Robot Monk Xian'er

The Second ArrowGetting hurt is like being shot by an arrow.Continuous repetition and aggravation of this process trigger greater pain, just like “the second arrow” (shooting at the same place). It magnifies the suffering of life, blocks our intrinsic hope and brightness, and discourages us from moving forward. The past life has gone. All the past is merely a memory. Opening eyes in the morning makes a fresh day. Every effort brings new hope. Every encounter promises the first-time meeting in the future life. Lay down your burden, restart a new life, and let smiles reappear on you face. 第二支箭人受到伤害，如同中了一支箭。因内心不断重复和加强这个过程，而引发更剧烈的痛苦，如同第二支箭。正是它放大了生命的苦难，掩盖了本有的希望和光明，让我们丧失了前进的勇气。过去的生命，已经结束，所有的过往，已成回忆。早上睁开眼，就是全新的一天。每一点努力，都是崭新的希望。每一次相遇，皆是余下生命中的初次见面。放下包袱吧，重新开始生活，让笑容重现。

Reasons for FuryPeople react differently when hearing a same word, some are joyful, some indifferent, and some furious. Like throwing a pebble in a lake covered with petals, it makes ripples of petals; while throwing in a lake full of pollutants, then garbage floats here and there. Hearing a word, if wholesome dharma arise in our mind, we will feel joyful. On the contrary, if afflictions emerge, suffering or even fury will come forth. The root cause of fury is not the word, but our affliction. 愤怒的原因同样一句话，不同的人听到后的反应也不同。有人心生欢喜，有人无动于衷，也有人怒火中。犹如石子投进落满鲜花的湖面，会泛起花瓣的涟漪；投进充满污物的湖中，则会漂起团团垃圾。听到了语言，内心善法起来就会感到快乐，烦恼起来就会痛苦乃至愤怒。感到愤怒的根本原因，并不是别人的话，而是我们的烦恼。

What Do You Put in Your Mind?Mind has no weight and volume, but with strength and space. It keeps all our experiences and memories. If repeatedly review the past failing moments, we will be in negative mood. Everyone encounters difficulty and failure. What makes difference, however, is the attitude. Do not keep thinking of difficulty or anticipate a bad end. Always focus on our goals, find a way out of the shadow for sunshine. Lighten our minds, free our minds, and free ourselves.你的心里装着什么？“心灵”虽然没有体积和重量，但是有空间、有力量。这个空间里装着我们所经历的所有记忆。如果不断重温过去失败的痛苦，就会时时处于负面情绪中。困难与失败每个人都会遇到，不同的是遇到困难与失败之后的心态。不要念念想困难，给自己预设悲观的结局。要一直想目标、想办法，迎着阴影去寻找阳光。给心灵减重，让它自由，让我们自由。

Introspection and Self-negationIntrospection is not equivalent to self-negation. One needs to understand the differences between them. Introspection means to calmly search problems and then move in the right direction, whereas self-negation is more of an emotion. Total self-negation, despair, and loss are like dark clouds rushing overhead, without any positive energy. People who are used to self-negation should learn to focus on the bright sides, find their own strengths, set goals, and keep open minds.反省和自我否定的區別反省不等於自我否定，一定要搞清楚二者間的區別。反省是冷靜地查找問題，然後朝正確的方向去改善；自我否定更多是一種情緒，對自己的全盤否定，絕望、失落，像陰雲壓頂，而沒有積極的力量。有這種習慣的人，應多學習看光明面，發現自己的優點，樹立目標打開心扉。

What Is the Mind Free from DiscriminationNever be proud by victory or discouraged by defeat. This is the mind free from discrimination. Not to be depressed by failure or get dizzy with success. This is the mind free from discrimination. Not to be distressed in poverty and humbleness, not to be arrogant in wealth and honor. This is the mind free from discrimination. Extend your respect for your aged parents to all the aged, and extend your love for your own children to all children. This is also the mind free from discrimination.什麼是“無分別心”勝不驕，敗不餒；得意不忘形，失意不頹廢。就是沒有分別心。處貧賤而不哀，處富貴而不驕，也是沒有分別心。老吾老，以及人之老，幼吾幼，以及人之幼，也是沒有分別心。

