Robot Monk Xian'er

< Situations are like mirrors reflecting our flaws >All situations are meant for our spiritual practice just like a mirror reflecting our own imperfection.When we are angry because we are hurt, the mirror tells us that we are deeply attached to the self.When we are helpless seeing others suffer, the mirror tells us that our wisdom and merits are far from being adequate.When we think about giving up for fear of challenges ahead, the mirror tells us that our will is not yet steadfast.  【境界如镜子照着我们的缺点】一切境界都是我们修行的对境，像镜子一样照出自身的不圆满。当我们被伤害而愤怒时，镜子在告诉我们：对自己的执著还很深；当我们看到他人的痛苦而无能为力时，镜子在告诉我们：智慧与福德还远远不够；当我们觉得前行艰难想要放弃时，镜子在告诉我们：愿力还不够坚强。

how to be betterIt’s impossible that external environment is as we wish.We are just one part of social conditions and need to learn to be forgiving, appreciative, grateful and aspirational.Forgiveness is to accept what is different.Appreciation is to recognize others’ strength;Gratitude is to realize significance of external conditions.Aspiration is to be active in creating the change we want to see, which is fulfilling one’s duty to society.  如何做更好的自己要想外境处处都如自己的意，是做不到的，我们只是众缘中的一分。要学会包容、欣赏、感恩和发心。包容，要接纳与自己不同的人与事；欣赏，要看到他人的长处；感恩，要能够体会到外境对自己的意义；发心，体现自己作为众缘之一的作用，积极从我做起，去创造自己希望的好的改变。

How to think sensiblyWhen dealing with others, think more about what you can do better,how others feel and what they need, and thank others for their hard work.  Once such thinking is cultivated, we will not be sensitive to and troubled by how others think of us. It is because of lack of sensible thinking that we are easily influenced by illusions.  怎么做到如理思维待人处事的时候，多想想自己有哪些做得不足，多体谅对方的心情和需求，多感谢对方所付出的辛苦。培养起这样的思考习惯，就不会总是敏感他人对自己的态度而苦恼了。我们就是因为不会如理思维，才会被种种妄想所左右。

I may not be rightOne suffers when everyone else is wrong and you are the only one who is right.Such mindset puts oneself to the opposite side of others.Therefore, whatever others say or do is sure to cause afflictions.Those with such disposition should often review that I may not be right.Try to put oneself others’ shoes and try not to be self centered.我一定是对的吗？“总觉得别人不对，只有自己对”时，痛苦就来了。这种设定一开始就把自己与他人放到了对立面，他人再说什么、做什么都会给自己带来烦恼。有这种习性的人，要常常去想“我也不一定是对的”，多换位思考，不要总是以自我为中心。

The way to practiceYou will never change if taking excuses such as I am just an average being and I can’t make it and taking no action.The practice is a process where one goes from ignorance to enlightenment. Every step during this process is just as meaningful as the final result. 如何修行如果总是以“我是凡夫，做不到”为理由，不去实践，那么自己就永远无法改变。修行是一个从迷茫到觉悟的过程，这个过程中的每一步都是有意义的，不是只有最后那个结果才是有意义的。

How to manage pridePride is to respect oneself, not to ask respect from others.If one is denied such respect and feels hurt,  he or she should not fight back and hurt others.The true pride is to be responsible for one’s own behavior.如何维护自尊心自尊心，是自己尊重自己，不是求别人尊重自己。如果别人否定了自己，自己为此感到痛苦，那么就不应再去反击、伤害别人。对自己的行为负责，才是真正的自尊。

