Disclaimer: The translations are not official nor endorsed by 2OR, so please just treat it as a ‘fan-based’ translation. The Buddha-Dharma is profound. No matter how you convey it, it won’t be completely perfect. Because the Buddha-Dharma is an experience, it’s an awakening 【佛法深奥无比，怎么写，都不会是究竟圆满。佛法是一种悟】. Please enjoy, and I hope it serves as a good filler until the official English version comes out.
师父曾经跟大家讲过，虎年新年一过，有很多问题。为什么，这就叫天时。天时、地利、人和实际上就是讲的天地人。老虎的图腾是非常凶的，所以，很多属虎的男人和女人命根都很硬。虎年人类会有很多麻烦。师父前几次课已经讲过这些问题。常言道，“多事之秋”。但是我们人也要在恶环境中忍耐，要好好修啊。天时不管人的因素继续向前走，当轮回到一个好的年份的时候，大家都开开心心，轮到一个不好的年份，大家都不开心。很多人在节目中问师父，“卢台长，住在一个倒霉的地方，每个人都倒霉吗？”基本上是这样。
Master mentioned this before; when the Chinese New Year period of the year of the Tiger is over, many problems will arise. Why so? That’s because the maturation rate of karmic consequences is quicker. Tiger totems are very fierce; that’s why those who are born in the year of the Tiger are very dominating, and so they would invite a lot of troubles. In adverse conditions, we must learn to forbear with it. One must properly cultivate. Time will continue to move, indifferent with whatever happens to you. When we arrive at a good year, everybody is happy; if everybody arrives at a bad year, then everybody will be unhappy. It’s the same principle as if everybody lives in an unfortunate area; then all the residents will be unfortunate.
“那么同样生肖的人，他们是不是有同样的命运啊？”基本上是，只不过有百分比的问题。四川汶川地震，几十万人死了，但也有很多幸运人存活下来。就在这个倒霉的地方。同样是各种生肖的人，你去看看，很多不好属相人的命，就比较苦一些。这是没有办法的事情。虽然现在医学先进了，不想生属相不好的孩子，可以剖腹产，还可以挑时间。你们以为可以改变他的整体命运吗？实际上，就算是剖腹产提前生出改变了属相，这个人还是比较苦命。这里面有时辰问题，也有灵性过去的罪业问题，台长只是举个例子，才导致了这种情况。要好好修啊。
You may ask, “What about those born in the same year, do they have the same fate?” Fundamentally, yes, but the influence is but a small fraction. When the Sichuan earthquake occurred, in this unfortunate event, hundreds of thousands died, but many people luckily survived. With the same principle, just let at others with different birth signs, those with unfavourable birth signs will experience more hardships than others. These are things that can’t be helped. Although medical science is advanced now, and children who are about to be born in less favourable birth signs could have their birth time manipulated by caesarean section, do you think you could change their overall destiny? In reality, even though they may be given birth via C-section, their life is still going to be hard. There remains an issue with the birth hour, interference by foreign spirits and past karma. Master is only using this as an example. You must properly cultivate.
一个人的相很重要。大家看看，过去师父的徒弟中，修心修得越来越善良的，这个人就越来越好。修得不好的话，脸相就会变。师父告诉你们，修心补相，相随心变。很简单，坏人就是坏相，好人就是好相。有两种情况不能够断定的，一种是本来就是坏人，但是他开始学佛了，开始好了，他的脸还没有完全变好。你看他的时候，是张坏脸，其实人家已经开始变好了。
A person’s outer appearance is important. Take a look at Master’s disciples. Those who cultivated themselves to be more kind-hearted generally look more pleasant. Those who didn’t cultivate well remains the same. Master expounds that cultivation of the mind influences the form, as the form changes according to one’s mind. It’s very simple. Evil people possess an evil form; good people possess a good form. But there are two circumstances that make this statement not absolute. One is that when the person was originally evil, but they have started to learn Buddhism and have begun to make reforms to themselves, their facial appearance has not completely improved. When you look at them, they still look aggressive, but they are getting better.