Outspokenness: Candidness or Rudeness?Whether outspokenness is candidness or rudeness, the difference lies in the depth and wisdom of mind. So we need to see one’s mind very clearly. A straight mind is the essence of cultivation, which means that one faces the inner afflictions without any disguise, avoidance, and fear. To cultivate one's mind is to practice Buddhism. To be outspoken, one should first look into and clean up their mind to become respected and amiable. If one is not aware of their afflictions and do not control them, simply criticizing others is rude and annoying.心直口快，是率真還是粗魯？心直口快，是率真還是粗魯，區別在於內心的深度、智慧，要看清楚自己的心。直心是道場，就是直面自己內心的煩惱不掩飾，不回避，不畏懼，修心就是修道。心直口快，首先要照見和清理自己的心，才是可愛可敬的。如果對自己的煩惱不覺察、不約束，一味評說他人，就是粗魯可厭的。

The right thinking is key to a good life. 【Xian'er says so: Don’t be fooled by your mind.】Wang Xiaowu said：Xian’er, I actually like the ice cream you made.It is delicious indeed. I often say that your ice-cream is like poop, that is because I don’t like how you show off. Xian’er said: It’s okay, I know you don’t like the way I am.You have got a lot in you. Wang Xiaowu said: I thought that since I don’t like your style, then I’ll just ignore you. I will not eat your ice-cream and tell everyone that your ice-cream sucks. Xian’er said: Believe it or not, I understand how you feel. I too often think that I will never speak to you again. But Shifu taught us not to think this way. Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha.  We all deal with various people, matters and things every day and manage various  relationships. The mind will be of clarity if things are done after the right thinking. Otherwise, we will be an

Languages speak our mind. 【Xian'er says so: Languages speak our mind】Wang Xiaowu said to Xian’er: Actually, I admire you monks, especially your Shifu. He speaks so well, always appropriate. It seems that what he says are normal words but they always get to the point. It never hurts anyone’s feeling, and it inspires and educates. Also Xianyi, Xiansan, Xiansi, Xianwu, Xianbai, Xianqian. No matter what situation they are in, they always speak appropriately.What to say, and what not to say. They have got it under control. I’m curious as why you are not like them, provided you all follow the same Master. Why is it that you are so much behind? This drives Xian’er crazy. Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha.  When the mind is serene, there is more wisdom to identify the root cause of a problem. Therefore, one is capable of speaking to the point. When the mind is agitated, it is as if a candle dwindling in the wind. With

SimplenessSimpleness means that we need to reflect on our karma and our inner mind .If we always focus on the outer world, that will be too  heavy and complex for us, because external causes and conditions are innumerable.  The simplest way to ease  our mind is  to act in accordance with the law of karma.  简单简单，是从自己内心去看，从自己的善恶业去看。如果一直注重外在的境界，那会非常复杂、非常沉重，因为外在的因缘太多了。 跟随业果法则行事，最简单、最安心。

Going out of loneliness Those who are unsocial and introvert are not used to care for others and receive care from others. Although they crave for warmth, it seems there is an intangible wall of ice that separates them from others. This wall can only be melted when inner warmth and sunshine are engaged. Working through circumstances can help bring out inner change. Try as much as possible to help others, participate in charity events when opportunities present themselves as dedication is the secret to fill the heart with love. Life is like a candle that keeps on burning.As long as it is there, it gives out light, heat, and hope. When there are sufficient kindness and love in this world, indifference and hideousness will finally be melted away. 走出孤独孤僻内向，是因为心中不习惯于关爱他人和接受他人的关爱。虽然渴望温暖，却有一道无形的冰墙把自己与他人隔离开来。开发内心的阳光，就能融化这道墙。内心的改变来自于在境界中的感受与磨练。平常生活中力所能及的去帮助他人，有机会可以参加一些慈善活动。奉献，是让心充满爱的秘决。人生如同一颗不断燃烧的蜡烛，只要存在一天，就可以释放一份光热，给世界送去一份希望，给人间增添一份温暖。社会要有足够多的善良和爱心，才能最终感化丑恶和冷酷。

