On Practice XXIV【修行 (二十四) -英文】

搬弄是非造口业者，本身就是是非人。

Those who like to gossip and cause speech karma are descrimitive and judgemental themselves anyways.

离言语、除百非----说话要精简，不必要的话，勿多言。

Avert words so as to avoid misdeeds. When we speak, we should make the point and cut all unnecessary remarks.

不要说是非；说是非会失败，说是非会令人不安定。

Do not gossip. Gossip leads to failure; gossip makes people feel restless.

要讲别人之前，先和自己的心商量一下。

Before making any comments, consult our consciousness first.

不要老是看别人不对、说人是非，只要一说出来就是自己不对，就是造口业。所以修行人这个口很重要。

Dont fall in the habbit of finding fault with others, or making unnecessary comments. As soon as the words are uttered, we are in the wrong and have created negative karma of words. Therefore, it is very important for practitioners to be watchful of what they say.

有的人说话会令人起烦恼，不能使人心安，常令人不知所措、无所适从，但偏偏又要别人听他的，自己却不肯听别人的意见，结果自己心里反而起无明、生烦恼，解不开。

Some people can easily make others feel vexed, baffled, or losing themselves when they talk. These same people are also prone to insist on others complying with their wishes, though they themselves are reluctant to listen to others. As a result, their ignorance is brought forth, they become vexed，and have difficulties in sorting it out by themselves.

要时时把自己的念头观照好，不起贪念，不乱说话。世俗的种子已经够多，不要再种这些轮回的因了。要讲就讲佛法，一心求生西方。

Be watchful of our thoughts all the time: curb the arising of any clinging thoughts and unnecessary chattering. There are enough tainted seeds to confine us in the cycle of rebirths. Do not plant more. Discuss Buddhadharma if any conversation is necessary and vow to be reborn in the Pure Land.

起烦恼时，不要找这个人说话，又找那个人说话，说来说去惹是非，最好多礼佛、消业障、解烦恼。

When we are troubled, do not try to find someone to talk to, because it will cause more trouble than do any good. We might as well use the time to perform prostration and worship Buddha, which will alleviate our karmic obstructions thereby reduce our vexations.

夸奖我们、赞美我们的，都不是明师；反而骂我们的，不管对与否，才是真正的善知识。当他在刺激我们的时候，就是在成就我们的道业。而我们受到刺激时，不仅要起惭愧心,忏悔业障，更要拿出志气来勇猛精进。能这样，道业才会进步。

Teachers who constantly speak highly of us or give us compliments are not wise. On the contrary, those who criticize us or give us hard times, be it right or wrong, are our true virtuous mentors and can truly help us with our practice. When reproaching us, the latter are providing us with chances to reflect on ourselves and strengthen our practice. So when we are reprimanded, not only should we feel ashamed and repent for causing the hindrance of karma in our previous lives, but also should we reaffirm our vows and practice even more diligently. Only by doing so can we expect to make progress on our Dharma pursuing path.

人恶我不恶，人非我不非。别人结恶缘时，我们不能受影响也和他结恶缘。心要有主，要有分辨是非的能力，这样才能广结善缘，因为未成佛要先结人缘。

Do not detest those whom are detested by others; do not question or criticize those whom are questioned or criticized by others. When others foster negative affinities, do not follow. We should be indiscriminative, having our own standard and having the ability to make independent judgment. In this way, we will foster good affinities with others, which is essential because before attaining buddhahood, we have to foster good karmic affinities with sentient beings.

------Translated from Analects of Master Kuang-chin（编译自《广钦老和尚开示录》）