学佛法要能勇于改过

In Studying the Buddhadharma, We Must Bravely Change Our Faults

知道以前所行所作有不对的地方，就是有智慧。

To be wise is to recognize one’s past mistakes.

各位！修道若是不能改过，就等于没有修道；学佛法不能知过必改，等于没有学佛法。所谓：

If we cannot change our faults, we aren’t really cultivating the Way. If we are aware of our faults but don’t change them, we aren’t really studying the Buddhadharma.

行年五十，而知四十九之非。

When one turns fifty, one is aware of the errors of the past forty-nine years.

知道以前所行所作有不对的地方，凡是有这种感觉的人，就是有智慧，将来的前途也是无量光明。若是不知以前之非，这个人就要胡涂一辈子，终日图虚名，被客尘所迷，这种人多么可怜！

To be wise is to recognize one’s past mistakes, and to realize that the future holds limitless possibilities. People who do not recognize their errors will be muddled to the end of their lives. People who crave illusory fame and seek after external things are pitiful indeed!

我们不要把佛性寄托在四大假合的物质上，只知求享受，不知修真道。为什么弃真逐妄？为什么舍本求末？都是因为不知道反省，有了过错也不肯改。因为不认识自己的自性是清净无染，没有一切的尘垢，所以对自性没有丝毫的把握，于是同流合污，将自性染污了，把本有的智慧也埋没了，这样就更难明心见性了。

We shouldn’t neglect our Buddha-nature and pay so much attention to material things. We shouldn’t crave enjoyment and forget to cultivate. Why do we discard the true to chase after the false? Why do we ignore the root and seek out the branches? It’s because we don’t know how to examine ourselves, and because we don’t want to change our faults. Unaware that our own natures are pure and pristine, we wallow in the mire, defiling our natures and burying our wisdom. Then it becomes even harder for us to understand our minds and see our natures.

我们住在万佛圣城，要把心中的黑暗除掉，令自性的光明现出来，用正大光明来处理事情，不用手段来压迫人。我们要谨记

At the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, we should expel the darkness from our minds so our own natures can shine forth. We should do things with a proper, bright, and all-encompassing mind. We should never manipulate or oppress other people. We should always remember:

是道则进，非道则退；

择善而从，不善而改。

Go forward along the Way;

Retreat from what is not the Way.

Follow what is good;

Change what is evil.

能这样，一定能达到贤圣的地位。

If this is how we are, we will surely become sages and worthy ones.