Greatness in Simplicity The mind is simple, so is the world; the mind is complicated, so is the world . Greatness is in simplicity, but we are reluctant to believe it. With a sense of self-protection, we view the world with a skeptical eye. Through tainted glasses of “doubt,” we see a malicious world. This is shown vividly in the ancient story "praising your child but doubting your neighbor.”Pay attention to what is true, good, and beautiful around you.More importantly, try to be a person with goodwill. 大道至简心简单，世界就简单；心复杂，世界就复杂。大道至简，只是我们不肯去相信它。为了保护自己，用怀疑的眼光检视这个世界，透过“怀疑”的有色眼镜，看到的世界就是恶意的。古有“智子疑邻”的公案，就形象地显示出这一点。要用心去发现身边的真善美，更要去做一个怀着善意的人。

Melt the Iceberg among UsMutual influence exists in the interpersonal relationship. When we think that someone erects a high wall before us, the best solution is to open the door in our heart first. Indifference is an infectious disease, needing healing with warmth. Light a fire in our own heart; let it shine and give out heat, warming both ourselves and others.融化冷漠人与人的关系是互相影响的，当我们觉得对方对我们竖起了一道高高的墙时，最好的办法是先打开自己心中的门。冷漠是一种传染病，需要温暖来治愈，自己心中点亮一把火，去发光、发热，温暖自己也温暖他人。

Change a Little Every Day In unfavorable circumstances, people always expect a turnaround and take it as their real need. So they reject, ignore, or even give up each tiny change they can make. On the contrary, a new life will never come by itself, but by every little bit effort we make. How could a result be possible without a process? 每天改变一点点人在不如意的境界中时，往往期待一个完全的改变，觉得这才是自己想要的，于是就排斥、忽视乃至放弃自己能做到的微小改变。而事实却正好相反，没有从天而降的全新生活，只有自己一点一滴的努力。离开了过程，怎么会有结果呢？

To Be a Wintersweet Blossom Braving the Snow Wintersweet flowers blossom bravely even in chilly winter. The perspectives on  issues  determine our mentality and future. Don't leave sufferings in your heart and let them wrap yourself up over and over again. Instead, catch sight of love and light, kindle the light of your heart, and make yourself the warmth in winter and the hope in hardship. 做一朵傲雪寒梅即使寒冷的冬天，也有梅花傲然开放。看待问题的角度，决定了我们的心态和未来。不要把伤痛记在心中，一遍遍包裹自己；要看到爱和光明的存在，点燃心光，让自己成为冬天中的暖意，艰难中的希望。

A Man Who Failed a Thousand Times Said So When inventing the light bulb, Thomas Edison tried more than a thousand  materials to find the right one for the filament, but all attempts ended in failure. Some sighed for all those difficulties that he had encountered, but he replied, "I have not failed a thousand  times. I have successfully discovered a thousand  ways to not make a light bulb." In the face of external adversity, how to think is the key.  一个失败过上千次的人，竟然这样说爱迪生在发明灯泡的时候，为了找到适合做灯丝的物质，曾经尝试过上千种材料，均以失败告终。有人叹息他的艰难，他却说：“这并不是失败，而是让我发现了上千种不适合做灯丝的材料。”面对外在的不顺利，自己内心怎么想是关键。

【Three steps to address indifference】There are three treasures to overcome indifference. The first is to listen. Letting go of all pre-conceived notions, one has to empathize with the other person's joy and sorrow without jumping into judgments. When you focus on the other person's joy and suffering to the point that you forget about that of your own, your sufferings are dying down. The second is to be grateful. Being mature and rational doesn't mean loosing the capability to be grateful. Don't neglect deep love and care from family and friends. The third is to serve. If you don't have time, you can start by doing a small thing every week. Do observe carefully first to find something that is relatively important but not yet done.There is no need to do too much nor to do something grand, as this causes pressure.  Do make others happy through the small undertaking.Indifference is fear for being hurt. When one lets go of self, learns to love others and sentient beings, the self that is prone to

