one, two,or three years, we may even think how naïve we were to ever have thought that way. After five, ten, or twenty years, greater changes will come. This means the way we look at things can always be improved, not as flawless as we would like to believe.  However, for as long as possible, we tend to live in our own consciousness, so hard to reflect upon whether we are right or wrong. To move forward on the path of life, we need people with rich experience to guide us and help us. 一颗谦虚的心//忠言逆耳我们常常自以为是，觉得自己的想法是对的，别人的想法不如自己。可是过了一个小时以后，可能觉得自己的想法也是有问题的。 过了一年、两年、三年以后，甚至会觉得自己当时的想法很幼稚。过了五年、十年、二十年以后，想法变化就更大了。这都说明，我们对事情的认识是有很大提升空间的，并不像自己以为的那样正确无误。 长期以来，我们总是活在自我意识当中，不容易认识自己的对和错，需要具有丰富人生经验的人指导我们、帮助我们，才能走好人生的每一步。 接受他人的指导，最重要的前提是我们有一颗谦虚的心。如果我们老是自以为是，就不容易接受别人的经验和帮助。 我们往往只听自己愿意听的、喜欢听的话，不喜欢、

A clear conscienceSometimes the truth differs from what people believe to be true. Most people base their opinions on their impressions of things rather than on facts. Therefore, we are actually living in our psychological cognition of each other. Once we decide someone is good, then he is good no matter what. Once we believe someone is good, we can always find his faults. To be misunderstood means the other person does not have enough confidence in us. There is not much use to explain if that is the case. As is well said, for those who trust you, you don’t need to explain to earn their trust. For those who do not trust you, no matter how much you explain, they just don’t trust you. The best way is not to explain.Instead, we need to cultivate our virtues and boost people’s confidence in us.  We are not what others say we are. If we do not expect positive judgement from others, we won’t get hurt by their negative judgement. No matter how we try, it is impossible to make all people happy. It is pointl

What are you chasing//Not affected by eight desires Are we pursuing what we really want? We will restore strength if we take a break to ponderinstead of keep rushing along. Serenity is strength. With this strength we will not be easily swayed by the “five desires and eight winds” for which we do not really desire.When our heart is anchored to supramundane ideals We may obtain real serenity and profound happiness. 你在追逐什么？//八风不动 我们追求的真的是自己想要的吗？不要一直奔跑追逐，停下来静静思考，才能让心恢复力量。宁静是一种力量。不被五欲八风扰动，因为“志不在此”，当我们内心有了超越世俗的理想，心有所止时，就能够获得真正的宁静与深沉的幸福。 

The most precious heart// giving  Donation is to tame one's stinginess, to cultivate one’s compassion and to broaden the capacity of one's heart. There are three kinds of giving: the one offortune, the one of courage and the one of Buddha Dharma. It is not merely the rich who enjoy the right to give; rather the genuine rarity is a heart full of justice, of the willingness to share and the ability to love.It is a kind of giving when preparing clean water to feed birds in torrid summer. Offering seats to those in need on the busis also a kind of giving.When witnessing others doing good, words of compliments or appreciative smiles are givings as well.  真正珍贵的心//布施 布施是为了降伏自己的贪吝之心，培养自己的慈悲心，扩大自己的心量。布施分为三种：财布施，无畏布施，法布施，并非只有富人才可以布施，真正珍贵的是一颗平等的、分享的、充满爱的心。天气炎热时，给小鸟准备一些干净的水是布施；在公交车上给需要帮助的人让座也是布施；看到别人行善，送上一句鼓励的话或一个赞赏的微笑也是布施。

走出迷茫如果道路正确却仍然感到迷茫，就是因为对自己的能力失去了信心，觉得很多事自己做不到，所以不知所措。这时不要陷入沮丧的情绪中，相反应该高兴，因为已经摸到了自己能力的瓶颈，就意味着自己提升的机会到了。 多虚心请教他人，调整自己的原有思路，脚踏实地去尝试、去改变，慢慢就能走出困境。 Out of bewilderment    If the way is all right yet you are still confused, it is most probably due to your disbelief of your abilities and a kind of feeling that most things are out of reach. Instead of being trapped in depression, one should be delighted to find out the bottle-neck of one’s abilities, also, the opportunity to improve oneself.   To learn from others humbly,To adjust the original way of thinking, To come down to earth, to try, and to change.Little by little, one will walk out of the bewilderment.