When dealing with others, be kind, speak kindly, and act kindly【Xian'er says so: “Buddhism cultivation must withstand all kinds of tests.”】One day, Zhao Xiaocui met Xian'er and asked him to tell her fortune.Xian'er rolled his eyes and left.Zhao Xiaocui caught up with Xian’er and asked him to read her palms. Xian'er rolled his eyes again and left. Zhao Xiaocui didn’t give up.She run after Xian'er and asked him to give blessings to her bracelet. Xian'er got really annoyed and said: "Leave me alone.I am not in the mood!"Zhao Xiaocui answered: "See, you are so annoyed! Is this how you practice Buddhism? I know that Buddhism is neither about fortune telling nor giving blessings.It is about letting go of ego and addressing afflictions.This is a test to see how you are doing with your practice. "Xian'er felt ashamed.Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha.A right attitude is critical to forge harmonious interpersonal relationships. Re

To emulate the wise or to team with the foolish.【Xian'er says so: “It is not wise to take revenge.”】Xian'er told Shifu: “Shifu, Wang Xiaowu often fails to keep his promise. Since he doesn’t show respect for me, I am going to treat him the same way. ” Shifu said nothing. Xian'er added: “Wang Xiaowu always bullies me, slanders me, and hurts me on purpose.Since this is how he is with me, I have to take revenge.”Shifu replied: " My dear Er, it is time that you do some reading and reflection.”  Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha.Self-esteem,Is to respect oneself.To emulate the wise or to team with the foolish?What kind of person one aspires to become, Determines one’s actions.  是向智者看齐，还是与愚者为伍【贤二如是说：不要以牙还牙】贤二跟师父说：“师父，王小五经常言而无信，根本就不懂得尊重人，既然这样，那我也不跟他客气了。”师父沉默。贤二跟师父又说：“王小五老是欺负我，诋毁、攻击、中伤，既然他老是这样，那我也跟他一样。给他好看。”师父说：“二，好好看看书吧。”以下来自我师父的《好好说话》自尊，是自己尊重自己。是向智者看齐，还是与愚者为伍？心中希望自己成为一个什么样的人决定了自己的行为。

The root cause of all sufferings is here after all. 【Xian'er says so: “ take it easy】Xian'er worked very hard at cleaning the toilet and won the "Golden Horse Awards” in the field of toilet cleaning.He reported the good news to Shifu. However, Shifu critized him for it. Xian'er could not figure out why his achievement brought criticism.“Maybe I was wrong.”Xian’er thought to himself and decided not to clean the toilet anymore.It lasted for over half a year and the toilet got……Shifu came down hard on Xian’er again. Xian’er asked: “Shifu, why is it that I cannot make it right? Cleaning the toilet is not right. Not cleaning is not right either! ”Shifu replied: " Xian'er, it’s time that you do some reading and thinking. ”Xian'er suddenly got it.He has since learned to keep an ordinary mind. And everything goes well.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 seek others’ approval of our actions,  for we are fundamentally self-centere

What others do is their business. 【Xian’er says so: “Don’t always make trouble with me.”】Xian’er asked Shifu: “Wang Xiaowu always makes trouble with me,but how come?”Shifu kept quiet. Xian’er asked again: “Shifu, is there any Mantra I can chant that will make those I dislike disappear? ”Shifu didn’t say anything.Xian’er continued asking: “Shifu, is there any ritual I can follow that will stop Wang Xiaowu from bothering me?”Shifu kept quiet. Xian’er said: “Shifu, your silence scares me. This is giving me goose bumps. Alright, I’ll go do some reading …”Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha.What others do is their business;What you do is yours. It is destiny that we meet in this life. No matter how others are,We have to make a kind encounter. 别人怎么样，是别人的事 【贤二如是说：别老跟我过不去 】贤二问师父：“王小五总是跟我过不去，这是为什么呢？”师父没吭声。贤二又问师父：“师父，咱们佛门里有没有什么“咒语”，一念，就能够永远见不到自己讨厌的人。”师父又没吭声。贤二又问师父：“师父，咱们佛门里有什么“法”，做一下，就能让王小五别老是跟我过不去了......”师父还是没有吭声。贤二说：“师父，您这样老是不吭声，我怎