还有一种人，他是好人的脸，但是他开始变坏了，他的脸还没有完全变坏，这时候他最能够迷惑人，他就利用他干干净净的脸去骗人家。所以，人的相很重要。真正懂道理的人要学会看相。举个例子，一个人每天有三个小时犯愁，一年下来，他有多少个小时犯愁？猛一看他的脸，就是一张忧愁的脸。天天骂人的人，一看就是一张骂人的脸。相随心变。良心好的人，相也变好；良心不好的人，相也不好。
The second is when a good person starts to become evil, so their face has not completely changed. At that time, they still look charming, so they could use their good looks to cheat others. That’s why a person’s form is important. Those who understand the principles would go and learn face reading. Here’s an example, if a person gets very depressed for 3 hours every day, then in a year, how many hours were they in depression? When you look at them, and you will see a haggard face. If a person scolds at others every day, then they would look aggressive. One’s form changes in accordance with one’s mind. Those who possess a good conscience will look good and vice versa.
你们很多徒弟修到后来都会看相。这个女人进来，这个男人进来，你看看他的样子像好人，还是像坏人。师父不教你们这个，是怕你们有分别心，去救人的时候，因为他的相差一点、难看一点，你就不去救他了，你就失去了救他的机会。不要拿相去看人，要实实在在地看人家的本性怎样。师父现在教你们是要看人心，而不是看人相。
Many of you disciples would be able to discern forms after you’ve cultivated to a certain level. When a man or woman enters the rooms, look at their appearance and see if they look like a good person or not. Master didn’t teach you about it because he’s afraid that you would become discriminative when you go and help others. If you see somebody who looks bad, then you might not go and help them and lose the chance to save them. You mustn’t judge others by how they look; you must observe their inner nature.
刚过新年，很多事情要出来了，麻烦出来了。这个灾难，那个麻烦准不准，用不着师父讲，灵不灵，也用不着师父讲，你们自己好自为之。师父再三跟你们讲，天时不对了，人心太恶，现在救人只能快，而且要付出多，不能再像过去那样了。你要想进步，你就必须舍弃很多东西，你要是不能舍弃很多东西，你就进步慢，你就有拖累，精进修心就慢。
The New Year period is over, so many things and troubles will start to emerge. You better look out for yourself. Things are getting quicker while the human mind is becoming increasingly unwholesome. Saving others must be done quickly, and also the effort you put in must be greater. You can’t act the same as before. If you want to improve, then you must let go of many things. If you can’t, then your rate of improvement will be slow. Then you’ll feel tired and become less diligent in cultivating your mind.
举个例子，你想考进大学，你就少睡觉。修心也是这样，你不付出，你怎么能够进步啊。每年师父把精力全部放在修心救人上面，直到今天，师父每天干活、每天讲，有多少人心疼师父，还有多少人说，“你不要去这么救人啦。你身体不好，饭又不能好好吃，你怎么救人？”如果一个人早点修，到晚年的时候帐都还清了，就不会生病痛苦了。
Here’s an example: if you want to be admitted to your desired university, then you must study hard and sleep less. Cultivation of the mind is the same. If you don’t put in the effort, how could you improve? Every year, Master puts all his energy into cultivation and saving others. He ceaselessly works and speaks. Many people are concerned with him and say things like, “Don’t save others anymore. Your body is bad, and you don’t eat your meals properly, how could you save others?” If a person cultivates sooner, then in their later years, they will be able to repay all their karmic debts, and so won’t suffer any diseases.
