緇門警訓 2.51

2.51

Zhibai, you know what ought to be done each day. / Methods that harm the good should especially be kept far away; / The ways that diminish evil should increasingly be put to use. / Let the mouth not boast of oneself; let the mind not deceive itself. / Do not harbor inner vermin; do not flaunt outward demeanor. / Desiring people's praise while harboring personal selfishness / Is the beginning of killing righteousness, the basis of falling into disaster. / Depending on one's own virtue, there will surely be residual ridicule; / Boasting of one's own success, there will surely be residual blame. / When followers and dependents gather like a forest, you should keep far from them; / Offerings of profit and nourishment are like hairy flies: you should fear them. / Leaving this aside and reflecting upon it: / Besides repressing evil, what then is appropriate? / A single stick of pure incense, a few stems of red lotus; / Let the mouth not cease recitation, and let the mind have no other thoughts. / In practicing seated meditation and paying homage to the images, let the rules not be breached; / In measuring clothing and economizing food, let your aspiration not waver. / Writing worldly compositions: abstain from it as from the Buddha's precepts; / Speaking of others' shortcomings and strengths: be cautious of it according to the Dharma. / Even when facing guests and companions, let your mouth not use many words. / Frequently startled by the passing shadows of time, do not waste time in idle sitting. / The hollow substance of the plantain tree is not your long-term reliance; / The Lotus Pure Land is your true return. / Turn night into day, and diligently practice this.