今天学生们到台上来说自己读书的心得、处事的感想，虽然说得很短，但是很有意义。他们年龄很小，就知道说谎话是欺骗的行为，自己欺骗人，人会欺骗自己，这是因果循环报应的道理。
Today the students came to the podium and spoke about their impressions and feelings regarding their studies and other activities. Their speeches, though brief, were quite interesting. At such a young age, they already know that telling lies is a form of dishonesty. If they cheat others, others will cheat them in turn: This is the law of cause and effect.
有的学生能将〈礼运大同篇〉背出来，我很高兴。希望所有的学生，不管是中国学生、美国学生、越南学生、柬埔塞学生、寮国学生，都要能背出〈礼运大同篇〉。不但英文能背得出，中文也能背得出。各位老师，请注意！要教他们认识中国字，能说中国话。
I'm very happy that some of the students can recite from memory the “Chapter on the Great Commonwealth of Peace and Prosperity” from the Book of Rites. I hope that every student, whether he or she is Chinese, American, Vietnamese, Cambodian, or Laotian, will memorize the “Chapter on Great Unity.” You should be able to recite it in Chinese as well as English. And teachers, remember, you should teach them to read and speak Chinese.
我今天发表一件消息，凡是难民的子弟，若愿意留在万佛圣城读书，一律欢迎，一切免费，但以学生自己能独立生活为原则。父母可以到外边去做事，子女留在万佛圣城受教育，这是最难得的机会。
Today I want to announce that any of the refugee children who wish to stay at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and attend school here may do so free of charge, as long as they are mature enough to live independently. Parents can work outside the City while their children attend school at the City. This is a very rare opportunity.
学生时期是一生中的黄金时代，记忆力最强，所读的书，应该要背诵，这样才能记得坚固，永远不会忘掉。求学时要发愤读书，不可以贪玩，把宝贵的光阴都空过了。古人说：
Your school years are a “golden age,” because you have a very strong memory at this time. If you memorize your lessons, you will never forget them. You should seek knowledge with great zeal. Don't fool around and waste precious time. The ancients said,
一寸光阴一寸金，
寸金难买寸光阴。
An instant of time is worth
an ounce of gold,
But an ounce of gold can't buy
an instant of time.
你们要记住这句话，你们如果不用功读书，将来前途就没有希望。学生在学校里要学知识、学技能、学做个好人。怎样做好人？就是学没有脾气，不和同学吵架、不争论、不贪求，这就是好学生。你们看世界上的人，都有贪心，都有所求，所有的烦恼，都是由贪心引起的。虽然求，也要合理，不可妄求，不可贪意外之财，不可求非分之福，也不要有自私心、自利心。要以万佛圣城六大宗旨为目标，将来到社会上服务，不但不会扰乱社会，反而能帮助社会的安定。
Keep these words in mind. If you don't study hard, you won't have a bright future. In school, you should not only acquire knowledge and skills, but also learn how to be good people. How can you be good? You must learn not to have a temper, not to argue with your classmates, and not to be greedy. Then you will be good students. People in the world are greedy and seek after things. Affliction arises from greed. Don't seek unreasonable things. Don't be greedy to hit the jackpot; don't crave blessings that aren't meant to be yours. Don't be selfish and seek personal gain. Take the Six Principles of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas as your guidelines. Then you will help the society be peaceful, instead of causing disorder.
我希望你们学做正人君子，光明磊落，将来成为出乎其类、拔乎其萃的人才。不要学流氓无赖的作风，好吃懒做，到处惹事生非，令社会不安宁。更希望你们不要学嬉皮的行为，不要吸毒，不要喝酒。要充实自己的学问，成为品学兼优的学生。在万佛圣城受教育，能学英文，能学中文，能学各国语文，这是得天独厚的机会，不要错过，应把握时机，努力学习。
I hope you will all learn to be righteous and virtuous people. You should be bright and true in all you do. Be outstanding people. Don't learn the ways of tramps and bums, lazy gluttons who stir up trouble and disturb the peace wherever they go. Even less should you act like hippies. Don't take drugs or drink alcohol. Instead, you should acquire broad knowledge and excel in virtue as well as scholarship. In the schools of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, you have the opportunity to learn English, Chinese, and many other languages. You should take advantage of this special opportunity. Study hard and use your time well.
以后规定每周五的下午，学生们到台上来练习演讲。大家不要害怕，把声音放大，理直气壮地说，说出的话要有道理。所谓“熟能生巧”，练习时间久了，自然就能滔滔不绝地说出一番大道理，成为演说家，一定受人欢迎。现在是给你们练习的机会，日后能够口若悬河，头头是道，宣扬真理，就能成为弘法人才。这个大好时机是不容易遇到的，不要辜负我一番苦心。古人说：
Every Friday afternoon, students can come up to the podium to practice speaking in public. Don't be nervous. Let your voice carry, and speak as if you mean what you say. Your speech should make sense. After some practice, you will naturally become an articulate and well-respected speaker. You have the chance to practice speaking now, so that in the future, you will be able to explain the principles so eloquently that your listeners become spellbound. Then you will be able to propagate the Dharma. This is a very special opportunity, and I hope you won't disappoint me. The ancients said,
书山有路勤为径，
学海无涯苦做舟。
Only through diligent study can one find
a path through the mountains of books.
Only with strenuous effort can one sail
the shoreless ocean of learning.
如果能用这种精神去用功学习，将来对国家定能有所贡献。
If you can study hard with that kind of spirit, you will surely make great contributions to the country in the future.
一九八三年九月廿三日开示
A talk given on September 23, 1983