LeisureIn Buddhist terminology, “leisure” refers specifically to the human body capable of practicing the Dharma. Among the six realms of existence, only the human realm is best suited to practice Buddhism.And only by the practice through human body, can we have the chance of being liberated and reaching Buddhahood. However, life is impermanent. Once the human body is lost, it will be extremely hard to get back.Therefore, it is a great pity to waste life! In our daily life, being able to eat, to breathe, to walk, to move and to act, is not an easy thing. Only when we are caught by impermanence, shall we realize how precious leisure is.  Human life is priceless. Many people are still struggling under the shadow of war, hunger,disease, even the threat of death. Think about the treasure we are having now. How lucky!   暇满人身 佛教中所说的“暇满人身”难得，特指能够修行佛法的人身。六道轮回中，只有人道最适合修行佛法，也只有借助人身的修行，才能有解脱、成佛的机会。而生命无常，一旦失去人身很难再得到，故浪费生命极为可惜！ 在我们日常生活当中，能够吃饭，能够呼吸，能够走路，能够行动，能够做事，这就是暇满，这都是很不简单的事情。你只有

Impermanence Impermanence does not deny the value and significance of working for an aim. It encourages us to let go our attachment to anything.For those we love, we do not get greedy;and for those we do not appreciate, no hatred will arise. We cherish what we have and flow with conditions. Meanwhile, impermanence represents change.Therefore, we should put in joyous effort and should be hopeful, always.   无常 不是要让我们否定追求的价值和意义，而是要让我们超越对任何事物的执著。对于喜爱的事物不贪恋，对于不喜欢的事物不起嗔恨，用随缘、珍惜的心态面对生活。另一方面，无常代表了改变，所以我们应该积极努力，永怀希望。 

A confident person No one is perfect. Yet, a person of low self-esteemholds on to imperfections, covering everything else with an enlarged version ofthese imperfections, and negate any possibilities for the future. Filled in his mind are the echoes of “I can’t”, “I would ruin it”.One has to be clear that all these perceptions are based on illusions. They are nothing but labels one strikes on oneself. This is like observing the world through colored lens, not able to see reality. Whenever this intention surges up, do not follow it. Instead, one needs to stop to watch it, and to reveal its illusionary nature calmly.To cherish what one already has and to be comfortable with what fits one, this is good enough. A confident person doesn’t have to be better than others in everything. Instead, he knows himself and accepts himself accordingly.One would be in fear of shadows if one’s inner sunlight has not shone forth. Therefore, one is encouraged to initiate a good heart, to do good deeds, to understand and care about

To be kind to oneselfTo be kind to one’s parents is to be kind to oneself. To be unfilial to one’s parents is to torture oneself. This is the meaning of family ethics and morality. Buddhism believes in cause and effect.If one is unfilial to one’s parents, then one’s children see that you are unfilial to your parents, they will do the same to you in the future.                                                                                   We should always be grateful for our parents’ kindness. Cherish the idea of repaying their kindness and love our parents the same as we love our children. This is the foundat

Thosewho know how to communicateCommunication is to shorten the cognitiondistances between the other person and “I”, rather than to impose our ownopinions on others and replace his minds forcibly. Everyone has his ownopinion. Through communication we know about otherperson’s views and reasons. On the other hand, others also know our thought. Communication has no prerequisites and nostipulations. It is equal, needed and necessary. When interacting with otherpeople, if we don't know how to communicate, many good ideas cannot becomprehended by others. And it's also hard for us to understand exactly whatother people mean, which will lead to misunderstandings between each other, andobstacles can also arise in the heart. Communication is the ability to listen andspeak. The first thing is to learn to listen. Let go of all our preconceivedideas and just listen. If we don’t understand, ask more about it. We shouldnever guess casually. Never think our thoughts must be right. The aim ofspeaking is to let other

