人要是没有做好，都是不能成佛的。

If we do not do a good job as human beings, we cannot become Buddhas.

我们做人，人要是没有做好，都是不能成佛的，所以必须把基础建立起来。什么是做人的基础？做人的基础是孝悌忠信礼义廉耻，这八种是做人的根本，所以孔子说：“君子务本，本立而道生；孝弟也者，其为人之本欤。”那么做人的根本先要尽孝道，先要敬老尊贤，看所有的老人都是等于我的父母一样，中年人都像我的兄弟姊妹一样，青年人则像我的子女一样，能这样看，这才是懂得怎么样做人。因为这个，古人才说：“老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼。”敬老尊贤，尊重贤人，再能恭敬有道的人，这是做人的根本。

If we do not do a good job as human beings, we cannot become Buddhas. Therefore, we must lay the foundation. What is the foundation for being a human being? It is: filial piety, fraternal respect, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, justice, modesty, and a sense of shame. These eight principles are the basis of being a human being. Confucius said: "The superior person devotes himself to the foundation. Once the foundation is established, the Way comes forth. Filial piety and fraternal respect are the foundation for being a human being." To have the basis for being a human being, first of all you must be filial. Respect the elderly and the worthy. Regard all elderly people as your own parents, all middle-aged people as your own siblings, and all young people as your own children. If you have this attitude, then you understand how to be a person. Thus, the ancients said, "I take care of my own elders and children and extend the same care to others' elders and children as well." Respecting the elderly, honoring the worthy, and venerating those who have attained the Way--these are the basis for being a human being.

〈礼运大同篇〉上说：“故人不独亲其亲，不独子其子，使老有所终，壮有所用，幼有所长，鳏寡孤独废疾者，皆有所养。”在古来古圣先王、有道的明君，都是这样治理天下。文王发政施仁，必先周济鳏寡孤独这四类人，所以周朝人民享受太平。文王能以天下像一家似的，世界像一体，所以没有彼此亲疏远近的分别，这叫大同世界的开始。

The Chapter "Great Commonwealth of Peace and Prosperity" in the Book of Rites says, "People cherish not only their own parents and children, but cherish the parents and children of others as well. The elderly live their last years in happiness; able-bodied adults are usefully employed; and children are properly raised. Widowers, widows, orphans, the childless elderly, the crippled, and the ailing are well cared for." In ancient times, all the sages, worthy kings, and virtuous emperors governed the nations in this way. When King Wen implemented policies with kindness, he always first gave aid to widowers, widows, orphans, and the childless aged. Therefore, the people of the Zhou Dynasty enjoyed peaceful times. King Wen was able to regard the country as one family and the world as one body. Thus there were no distinctions between you and me, between near and distant relatives, or between those who were close and those who were far. That was the beginning of a commonwealth of peace and prosperity.

我们做人都要本着这种心理来学佛，你如果有这么大的心量志愿来学佛，佛一定会护持你；你要是不这样去做，你就是念佛、拜佛，然后常常发脾气，这也是无有是处的，于佛教得不到什么利益。

We should study Buddhism with this kind of spirit. If you are studying Buddhism with such a magnanimous spirit and resolve, the Buddha will surely protect and support you. If you do not have this kind of spirit--if you recite the Buddha's name and bow to the Buddha, yet constantly lose your temper, then you will not be able to obtain any benefit from Buddhism.

我不会说什么高谈阔论，只希望每一个人都能把脾气布施出来，这是你真正的布施。你要是不能布施你的脾气，这与佛道一定不相应的。

I do not know how to speak about lofty theories. I simply hope each one of you can give away your temper. That is true giving. If you cannot give away your temper, you will not be able to practice the Buddha's path effectively.

今天我头一次到这儿来和你们各位见面谈话，因为在飞机上没有睡觉，昨天晚上也没有睡觉，今天又有很多人来见我，所以觉得很累。我不多说了，说得太多，你们都忘了，也是没有用的；说得少，你们记住一句，真能去躬行实践，真能去认真行孝悌忠信礼义廉耻，再加上不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不打妄语，这是把佛教的路迈出头一步；第二步你们更应该努力勇猛精进，祝你们各位早成佛道。

Today is the first time I have come here to talk to you. Since I didn't sleep on the plane, didn't get any sleep last night, and had a lot of visitors today, I feel very tired. I will say no more. If I said too much, you would all forget and it would be useless. If I say less and you can remember even just one sentence and truly put it into practice--sincerely practice the virtues of filial piety, fraternal respect, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, justice, modesty, and a sense of shame, as well as not fighting, not being greedy, not seeking, not benefiting yourself, not being selfish, and not lying--this would be the first step in studying Buddhism. The second step is to work hard and advance vigorously. I hope you all attain Buddhahood soon!

一九九三年一月四日
开示于台湾法界佛教印经会

A Dharma talk by Venerable Master Hua at the
Dharma Realm Buddhist Book Distribution Association
in Taiwan on January 4, 1993