一个人想好，真正为家里人好，就不要只看到眼前这点小利益。和尚、尼姑出家时都是许过大愿的，都有大无畏的牺牲精神，他们都是抛开了家庭和很多东西的。净空法师为什么受到这么多人的尊敬啊。他本来也有家庭的，看看他现在什么都没有了，就是一个大和尚。他把别人的供养款捐给更需要帮助的人。哪个人想救渡众生不需要付出啊！
If you want to be well, and want your family to be well, then don’t just look at short-term gains. When monks and nuns left their family, they made a great vow. They all possessed a spirit of great fearlessness and sacrifice. They were willing to abandon their family and many other things. Why do so many people respect Master Chin Kung? He originally had a family, but now he has nothing. He’s just a monk. He donated and gave away the offering he received to others who are needier. Can you name one person who saves others without needing to give?
不付出的，叫人。你付出了，你得到了，就是菩萨。但是要记住，你付出要对路，付出不对路，就没用。过去师父都是早出晚归，搞社团工作，你得到的都是虚名，得到的利益全是假的。现在师父救人，开心啊。师父一到做节目的时候，就兴奋起来。看到你们这些贤徒，师父也很开心。每个人家里都有痛苦，但是只能把痛苦先压下来，为了某一个目的去做。过去，很多农村的青年白天下地干活，晚上做作业，到最后考上大学，走了。虽然，他们那些年是痛苦得不得了，但是他们有所得，而且成功了。多少人冲锋陷阵，拿生命换来了他的官位，最后又拿自己的名誉和地位进入监牢。人生所有的一切全部是自己做出来的。正反都一样，哪有不付出的？
Those who don’t give are secular people. If you give, you will receive, you’re a Bodhisattva. But take note, your almsgiving must be done genuinely and sincerely. If not, then it’s no use. Master has always been somebody who goes to work early and leaves late. He did many association works, but what’s gained are just empty titles. Everything he received was fake. Now when he goes out and saves others, he feels greater happiness. When he’s doing his radio programme, he becomes excited. When he looks at good disciples, he’s also very happy. Every family experiences suffering. They can only suppress it. In the past, many young people in rural areas work during the day and do their homework at night. In the end, they managed to go to university. Although they had to go through a lot of hardship during those years, they managed to pull through and succeed. Many people risk their lives to get to the position they want. Everything in life is achieved from one’s effort. Who doesn’t have to put in the effort?
菩萨说的，人道是烦恼道。你投生时哇哇地一哭到了人间，烦恼就开始了，一直到死。谁能脱离烦恼？等我孩子大了，我怎么样怎么样；等我工作了，我怎么样；等我结婚了，我怎么样；等我平静一点，我怎么样。你们告诉我，哪一天你们会平静啊？刚刚什么都好了一点，接下来身体又不好了。孩子刚大了一点，可以松口气了，接下来呢，孩子又要考学了。
The Bodhisattvas said that the Human Realm is a realm of afflictions. From the day you were born and cried, your afflictions have begun and will continue until the day you pass away. Who could escape from their afflictions? You may have reasoned before that when your children have grown up; you will be this and that. When you go to work, you will be this. When you are married, you will be that. When you’ve finally settled, you will be this. So tell me, when will there be a day when you will settle? When everything’s finally ok, then a problem suddenly arises. When your child has grown slightly bigger, so you relax a little, next, he has to go to school.
你哪天忙得完啊。等到变成老太太快死了，你还要帮着带孙子。多少老人家到澳大利亚来，看着儿子媳妇的脸吃饭，最后还要领孩子。人的一辈子忙不完的。人的一辈子操劳，一辈子苦啊。今天感情运不好，明天家里闹，后天没钱被人家告上了，哪一天人会平安啊。我们活在一个什么样的世界里啊。还有人告诉师父，下辈子还想投人呢。说这辈子人穷，说下辈子能够投在一个有钱人家就可以了。还是不开悟。
When will you finally finish all your tasks? When you become an old lady and close to death, you still have to help take care of your grandchildren. Many old people came to Australia and had to face the contempt of their children and their spouses. In the end, they also had to take care of their children. Everyone is busy in their entire lifetime, and they face a lifetime of suffering. One day, you may have broken up with your boyfriend, then in another day, you have an argument at home, and in the next, you may be sued even though you have no money. Is there any day of rest? That is the world we are living in. Some people also told Master that they want to be reborn as a human in their next life. They said that they were poor for their whole life, and they want to be born in a wealthier family in the next life. That shows that they’re still unawakened.