Thestarting point of goodnessModern people tend to be afraid of exposingtheir problems, not brave enough to face their own shortcomings. In fact, noone is perfect. To face our shortcomings and correct them is the way to growup. It is not only children who need to rectify their mistakes. Adults areencouraged to do so, too. To feel ashamed is not to lose one’s confidence. Lowself-esteem is bad but shame is good. The former discourages us from pushingforward while the latter helps us purify our mind and encourage us to makeprogress. To have a sense of shame is to be able to reflect, to get enlightenedand to be a better person. Therefore, those who have lost the ability to feelashamed is the most piteous. The starting point of goodness lies in that momentof shame we feel. Real practices begin once we are aware of our afflictions. 善的起点现代人大多害怕暴露自己的问题，也害怕面对自己的不足，其实每个人肯定都是有缺点的，正视它、改正它，是每个人都必经的过程，也是生命的成长。不是只有小孩才需要改错，大人同样如此。惭愧不等于不自信。自卑是一种恶法，惭愧是一种善法，前者能让我们裹足不前，后者却能帮助我们净化身心、积极向上。懂得惭愧，才能反省、觉悟、进步，一个失去惭愧心的人是最可怕的，也是最可悲的

PuzzlesThe opportunity is what we call “dependentorigination” in Buddhism. Normally, we could accomplish one task only when allits direct causes and supporting actions take effect harmoniously. Just like ina puzzle, every piece is an indispensable part to make the game a success. If all the other pieces have been put intheir right places, then the only one missing part is considered as“opportunity”. When this last part is ready, we could win the game. It seemsthat this last part is especially important and maybe outweighs all the otherparts. But actually its success depends on whether other parts are ready ornot. This is why we say “the opportunity always favors a prepared person”.On the other hand, we could easily feelconfused while trying to put together whole picture. After one to two pieces,we may find it hard to define the next coming part. Is it the right one? Or isit the wrong one? The puzzle in real life is different from the puzzle in agame. Its direct causes and supporting actions are not well-prepa

Orchid and peonyAn orchid needn’t be jealous of a peony,just like the stars never envy the moon.Everyone has different karma, fate, and position, also gets his contribution, mission and path individually. No two persons coincide completely with each other, so we don’t need to judge and compare with a common standard. Jealousy can bring us nothing belonging to others, and all we can do is to cherish what we have. When consuming time and energy in envying others, we ignore our own causes, and lose our original happiness within. So, we need to find beauty and hope from our own lives. The more chaotic it appears outside, the more we need to keep calm and optimistic inside. Jealousy originates from our narrow mind and conflicts with others. We should often rejoice others’ wholesome deeds and make dedications of our merits so as to broaden our mind.Don’t think about what we lack all the time, instead, think of what we already have. Wake up with an aspiration every day, and fall asleep with gratitude every

Make money wiselyAs to wealth, we need firstly to figure out the aims for making money, the relationships among humans, between humans and society. Then it follows how to correctly obtain and wisely use money.Otherwise, men will only become a tool for making money. The most fundamental aim of making money is to survive, to support the family. However, in modern society, many people attach the desire for honor, security, freedom and happiness etc. to wealth, having which is regarded as having everything and the absence of which is equaled to the absence all of these. After careful consideration, we may findthat all these are directed to the mind, quite different from wealth itself.Wealth means nothing to a dark and empty mind; while one is possible to own allthese if one’s mind is bright and rich, even when one has to live a simple life with scanty wealth. Secondly, to survive in the society, one relies not on money but on the direct or indirect labor and creation of countless people. Money is but a

Generate the inner lightPessimists see obstacles everywhere;Optimists see opportunities in all respects.Everyone's life has its ups and downs.There are joys and sorrows, and successes and failures. It depends on how we perceive it.  All difficulties are here to mold you. If you are always in favorable circumstances, you will instead be degenerated.Growing up is a bitter sweet journey, therefore, pains are inevitable.  Do not be afraid and run away from failure,instead, be grateful and face it.The root of this courage lies in your confidence, will and aspiration. Only with an aspirational mind, can we go beyond our current state and better ourselves. Meanwhile, do not drag your past into your current life. Let go of the illusions and fears of being hurt. See yourself and your life with a brand-new perspective.Learn more from wholesome deeds to cultivate the inner confidence and brightness. 你的心亮了吗？//挫折悲观的人，看到处处是墙；乐观的人，看到处处是路。每个人的人生都有顺有逆，有苦有乐，有成有败，就看我们怎么去认识。 所有的困难都是用来磨练自己的。一直在顺境中，人反而会下堕；

