Do not eat too much.

不要吃太饱了

If you wish to not eat and still have the energy to continue practicing, that is permissible. However, if you choose not to eat but do not have the energy to sustain yourself for sitting or walking, it would be better to eat something. Cultivators of the Way should not eat too much or they may end up hurting their stomachs. Those who eat only once a day before noon are especially prone to injuring their stomachs. That is why we must accord with the Middle Way even when it comes to meals, which means not eating too much, nor too little. Why do we not get a response despite our rigorous cultivation? It is because if we forget to eat, wear enough clothes, or sleep, we keep thinking all day long, “I didn’t get enough sleep! I didn’t get enough food! I should have eaten more today.” Or we keep thinking, “I am really ill.” If we cannot forget about these minor things, our false thinking will not cease and the true mind will not manifest. This is analogous to murky water. If you keep stirring it, it will never be clear. That is why it is said, “When the mind is clear, the moon appears in the water.” If one’s mind is clear and pure, it is indeed like still water reflecting the moon. “With thoughts quieted, there are no clouds in the sky.” If there are no false thoughts, it is indeed as if there were no clouds in the sky, and your own nature’s light of wisdom will manifest.

你愿意不吃东西，还能有气力支持用功，这是可以的；你要是不吃东西，坐也没有气力，跑也没有气力，那还是吃一点东西好。修道的人吃东西不要吃太饱，否则胃会受伤，像持午的人，尤其日中一食的人往往把胃都撑坏了，所以吃东西要取乎中道，不要太过也不要不及。我们为什么用功不能相应呢？就是一天到晚忘不了吃，忘不了穿，忘不了睡觉，总想着：「不够睡，没吃饱！今天应该再多吃点。」或者忘不了「我有病，我病得这么厉害。」因为忘不了这些，所以妄想就不能停止，真心就现不出来。好像水很浑，你摇摇幌幌的，它就没法清净；除非你停止不动它，所以说：「心清水现月」你心里清净就好像水里现出明月一样；「意定天无云」你的意念要是不打妄想，就好像天上没有乌云，自性的智慧光明就现出来了。