True failure comes when the mind gives up.  【Xian’er says so: “I am told off by Shifu AGAIN.”】Xianyi came back from his trip overseas to transmit Buddhism.  In English，he shared his experience visiting the Louvre in Paris.  His presentation was tilted : A Crashing Exchange of International Transmission of Buddhism, World Civilization, and Traditional Universal Value.Xian’er envied Xianyi a great deal. So he called for a meeting to give a presentation. Attendees were kids from villages near Bu’er Monastery, and Wang Xiaowu, Zhao Xiaocui, Zhang Xiaosi, etc...Xian’er’s presentation was titled: How Rookie Birds and Stray Dogs learn to get by in  life.As a result, Xian’er was told off by Shifu again.Below are quoted from my Shifu’s new book, Say Good Things—Master Xuecheng’s insight on the path to speaking like a Buddha. Neither self-abasement nor self-conceit is a normal state of mind. Be confident but not overconfident; Be modest but not self-contemptuous.Success or failure,Is not determined by comparison, But b

Those who are arrogant are disqualified to be criticsWhen others disdain us, do we disdain them as well?Observe how arrogance manifests itself, think about damages arrogance may cause, and reflect upon ourselves.  Arrogance is hidden within us and it is hard to recognize it ourselves.Well, there is a mirror which is external condition.  Everyone is sharp when pointing out others' issues, which is not wisdom.Taking an "I am guiding you" or  "you don't know what you are missing" attitude is far from being compassionate.Without compelling virtue and far-reaching karmic causes, you will not be able to change others by pointing out their issues.You annoy them instead. So focus more on your own issues. 骄傲的心没资格当“批评家”当别人看不起自己的时候，自己是否也在看不起别人？观察慢心的形象，思维慢心的危害，然后反省自己身上有没有这样的问题。慢心藏在我们身上，自己很难认识到，外境正好是一面镜子。每个人看别人的问题都是很犀利的，这不算智慧；心里怀着“指导你”和“你怎么不知好歹”的心态，也远非慈悲。没有让人信服的德行与深厚的业缘，指出别人的问题只会惹人反感，而不能帮人改变。多看看自己的问题吧!

On " Taking a loss  can be a blessing"Taking a loss can be a blessing.Those who are open-minded choose to step back when facing inappropriate competition for fame and fortune.However, they choose to step forward when an organization needs them to serve and sacrifice.They can do this because their value system is not based upon personal gains but for higher standards.Those who serve willingly without complaints and struggle are truly happy.Although they don't ask for blessing, blessings are due to accumulate.Those who are forced to take a loss with a great deal of anger and grudge are not accumulating blessings. They are consuming it.  何谓“吃亏是福”？吃亏是福，是指内心豁达之人，在遇到人不正当地争名夺利时，选择了退后；在集体遇到事情需要奉献牺牲时，选择了向前。之所以能够做到这一点，因为内心深处的价值观不是围绕个人的利益得失，而是为了更高的标准。甘愿做、无怨言、不纠结、坦然欢喜，虽不求之，必积厚福；如果是被迫吃亏，愤懑不平、闷闷不乐，甚至怨天尤人，那不是积福，反而更加损福。

Chart your own destiny rather than being charted by destinyBe it sad or happy, favorable or unfavorable, life is already what it is.  How to live this life and live it well is the most important thing.The saddest thing is not to have a tragic life but to indulgence in it.We are very much attached to the label of" a tragic life "that we tie ourselves to it.We must chart our own destiny rather than being charted by destiny.Birth and death happen to everything and everyone, and nobody can acquire sth. forever without losing it.When you have something, cherish it; when you lose something, let it go.Old causes are gone as new causes are arriving.Take control of your own aspiration and endeavors, and accomplish your career and life under birth and death of various causes. 定义自己的人生，不要被“命运”定义 命运苦也好，乐也好，顺也好，逆也好，都是已经存在的状况了，如何去过好它，才是最重要的。最可悲的不是命运凄苦，而是我们沉溺于此，执著于“命苦”的标签捆缚了自己。我们要去定义自己的人生，而不要被命运定义。一切东西都有生灭，没有谁能永远“得到”而不会“失去”。拥有时，好好珍惜；失去时，释然放下。旧的因缘灭了，新的因缘生起，把握好自己的发心和努力，在因缘的生灭中成就事业、成就人生。