A kind of happiness that is beyond wordsThe bigger “self” we cherish in our heart, the narrower our minds are, and the more we suffer. In the worldly norm, resources are limited. Most of the time, self-fulfillment and altruism cannot be achieved simultaneously; While in the Buddhist norm, the world does not go around that way. According to the Dharma,self- fulfillment is realized only through practicing altruism.For instance, fortune is gained through giving, longevity through releasing lives, and nobility through venerating others. 有种快乐无以言喻//利他心里装着的“自己”越大，心眼就越小，苦恼也就越多。以世间法的标准，资源是有限的，很多时候利己就无法利他；以佛法的标准则不然，佛法说，只有去利他，才是利己。 譬如布施得财富，放生得长寿，敬人得高贵。佛法是以无限生命的眼光来看待事情的，而非当下一时一事。 有智慧地去认识自利与利他的关系，就不会觉得矛盾。为他人付出时，表面上看起来损害了自己一时的利益，其实是在为未来种因、“储蓄”福报。 认清了这个道理，当下行善就会更加安心、笃定、欢喜。试着真正用心去关怀他人，无所求地付出，能感受到远远超过“满足自我”所带来的快乐，这种快乐无以言喻。 

True happinessFree our mind from conflicts,clear our mouth of complaints, be tolerant, forgiving and grateful—such is being blessed. Help others more often,be good to our parents, give more to those in need and aspire to help all sentient beings. Take on more responsibilities and do more for people, without any complaints or arrogance. Be happy for the achievement of others as if it is our own; be willing to share whatever we have with others. The happiness of a Buddhist comes from the peaceful feeling of having a united body and soul, the fulfillment of working hard and being courageous to do good, the freedom of not chasing after the external, the softness of being compassionate towards all beings, the easiness from having the right view on impermanence, and the hope of bringing out the light in one’s heart. Such is true happiness.真正的幸福心中没有是非，口中没有抱怨，宽容大度，常怀感恩，这就是有福。多助他人，孝敬父母，布施贫穷，发广大心，多为大众承担、付出，毫无怨言和傲慢；看到别人的成就，就好像自己获得了一样欢喜；自己有的东西，都乐意分享给别人。

The hardship of spiritual cultivationWe always want more. When we don’t have it,we want to obtain it. Once it is obtained, we want more. We are always picky about the surroundings, wishing that everything would go the way we like.Seldom do we bother to reflect on how we act and how we may do it better. Thus,not happy with the present moment, our mind wanders around. Not guided by the right view, we are restless and we suffer. Life, which comes at the call of karma and is carried on passively, is not easy. Whatever we do we have to strive for it and endure the relevant hardship. Students have to work hard for their study;entrepreneurs have to work hard to start a business; farmers have to work hard in their field. It is the same with the practice of Dharma. We have to meet the challenges. Is there a thing that we can engage in with endless joy, ease and satisfaction? The answer may be yes, but only in our imaginations. We mustn’t live for transient pleasure,which only brings us more and more pain. If

The goodness in DharmaThe word Goodness originates from Book of Rites: Notes of Learning, meaning talented and virtuous scholars, but now it means pure-hearted and good-natured. Man’s nature at birth is good. Due to our obsession and discrimination, all kinds of vexations pop up, covering our inherent goodness. The Buddha Dharma is for the eradication of all vexations and for the enlightenment of human’s intrinsic good nature. As a result, we can become better persons. The Goodness upheld in the Buddha Dharma covers our body, speech and mind. The goodness of our body includes to free captive animals and to protect lives; never resent, injure, or even vex others;never take things from others without permission; never seek for trifling advantages. Instead, give those in need a helping hand ungrudgingly；shun away from superstition;observe regulations and keep guard of a pure mind. As for the goodness of speech, be honest and never lie. Often praise and appreciate others with caring words. Never gossip about