Robot Monk Xian'er

A monster-reflecting mirrorWe may feel nothing about encountering obstacles in doing a task that is in the charge of other people, but we may become as restless as ants on a hot pan when doing it under our own charge,afraid of being teased for screwing it up. We may feel wronged or painful while being misunderstood in doing a good deed; and lonely or envious when nobody pays attention to ourselves. All of these are the ghost features of seeking after fame and fortune. Sense objects are exactly the monster-revealing mirrors. Worry about not doing well can not make things better, and thus we shall think positively about how to do it.  In handling affairs, we are primarily required to have confidence based on the principle of "strategically dispising the enemy", then deliberate on the details according to the principle of"tactically attaching importance to the enemy". If misusing these two principles, we'll get bogged down in delusion and anxiety, losing the mentaland physical efforts to

Yesterday and today Experiences from the past can give us knowledge;Plans for the future can provide us with direction.It is necessary to give attention to both,as we all have end of the year performance reviews,new year resolutions, etc. Satisfaction from bygone achievementsor frustration caused by past failuresis called clinging;disappointment and remorse due to unachieved future plansis also called clinging. Deal with whatever comes, and let go of whatever’s gone.One would be easily caught up in emotions and afflictionsby not seeing the rise and fall of causes and conditions for what they are,and hoping in vain that things would stand still from a certain moment.Instead,we should learn from the past,let everything that once happened nourish us,by reflecting on personal growth, doing good and making friends,being grateful and so on.Such will create a better future. When setting goals for the future,the most important thing is to plan what should be done as a “cause”,not what should be ga

To be a mature person in character // not so perfect Be tolerant of one’s own and others' faults, rather than striving for perfection;Know humility and give in, Instead of being competitive all the time;Always be grateful for the efforts and kindness of others, Instead of complaining and criticizing;Know where one wants to goAnd keep working hard toward that direction;Cultivate a mind of respect and awe for others---All these are the qualities that a mature person should possess.  做个品性成熟的人吧！//物忌全胜 懂得包容自己和他人的过失，而不是事事追求完美；懂得谦让和低头，而不是时时争强好胜；能够看到他人的付出和恩德，常有感恩之心，而不是充满抱怨和批评；知道自己要走的路并能够持之以恒地努力；有敬畏之心。这是一个品性成熟的人应该具有的特质。

The bright sideWe should not harbor the thought of excluding others because each person around is related to us closely. To exclude others is to exclude ourselves by robbing ourselves the space of life. In the society,all sorts of problems, misunderstandings, conflicts and obstacles would spring up in our relations with others. It is easy for exclusion and repulsion to breed and then deteriorate into fights. All sorts of problems start from mutual exclusion in people’s mind.  When excluding others, we are the first to taste the bitterness of suffering. No matter it is people we are excluding or things we are shunning away or mind we are repulsing, what we get in return are also what we offer, like force and counter-acting force. We should not be too obsessed with our own opinions even less to take ours as the only correct ones and exclude others’. A lot of conflicts and grudges are bred this way.  Instead, we need to stop taking the opposite side. We need to be inclusive and to purify. Start from op

Tame oneselfIf the relationship between children and parents is not good, it indicates that both sides have room for improvement. Parents don’t know how to raise their children and children do not know how to love their parents. Bad relationship is only the fruition. The best remedy is for both sides to change and to grow up together. However, to initiate this step,both parents and children need to start from themselves. Then, how? Firstly, put aside the other side's fault. Seriously reflect and admit one’s own mistakes, and work hard to correct them. When encountering with conflict, think more from the other one’s shoes and ponder “why did he/she do this? What did she/he need?” instead of focusing on our own needs and excuses.  People grow up from different backgrounds, with different education and experience, therefore, they differ in their view of life, value system, temperament and personality etc. It is hard to conform with others or push others to fit our own ideals. Whoever insists will suffe

Not understood by othersIf we keep aloof from others, or observe others from the edge of the world, we would tend to think that no one understands us and it is impossble for us to change others either. Consequently, we begin to escape from havingany thing to do with the world, and loneliness creeps in. If you suffer from this, read on to see how the good-knowing advisors act. Instead of keeping aloof and repelling others, the good-knowing advisors practice the four princples of caring people, namely, giving, loving words, beneficial conduct and working together. They recogonize the kindness from others, keep it in their mind, and strive to repay this kindness. They stay close with ordinary people, work with them, and build up connections with them. They put their ego aside and carry out altruistic acts with great compassion. When we do beneficial deeds for others, a good karma will be created.Thus the good-knowing advisors try their best to practice the four principles of caring people, to bring the

