在禅堂里要循规蹈矩，不能标异现奇，不能自以为是，而不守禅堂的规矩。要知道禅堂是造圣人（开悟）的处所，不可以破坏道场，令人失去开悟的机会。这一点，凡是参加参禅的人，要特别注意，要严守戒律，不可放逸。

Here in the Chan Hall, we must be orderly and well-mannered; we cannot put on airs or try to stand out. We cannot do as we please and defy the regulations of the Hall. Realize that the Chan Hall is a place where sages are created; thus we may not disturb the Way-place and deprive others of their chance at enlightenment. Those of you who are taking part in the Chan Session should pay attention to this point. You must hold the precepts strictly and not be lax.

参禅的机会是很难得的，千万不可错过。现在大家共同来参禅，这是因为往昔所种下的善根，才有今天的机缘。用功修道的人，遇到打禅七的良好机会，要把握开悟的时机，就是一分一秒的时间也不浪费。不可因为一时的快乐，而躲懒偷安。这样会耽误开悟的机会，又会堕落在三恶道，到时候，后悔也来不及了。所以我说：

莫待苦时方学道，
三涂都是懒惰人。

It's most difficult to get to join in a Chan Session; under no circumstances should we let this chance slip by. All of you have this chance to investigate Chan together only because you planted down good roots many lives ago. Given the opportunity to join in a Chan Session, a hardworking cultivator of the Way will certainly seize the time and won't waste an instant. He'd never let a fleeting moment of pleasure lull him into laziness; if he did, he'd lose his chance to become enlightened and would fall into the Three Evil Destinies. That would certainly bring him regrets, but to no avail. That's why I say:

Don't wait till the pain sets in before you
   decide to cultivate the Way.
The Three Evil Destinies are full of lazy souls.

所以要时时在用功，刻刻在精进。在禅堂里，将话头放在心上，行也参话头，坐也参话头，参来参去，把话头参透了，就见到本来真面目。为什么？因为话头能照破妄想。乃至于上不知有天，下不知有地，中不知有人，哪会有时间去打妄想呢？要晓得妄想就是妄语，对基本的五戒不守，为争而打妄语，为贪而打妄语，为求而打妄语，为自私而打妄语，为自利而打妄语。打妄语就是骗人，自己做错事不承认，还替自己辩护，有这种思想和行为，焉能修道？

So we should work hard and be vigorous in every moment. In the Chan Hall, hang your meditation topic squarely before your mind's eye, and investigate it both when walking and when sitting. Investigate it back and forth until you penetrate right through it. Then you will see your original identity. Why? Because the meditation topic cuts through all idle thoughts. Keep investigating until "you are unaware of the heavens above, the earth below, and the people in between." At that point, how could you have time for idle thoughts? We should realize that idle thinking is simply false speech. We have failed to observe the five basic precepts: we tell lies when we contend; we tell lies when we are greedy; we tell lies as we seek gratification; we tell lies as we are selfish; we tell lies as we chase personal advantages. Telling lies deceives people; we don't want to admit mistakes, so we rationalize for ourselves. How can a person who behaves like this cultivate the Way?

人为什么用功不进步？就因为妄语打得太多了。打一句妄语，就有一百个妄想生出起。这时，坐也坐不住，站也站不稳，这是掉举。不知如何是好，进也不知对不对？退也不知对不对？无所适从，很不如法。

Why would someone who works hard fail to make progress? It comes from having told too many lies in the past. Once you utter a single lie, it stirs up a hundred idle thoughts. Then when you meditate, you won't be able to sit still, nor will you be able to stand firmly. You'll be restless and at a loss: "Should I advance? Should I retreat?" You'll be in a muddle, totally out of harmony with the Dharma.

真正修行人，处处守规矩，时时勤精进，绝对不打妄语，不去攀缘。希望大家不要向打妄语的人学，更不要向不守规矩的人学，这样不但得不到利益，反而受其害。这一点要谨慎，要小心，如果被传染，后患无穷。

Genuine cultivators adhere to the rules in everything they do. They are constantly diligent and would absolutely not tell lies, nor would they ever exploit situations. I hope that you all will not imitate liars and unruly characters. Not only will you fail to benefit from such people, on the contrary, you'll suffer their harm. Be careful, take heed! Once you catch the infection, the results are disastrous.

真正修行人，不怕苦，不怕难，时刻认真在修行，不为外来境界动摇其心。

Real cultivators fear neither suffering nor hardship. They cultivate earnestly at all times and don't allow external situations to disturb their minds.

参！参！参！参到水落石出，就是本地风光。

Investigate! Investigate! Investigate until the waters recede and the rocks appear (the truth is brought to light). Then you will see your original appearance.