修行人要用最誠懇的心來發願，時時要依照自己所發的願去行。並不是發願之後，不到五分鐘，就忘得一乾二淨，這等於沒有發願一樣。要弄清楚發願是為了什麼？不是徒具形式，當做例行公事，那就大錯特錯，違背了自己發願的原則。

A cultivator should use his/her sincerest mind to make vows. One's vows should be maintained at all times. If one forgets one's vows less than five minutes after making them, it's the same as not making them at all. We need to be very certain about why we made vows, and not treat vows like some sort of routine, made just for the sake of appearances. That would be completely wrong and would go against the principle of making vows.

凡是發願的人，每天要把自己的發願文誦一遍，提醒自己、鞭策自己，要做到至善至美的程度，這樣才不辜負自己發願的初衷。

People who make vows should recite their vows every day in order to remind themselves and to spur themselves on to accomplish perfection, so that their initial resolve in making vows doesn't go to waste.

諸佛菩薩就因為認真發願，依願實行，所以證得無上正等正覺的果位。我們如果將每一條願文，都往真實的方向做去，沒有絲毫的虛偽，那麼我們也會成佛，也會成菩薩的。

Bodhisattvas certify to the fruition of unsurpassed right enlightenment because they make vows very sincerely and actually practice according to them. If we truly practice every one of our vows without the slightest falseness, we will become Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

佛是大智慧者，我們是大愚癡人；我們若想學大智慧，必須以佛心為己心，以佛願為己願，時時都是慈悲喜捨，難忍能忍，難行能行，一切往真實處做去，才能得到真正的感應。所以我們對發願這件事情要特別注意！

The Buddha is a greatly wise one, and we are greatly deluded ones. We want to learn great wisdom, so we must take the Buddha's mind as our own mind and take the Buddha's vows as our own vows. We should always practice kindness, compassion, joy, and giving; endure what is difficult to endure; do what is difficult to do; and do whatever is true and real. Then we will obtain true responses. Therefore we should pay special attention to making vows.

阿彌陀佛因為發四十八大願，成就極樂世界，攝受一切眾生。我們應該效法過去諸佛、菩薩、聖人的行為，要痛改前非，不要保護自己的短處，不要跟著習氣毛病跑，這叫背塵合覺，否則就是背覺合塵。

Amitabha Buddha was able to create the Land of Ultimate Bliss and gather in all living beings because he made forty-eight great vows. We should learn from the conduct of past Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and sages. We should resolve to correct our previous mistakes and not defend our shortcom-ings or let our old habits and faults lead us astray. If we can do this, we would be “uniting with enlightenment and going against the dust.” If not, we'll be “uniting with the dust and going against enlightenment.”

若是能勇於改過，面對現實，接受考驗，經得起考驗，便有成就。不要我見太深，我相太重。要認識自性是光明磊落的，所謂「圓陀陀，光灼灼，赤裸裸，一絲不掛」的真心。這個真心是什麼習氣毛病都沒有，所以不要把佛性寄託在四大假合的物質上。

If we can courageously correct our mistakes, face reality, accept trials, and be able to endure tests, we will become accomplished. Do not have a deep-rooted view of self or an ingrained “self-image.” We should recognize that the self-nature is bright and open; that's why it is called the “perfect, bright, and pure” true mind. No habits or faults attach to this true mind. So don't compare the Buddha-nature to material objects, which are formed by a false combination of the four elements.

我們為什麼離真逐妄？為什麼捨本逐末？就因為不認識自己的自性。自性是沒有一點的染污，清清淨淨，好像明鏡一樣，物來則映，物去則淨。

Why do we abandon reality to chase after the false? Why do we neglect the root and seek the branch-tips? Because we don't recognize our own natures. The self-nature is not the least bit defiled. It is pure and clean, like a bright mirror. It reflects objects when they appear, and returns to purity when the objects are gone.

各位！修道人若是不能改過，就等於沒有修道。所謂「行年五十，方知四十九之非。」有這種覺悟心的人，就是有智慧的人，將來前途一定不可限量，所謂「前程似錦」。若是不知非，那就糊塗一輩子，只是圖虛名、好假好，被客塵所迷，這真是可憐人！

If cultivators cannot correct their errors, it amounts to having no cultivation. There is a saying that, “At the age of fifty, the offenses committed at forty-nine become apparent.” People who have this awareness are people with wisdom, and their future is promising. People who never recognize their own faults end up being muddled all their lives, seeking empty fame and false values, confused by worldly corruption. Such people are pitiful.

現在萬佛聖城是光明遍照、萬佛護持的道場，希望大家能去除心中的黑暗，用智慧光明來注照它，才能把無明煩惱掃光，這一點一定要特別小心謹慎！

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a Way-place that is protected by ten thousand Buddhas and illumined by a pervasive bright light. I hope all of you will get rid of the darkness in your minds and use the bright candle of wisdom to illumine within, so that the affliction of igno-rance is swept away. Be especially careful and cautious in this regard.