Favorable circumstance is not "greenhouse"; what matters is to take responsibility under such conditions. Laziness is a terrible thing as it can destroy our volition, waste our life, exploit our vitality, and keep happiness away from us. Laziness seems to make us more comfortable on the surface, but it makes the mind more and more empty and prone to afflictions in the long run.lt is as if we have been  exhausted which makes us suffer exceedingly more than physical fatigue.  We must find the meaning in what we do rather than simply following our habits to live casually, regardless staying home or venturing out. We have a strong tendency to laziness under favorable circumstances such that we may stay calm and motivated under unfavorable circumstances whereas tend to be indolent under favorable ones.This is as if boiling a frog in warm water which destroys one's life.In order to change this state of being, we ought to have grand aspiration and take responsibility, not to seek unfavorable circumstances

 Believe in karma which is the seed that changes livesWhat is planted determines what is harvested.  Bodhisattvas don't  punish nor bless as they cannot give us anything that is beyond our own karma.  Blessing or curse is what we have called upon ourselves. Suppose a seed is planted, it takes time and dedicated care to grow. Everything has its timing and conditions.Fate is no exception.The key to life-changing lies in the change of karma, the essence of which is our mind.Therefore, we ought to change our habits, our understanding and our mind, making every thought a seed of kindness.Not only can fate be changed over time, but also can we stay away from anxiety and affliction.深信因果，改变命运的种子种下什么种子，就得到什么收成，佛菩萨不会惩罚，也不会赐福，佛菩萨给不了我们自身因果之外的福祸。一切祸福都是自招的。种一颗种子在地里，精心护理，也要时日慢慢长大。任何事情都是需要时节因缘的，命运也是如此。改命的关键是改业，业的核心是我们的心念。要改习气、改知见、改心念，让念念都是善净的种子，不仅命运的改善可期，当下也能远离焦虑、烦恼。

A mind tolerant of differences is in harmony Do not shut others out and look down upon them simple because of difference in personalities or pursuits.A mind tolerant of differences does not go with others’ afflictions nor reject by drawing the line. 心若宽广，自能谦卑发自内心的谦卑，这样的人内心一定很宽广，能够包容许多人和事，他知道：每个人都有自己的优点，都有自己的经历，都有值得尊重和效学之处；他知道：世界很大，还有许多事情自己不了解、不擅长；他知道：一切成果都是众缘和合而成，绝不是某一个人的功绩。

Keep harmony in diversityNever shut down ourselves or even look down others just because of different goals or personalities. Keep harmony in diversity without following other’s afflictions or feeling of rejection.     和而不同不要因为一些追求或性情上的不同而把自己包裹起来，心里看不起、看不上、看不惯别人。要有“和而不同”的包容心，不随顺他人的烦恼，也不要有划清界限的拒绝感。

Focus on the path taken,one will not be lostWith a strong attachment,we are easily lost once external situations don’t meet our expectation for we limit ourselves only to certain outcome and are blind to alternative conditions.  The truth is that all roads lead to Rome. What we ought to do is focus on the path taken.   走好脚下的路，心自然不失落抱着强烈的执著去做一件事，一旦外在境界不符合自己的预期，内心就会失落、动摇，找不到方向，因为自己只为内心的那个结果活着，看不到、不接受其他的因缘。人生处处是路，走好自己现在脚下这条路。

Less calculation, never feeling at a loss If you care too much about yourself, you always feel like at a loss.If you care less about self and more about others,you will not feel at a loss at all.On the contrary, you will accumulate blessings and virtue.Karma determinates everything.There is no bargain nor loss to be taken in vain.  【少点精明，不会“吃亏”】自己在意、计较，就会感觉“吃亏”；若不那么精明，宽厚一点、少算计一点，心里没有“吃亏”的想法，反而憨憨地积下许多福德。业决定一切，哪有真正的便宜可占，又何尝有凭空的损失呢？