Long-lasting fortune Observe closely the history of individuals, families, corporates and even countries, you will find they are all caught in the cycle of rise and fall. The stronger ones decline gradually; while the weaker ones become powerful little by little. When the golden peak is reached, all sorts of extravagant, dissipated and chaotic phenomena will emerge and lead to the final decline.  All the while, the ups and downs of external world do not go with what one feels inside. Why is that? It takes time for the fruition of the causes and conditions. There is a time difference between what you have done and its consequences. The good karma you have planted with a pure heart does not present a good fruit immediately. Unfortunately,when the fruit of fortune and happiness is ripe, one may already head for a way down the hill and plant bad seeds from which bitter fruit would ripe later.  If one does not believe in the law of causality and lacks long-term wisdom, one will be fooled by temporary rew

How to deal with people who hurt you? -Forbearance  Forbearance means to protect one's mindAnd to keep the evil thoughts from arising.What we shall endure is not things or people from the outside, But afflictions from within.Mind of hatred is not a strong one, And forbearance is not surrender either.Deal with those people who hurt us before with forgiveness, tolerance and love, While harboring neither resentments nor hatreds in our mind.In this way the previous evil karma would be stopped, and there are no cycles of vengeance anymore. 怎么面对伤害过自己的人? -忍辱 忍辱就是自护其心，不令起恶。忍辱的对象并不是外在的人和事，而是自己内心的烦恼。嗔心不等于坚强，忍辱也不等于退缩。用原谅、宽容和爱来面对伤害过自己的人，内心不要有怨、有恨，往昔恶业便止于此，不再冤冤相报。

Heart Transformation If we have ever hurt others by what we say, we need to work on saying more words of kindness, words that are encouraging, comforting, and inspiring.Guided by the right view, we need to observe and reflect upon ourselves.Noticing our tendency of belittling others, we immediately remind ourselves that it is not right. When we are about to say hurtful words, we ought to control ourselves and say words of encouragement and praise.  Try to praise others, with sincerity instead of empty and perfunctory words. We need to find out others’ strong points and deeds worthyof praise. Try to figure out three for each and say them out loud. For ourselves, this is a process of heart transformation, a practice of spiritual cultivation. 转心的过程曾经造过口业，以后就要多用语言去说善良的话，给人安慰、给人勇气、启发智慧的话。内心里要有正见做主，用正知见去观察、对照自己的身心。譬如，发现自己起了高己卑人之念，立即反省不该如此。原本可能要说出伤人的话，就控制自己不要这样说，换为鼓励、赞美的话。试着去夸奖对方——当然是真诚的赞美，而非空洞敷衍的语言。这就需要首先去观察对方到底有什么优点，做过什么值得夸奖的事。找出对方的三个优点，三件好事，然后真诚地说出来，这对自己就是一个转心的过程，一个修行的过程。

Guiding Yourself with the Future If everything goes well, right up one’s alley,one is inclined to stand still and confine himself to where he is.Only by challenging himself, can a man make progress. So, don’t set limit on yourself,then you’ll find your way unlimited. If we climb a mountain but give it up halfway,nothing will be changed;Only when we push ourselves forward against the pressure, and hold on straight to the end,can we see the bright moon as dark clouds clear up. Do not define yourself as “incapable”,otherwise, even a man of great capability will  turn out to be incapable;Instead, keep thinking that “I can make it”,then what seemed impossible turns out to be absolutely possible. Please make a vow and ask yourself “What do I want?”Then trace gradually backward to the very start:To fulfill this vow, what should I do now?That is, do not confine yourself to the past.Guide yourself with the future. 用未来引领自己       样样如意、得心应手，人就容易故步自封，把自己限制住了。要做有挑

Dead log and stubborn stone Not to do evil is called to observe precepts.To do good is also called to observe precepts.Not to do what should be done is called the violation of precepts. He who observes clean precepts enjoys free control of one’s mind, not to be overwhelmed by bad karma or afflictions. Instead,he is soft and clear-minded, conscious of the right view, comfortable both in body and mind. He is often filled with joy and happiness, and great compassion for others. While faced with situations, he is resolute and fearless, engaging in good with lasting courage and vigor. Thus, he is far from being a dead log or a stubborn stone, as people usually imagine.   枯木顽石 恶的事情不做叫持戒，好的事情必须要做也叫持戒，该做的事情不做也是犯戒。清净持戒的人，能够自如控制自己的心，不为恶业烦恼所胜，清凉柔软、正念分明、身心泰然，于己，时时充满喜乐；于人，念念饱含慈悲，遇事果敢刚绝，行善勇猛持久，绝非世人想象中如枯木顽石。