你们是师父的徒弟也好，是师父的旁听生也好，师父对你们的要求是相当的严格。你们全部不修都没有关系，不能损害师父一点点的功德，是你们失去了机会。一个成熟的人必须讲道理，道理不是打出来的，也不是在嘴巴里说出来的，道理在你诚实的心里。有什么道理可讲？嘴巴讲得天花乱坠也没有用，真正善良的人用诚实的心去理解道理，那才叫真理。
Whether you are Master’s disciples or just a listener, Master’s requirements of you are quite strict. If none of you cultivates, it doesn’t matter, but don’t hinder or cause harm to Master’s meritorious deeds. It’s you who have lost your chance. A mature person must be sensible, reasonable. Arguments are not won by physical or verbal fights but with frankness. What kind of reason could you argue with? It’s useless, no matter how you sugarcoat it. A truly kind-hearted person would use frankness to understand other people’s reason, that’s the true principle.
师父今天给你们讲一切法。如果我们修心修法学佛法，想要成功有待于忍耐。一个能够忍的人，才能够成功。如果你没有忍耐，你活在这个世界上，你什么都做不成功的。今天你想不通，我明天再跟你谈，明天你想不通，我后天再跟你谈。当年中国解放战争的时候，很多地方为了避免老百姓遭殃，是自动投诚的。很多将领为了保护老百姓不受炮火的摧残，很多地下工作人员今天去谈，明天去谈，后天再去谈，一直谈到对方不再顽抗，愿意和平解放。这样老百姓的伤亡就减少很多。这些将官也免于灾祸，这些劝导工作才能成功。所以，要有耐心，不停地讲，不停地解释，不停地沟通，这是很重要的。
To gain success in cultivation and your learning of Buddhism, one can’t do without patience. A person who’s patient will achieve success. Otherwise, you won’t. If you couldn’t persuade somebody today, you’ll try again tomorrow. If you fail again tomorrow, then you’ll try again on the following day. During the time of China’s war of liberation, many cities and areas surrendered themselves to avoid its citizens from being embroiled in the war. Also, many leaders and their subordinates went to negotiate with the other party. They didn’t want the civilians to be involved in the crossfire. So they were persistent until the other party no longer resisted, and was willing to liberate peacefully. That way, casualties would be minimised, and those government officials also avoided a calamity. It was their persistence and patience that led them to success. That’s why you must be patient. You must keep talking, keep explaining, and keep communicating. That’s very important.
大家知道，菩萨经常给我们讲六度。六度里有一个很重要的一度，叫忍辱。今天师父把忍辱拿出来讲，就是师父有徒弟不能忍耐。小不忍，则乱大谋。菩萨讲六度时特别重申的一个问题就是要忍耐。菩萨讲的是布施与忍辱，一定要懂布施和忍辱。修心成败的关键在于忍辱。但是真正的菩萨把忍辱不看作忍辱，修到最后成为自然的，不觉得自己在忍辱。如果觉得自己还在忍辱，那叫着相。真正的忍辱是不把它看成忍辱了，即非辱何来忍呢？能够忍辱的人，才能够精进啊。如果不能忍辱，就精进不了。
The Bodhisattvas regularly mention the Six Paramitas. The most important Paramita is forbearance. Master expounds about it because many of disciples are not patient enough. Want of forbearance in small matters confounds great plans. When the Bodhisattvas expounded the Six Paramitas, they especially emphasised the importance of forbearance. The crux of one’s success or failure of one’s cultivation is one’s ability to forbear and be patient. But in reality, their definition of forbearance is not one where you have to think about being patient intentionally. It is one where once you’ve cultivated to a certain level, you don’t even feel that you have to be patient. If you still feel that you must be patient, that is an ‘attachment to forms’. If one doesn’t feel shame or hardship, why does one need to be patient? Those who can forbear will be diligent. Otherwise, they won’t.