【On indulgence and habitual traits--Internet gaming 】Those who indulge in eating and drinking over the holidays, staying up all night and sleeping in, or watching TV and playing games are not taking a break but harming their body and mind.  Internet games are easy to understand, fun, and making one feel in control. One is quick in achieving objectives, therefore gaining a sense of achievement. The more one plays, the more addicted one becomes. It grows into a habit that resides without requiring activation.In order to attract players, internet games are designed to stimulate human desires and to make us feel happy, catering to human habits. Taking a break does not equal to indulgence; it is meant to nourishing body and mind with meaningful activities. 【放逸和习气之网游篇】一到节假日就暴饮暴食、晚上熬夜早上不起，或整天看电视打游戏等行为，不但不是休息，而是对身心的一种损害。网游的规则很容易了解，很简单，打游戏的人有较大的主宰权，而且“目标”比较快能够实现，能让人快速有一种成就感。然后越打越上瘾，就形成了一种习气，不待策励而能生起。此外，网游为了吸引人，多迎合众生的烦恼习性，刺激人的欲望，让人觉得很快乐。休息不等于放逸，而是要做有益的事去滋养身心。

【The difference between compassion and aversion】My Shifu said that human beings have many facets. For instance, as the old saying goes, those who are pitiful must have their detestable qualities.On the other hand, those who are detestable must have their pathetic qualities. How we feel about them depends upon our perspective. If we see the detestable qualities first, aversion will be brought up.If we see the pathetic qualities first, compassion will be brought up. Aversion is a reflection of our own suffering. However, compassion requires us to observe and empathize with others. 【悲心和瞋心的区别】我师父说：人都有很多面。比如俗话说“可怜之人必有可恨之处”，也可以反过来说，“可恨之人必有可怜之处”，我们怎样去看待，心情就大不一样：把可恨之处放在首位，就起嗔心；把可怜之处放在首位，就起悲心。起嗔心，是心里只想到自己的苦；起悲心，是要去观察体会他的。

When dealing with others, it is not wise to clash head-on like diamond cutting diamond. 【Xian'er says so: Learn to speak like Bodhisattvas.】Xian’er said that the ice-cream he makes motivates. Wang Xiaowu responded that he has never heard that poop-like stuff can motivate. Wang Xiaowu claimed that he is going to start a business. Xian’er said that if you don’t start , you won’t fail.Xian’er said he wants to become a great monk like Shifu. Wang Xiaowu nodded, I cry when I see Shifu.Wang Xiaowu said, “I am going to be the richest man in the whole world. “Xian’er wanted to say that beggars all over the world are laughing at you. But he quickly realized that this would not be appropriate, so he did not say anything. At first, Xian’er was not satisfied because he did not fight back saying something to annoy Wang Xiaowu . But having waited for a while, he soon realized what matters in speaking. This made him suddenly see the light, no longer dissatisfied, and happy.Wang Xiaowu did not know what has happened

The way of speaking is to speak with loving compassion. 【Xian'er says so: The way of speaking.】Wang Xiaowu recently got into a relationship. He has been very excited and even came to Xian’er for an analysis of his personalities.Xian’er shouted thousands of times silently, Wang Xiaowu, trouble is your name! Do you know how to write “tragedy”? Someone like you is due to experience tragedy……These words almost come out of Xian’er’s month, but he managed to put a stop to it and said, Xiaowu, you have many good traits such as honest, straightforward, and brave.However, there is still room for improvement when it comes the way you carry yourself.If you manage to do better, you will be just be amazing…Wang Xiaowu was touched and excited with tears in his eyes and said: Xian’er, I didn’t expect this from you. It looks like I do have a bright future and I feel so happy. Xian’er tucked his sorrow within. It seems that what he did was worth it. Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master