我们人有六种知觉性：眼能见、耳能听、鼻能嗅、舌能尝、身能触、意能思想。因为人是万物之灵，所以具有这六种官能，其它的动物组织就没有那么复杂。

People have six kinds of perceptive faculties: the eyes can see, the ears can hear, the nose can smell, the tongue can taste, the body can feel, and the mind can think. Being the most intelligent of creatures, human beings are endowed with these six faculties. The physical make-up of other animals is not as complex as that of humans.

我们吃饭、穿衣、睡觉，就像汽车要加汽油。汽车走多了路，就要加油，我们人将能源消耗多了，也要补充。所以人吃饭，就是帮助身体的新陈代谢。食物在人体内发生一股热力、一股能源，能帮助我们一切的活动。但实际上，食物的精华很少，所以就要不断地补充。譬如，早上吃了，到午间又饿了；午间吃了，到晚上又要再吃。睡的时候也不停地消耗能源，所以睡醒了又要吃早餐。

We need food, clothing, and sleep, just as a car needs gasoline to run. After traveling many miles, the car needs to be re-fueled. Likewise, when we people have used up our energy, we need to replenish it. That’s why we need to eat--to help sustain the metabolism of our body. Food generates heat and energy in our body, helping it to carry out all its activities. However, because the part of the food that gives us energy is actually a very small portion, we have to constantly replenish ourselves. For instance, we eat breakfast in the morning, but by noon we’re hungry again; we eat lunch, but by evening we need to eat again. Even when we sleep, we’re still using energy, so when we wake up, we’re ready for breakfast again.

我们是如何消耗这些能源的？我们的眼见色，那是在消耗能源；耳听声，也在消耗能源；鼻闻香，也在消耗能源；乃至舌尝味、身觉触、意念在思想，这都是在消耗能源呢！所以我们一举一动，一言一行，无不是在消耗能源。如果你不是消耗太多，适可而止，身体就会保持健康。但若是消耗太多，身体便会发生故障。譬如吃得太多，太营养丰富，或者吃了有毒的东西，这都会令身体发生毛病。所以我们无论行住坐卧，一举一动，都要非常小心，不要无缘无故地浪费能源，以致伤害自己的身体及精神，这一点是很重要的！

How does our energy get used up? When our eyes look at forms, that takes energy. When the ears listen to sounds, it also uses energy. The nose smells scents, and that uses up energy as well. The tongue tastes flavors, the body feels sensations, and the mind cognizes and reflects－all these things exhaust our energy! Every movement we make and every word we say uses energy. If we use our energy in moderation and don’t drain it completely, our body will be healthy. If we use too much, our body will malfunction. For instance, if we eat too much, eat food that is too rich, or eat something poisonous, it will make our body sick. So, in everything we do, whether we are moving or still, sleeping or awake, we should be very careful. We shouldn’t waste our energy for no good reason, or we will injure our body and mind. This is very important.

小朋友！现在是你们的黄金时代，也是你们生命中的春天。春天时万物欣欣向荣，朝气蓬勃。但我们要顺其自然去生长，合乎生理的程序，切记不要乱吃乱喝，或乱讲话，或者饮酒、吃毒药，乃至乱看、乱听、乱尝、乱嗅、乱触、乱想，这样就会损害你的身体及灵性。

Young friends! This is your golden age. It is also the spring of your life. In the springtime, everything flourishes and is full of energy. However, we should accord with our body’s natural physical development as we grow up. We should choose our food and drink with care. We shouldn’t talk recklessly, consume alcoholic drinks, or take drugs. We should not carelessly look at, listen to, taste, smell, touch, or think about improper things, for that would hurt our body and spirit.

你会运用这六种官能，身体就健康；不会用，身体就会随时罢工，与你分家。分家了，便没得吃、没得穿、没有房子睡了。所以大家要好好爱护珍惜这个身体，不要醉生梦死，走到极危险的歧路上。在《孝经》上说：“身体发肤，受之父母，不敢毁伤，孝之始也。”不要随随便便把自己的身体弄坏，要好好地珍惜它，否则便无颜见父母了。父母生我、育我，我们不好好珍惜身体，那是对父母最不孝的行为。

If you know how to use your six faculties well, you’ll be healthy. If you don’t, your body may go on strike and abandon you at any time. Then you won’t be able to eat, wear clothes, or sleep anymore. So, everyone should take good care of their body. Don’t live as if you are dreaming or drunk, and endanger yourself. The Classic of Filial Piety says, “Our body, hair, and skin are given by our parents. We should not injure them. This is the beginning of filial piety.” We should cherish our bodies, and not carelessly injure them. Otherwise, we won’t be able to face our parents. Our parents gave birth to us and raised us; if we fail to take care of our bodies, we are being most unfilial to our parents.

一九八四年一月五日开示