The right way to thinkIt is quite often for people to blame external factors when things go ugly, but to praise themselves when things carry on beautifully. This is silly, and it is just this kind of upside-down thinking that causes many troubles and sorrows. Instead, the wise way is to face the difficult situation and reflect upon yourself deeply to find a way out. When you happen to make a great achievement in life, don’t forget the help and hard work from others. Be grateful and make a vow to repay their kindness. This is the right way to think. 正确的思维模式 我们很容易在出问题时把原因归于外在的某个缘，在有成绩时把原因归于自己，恰恰是颠倒思维，会令烦恼越多、痛苦越深。遇到问题时，要多反思自己，在自己身上找解决问题的出路；有了成绩时，要认识到他人的帮助和功劳，生起感激、回报的心来，这样才是正确的思维模式。

 Real HelpAt the sight of others' faults, it is out of loving-kindness and compassion that we develop the spirit of helping them,and it is out of wisdom that we observe the right way to assist them. However,we tend to criticize and blame others for venting our own afflictions while finding faults with others, which seems to say that we are doing for their good, but actually shows our lack of loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom. The biggest problem is that we still take such an action of "speakin gone's mind freely" as a merit, not willing to rectify it. Observe our own momentary thoughts anytime and anywhere, and face up to our own afflictions. This is exactly a kind of cultivation and practice. Do not pack up ourselves with delusion, prejudice and words. It is not straigh tforward to disguise our afflictions and close our hearts. Being kind is not to expect the same in return from others, but due to our own principle of conducting ourselves. Adherence to this point makes it possible to rea

Karma revolving around mindPeople's thought can be affected by the past habits, but it is by no means unchangeable.It could be changed by what we hear and what we think. Stinginess can be changed to generosity, hatred to compassion, and ignorance to wisdom. The way we think is related to our past habits. However, we can be the master for our present mind. We can consciously change our habits and choose to follow the direction of our aspiration.Underany circumstances, before you deliberate, karma plays the role; when you decideto make the decision, it is your aspiration that works. Therefore, the key to change your life is “now”. The core to turn around your karma is your aspiration. 业随心转 人的起心动念会受到过去习性的影响，但不是绝对的，它是可以改变的。由听闻、思维而转心，悭吝可以变为慷慨，嗔恨可以变为慈悲，愚痴可以变为智慧。我们思维的方式，与过去养成的习惯有关系；但当下一念心的方向，是可以自己做主的，我们可以有意识的改变习惯，抉择内心所愿的方向。面对一切境界，思维抉择之前，是业力的作用；当下的选择，是愿力的作用。所以，当下是改变命运的关键，愿力是转变业力的核心。

Learn from sagesWe can read biographies of great Dharmamasters and sagesancient or modern, domestic or foreign,to immerse ourselves in their compassion,aspirationsand strong wills,which can bring out the light within ourown hearts,and cast away the dark clouds ofafflictions.Such is having blessings from them.The environment can have a big impact onus,however, we can also change the environmentwith our confidence, aspiration, will andhard work.The achievements of great Dharma masterscame not from an advantageous environment.On the contrary, it was their owndetermination and will,that made it possible for them to pave apath of lightin an environment that seemed impossible. 学习圣贤可以读一些古今中外圣贤、祖师大德的传记，让我们的心置于其悲心愿力、坚强意志的熏染中，能启发自心光明，驱散烦恼阴云，这便是得到了祖师的加持。环境对我们有很大的影响，反过来，我们的发心和努力也能改变环境，一切都要回归到自己的信心、发心与愿力上，好好去努力。祖师大德们的成就，并不是因为有良好的环境，恰恰相反，所有有成就的人，都是在看似不可能的环境中靠自己的决心与意志走出了一条光明大道。

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，

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 ones and 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

Loving one’s parentsFilial piety lies insincerity instead of materials. To support and wait upon our parents, the best way is to do it appropriately rather than over-abundantly or extravagantly. It is great harm to our parents to celebrate their birthdays by killing numerous animals for feasts. Real love and piety for parents is spiritual concern and more 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 our country. Chung Yeung, which is also called Double Ninth Festival, means literally “double nine”, a positive number in Chinese culture. It is also the largest number, implying long life and health.Chung Yeung Festival was celebrated as early as during the Warring States Times and was appointed as a folk festival since Tang Dynasty. The festival includes such customs and activities as climbing mountains, going outing, appreciating chrysanthemums and so on. The ninth day of the ninth lunar

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 problem deeply hidden in our heart thatexhausts us, not something external. Most of our inner strength is wasted on all types of delusion andclinging. But how can we see the real problem and 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

Envy, jealousy, hatredDelusion 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