戒律根本只有一个，就是不自私。人要是有自私心，就会犯戒；若没有自私心，就不会犯戒。同理，人有自私心，就会犯法；没有自私心，就不会犯法。有些人在法律上受到委屈，未得到一个公平的判决，这是因为在往昔所行所做，总将不公平加诸于人，所以他人也以不公平加诸于己。

The precepts are based upon one thing only－unselfishness. If people are selfish, they transgress the precepts; if they are unselfish, they won’t transgress them. By the same token, selfish people break the laws, while unselfish people don’t. Sometimes the law seems to treat certain people unjustly, and those people cannot get a fair trial. That’s because in their past lives they did not treat others fairly, so now they are getting unfair treatment in return.

你应睁开自己的眼睛，把思想整顿一下，看一看，世上的人犯法，实在都是自私心引起来的。所有不守规矩的人，都源于自私。如果没有自私心，则世间法不会犯，出世间的规矩也不会犯。所以若真能实行万佛圣城的六大宗旨──不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄语，则不但能在世间做一个好人，也可以成为出世的圣人。世界乱的原因，就是因为人人自私，未能大公无私。好像有些党派口口声声说是大公无私，可是实际做出来的事，完全是为己的，就这样把世界弄乱了，弄得人人都不平安，有恐惧感。这种种的不平安和恐惧感，都是因为自私心引起的。

You should open your eyes, organize your thoughts, and take a look: Selfishness drives people to break the laws. People who don’t abide by the rules are motivated by selfishness. If they weren’t selfish, they would violate neither worldly nor transcendental laws. And so, if you can truly practice the Six Guidelines of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas－not to contend, not to be greedy, not to seek, not to be selfish, not to pursue personal advantage, and not to lie－then not only will you be a good person in the world, you can also become a sage who transcends the world. The reason the world is in such a mess is that everyone is selfish; people aren’t public-spirited. Some political parties claim that they are working in the public interest, but the things they do are all for their own benefit. That’s why the world is so messed up and people are insecure and afraid. All the fear and insecurity stems from selfishness.

我们现在研究戒律，把戒律明白了，就知道怎样做人。明白做人的本份，也就明白做圣人的本份，所以研究戒律是非常重要的。要想帮助这个世界，我们首先要不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄语，以身作则，做其它人的榜样，这样世界才会一天比一天平安。所以每个星期五学戒律时，要特别虔诚恭敬，才能得到其中的益处。

We are currently studying the precepts. Once we understand the precepts, we will know how to be a person. Once we understand the basis for being a person, we will also understand the basis for being a sage. So, the study of the precepts is very important. In order to help this world, first of all we must not contend, not be greedy, not seek, not be selfish, not pursue personal advantage, and not lie. We should set an example with our own conduct and be a model for other people. In that way, the world will become more peaceful day by day. Therefore, we should be especially sincere and respectful when we study the precepts every Friday, so that we can derive benefit.

一九八四年十月五日开示