接下来，师父告诉你们忍辱有三大类。今天，你们都是师父的徒弟，师父对你们的要求非常高，不许你们的思维里有一丝一毫的杂念。一个人修得好，修得坏，不是你自己能控制的，因为你不是医生，你根本不知道自己生了什么病。师父帮你们指出毛病，指出缺点，就是让你们知道怎样去改，师父每天、每日、每时都在纠正你们身上的毛病，很不容易啊。师父说了，只要想学佛的人，师父一定会关心的。家家有本难念的经，把这本经好好地念，随缘。难道坐在这里不吵架的人，心中就没气吗？难道坐在这里不骂人的人，心中就不想骂人吗？一定要彻底改变自己的习性，归依佛法。
Next, Master expounds that there are three kinds of forbearance. Since you are Master’s disciples, his requirements of you are very high, and he won’t allow your thoughts to have a single shred of distracting thoughts. Whether you can cultivate well or badly isn’t something that you can control. That’s because you’re not a doctor, you don’t know what kind of illness you have. Master is here to point out your shortcomings and your flaws, so you know what you must reform. Every day and every hour, he’s doing that, it’s not easy. He said before that as long as you want to learn Buddhism, he will care about you. Everybody has their own problems that are difficult to explain. Go with the flow. Could it be that none of you ever get angry and scold at others? Could it be that none of you had said spiteful words at others inside your mind? You must reform your habitual behaviour completely and see refuge in the Buddha-Dharma.
要记住，学佛的人跟人家不一样，你必须忍耐。否则，就不是学佛人。想干嘛就干嘛，忍耐不了，就是意志不坚，佛性不强，修得很差，看不穿，人家骂你的话，耳朵全部听进了，就会起瞋念。师父再三教你们障耳法，不要让耳朵听见。在人间什么东西听不见不是很好吗？要听见干嘛。听见了、看见了，就会生出烦恼。鼻子闻到会生烦恼，嘴巴讲话会生烦恼。烦恼都是自己搞来的。
Take note, Buddhists are different from secular people; you must forbear. Otherwise, you can’t call yourself a Buddhist. If you just do whatever you want to do and lack patience, it means that your willpower is not firm, your Buddha-nature is weak, and you’ve cultivated badly as you can’t see things thoroughly. When others scold you, you’ve accepted everything they said and developed hatred. Master has taught you to learn to block the things you hear. If you didn’t hear the things that triggered you, isn’t that good? When you see the things you don’t want to see, hear the things you don’t want to hear, smell the things you don’t want to smell, and say the things you don’t want to say, don’t afflictions arise?
什么事情能够影响我修心、念经啊。认准一条路，好好修下去，修到后来，菩萨都会保佑你的，让你开智慧，让你工作顺利，让你什么都好。修心尤如种因，要是因种得不好，你才会有这个恶果。为什么我西瓜种不出来啊，你自己去查查原因，人家怎么种出西瓜了？为什么人家的肠胃很好，你的肠胃不好？就是因为你乱吃东西。为什么人家都恨你，就是因为你乱讲话，乱骂人。
What is there to help us with our cultivation? That’s sutra recitation. Focus on the path you want to take and properly cultivate it until the Bodhisattvas bless you, develop your wisdom, make your career smooth-sailing and make you blessed. Cultivation of the mind is like sowing a seed. If you didn’t sow it right, you would receive an unwholesome karmic fruit. Why do you fail at growing watermelons? Go and find out the reason why others succeed at growing it. Why is it that other’s people gut is good while yours is bad? It’s because you ate things you shouldn’t do. Why do others hate you? It’s because you offended them.
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