示养德
Guidance [On] Nurturing Virtues
学道之人，骨宜刚，气宜柔，志宜大，胆宜小，心宜虚，言宜实，
Of people learning [the] path, [their] spirit should [be] strong, temperament should [be] gentle, aspirations should [be] great, audacity should [be] little, minds should [be] humble, [and] speech should [be] true.
慧宜增，福宜惜，
[Their] wisdom should [be] increasing, [and] blessings should [be] cherished.
虑宜远，思宜近，
[Their] considerations should [be] far, [and] contemplations should [be] near.
事上宜虔，接下宜谦，处同辈宜退让，
Serving [of those] above should [be] reverent, receiving [of those] below should [be] modest, [and] residing [with those of the] same generation, should [be with] retreating [and] yielding.
得意勿恣意奢侈，失意勿抑郁失措，
[Having] attained [that] wished, [there should] not [be] extravagance without restraint, [and having] lost [that] wished, [there should] not [be] despondence, at a loss.
作福莫如惜福，悔过莫如寡过。
[On] creating [of] blessings, [it] would be better [to have] cherishing [of] blessings, [and on] repenting [of] transgressions, [it] would be better [to have] fewer transgressions.
应念身世苦空，切莫随流逐队。
[There] should [be] mindfulness [of the] body [and] world [being of] suffering [and] emptiness. [There] must not [be] following [of that] current, group after group.
衣取蔽形，莫贪齐整。
[For] clothing, choose [what] covers [the] form, [and do] not crave [to look] completely perfect.
食取克馁，莫嗜美味。
[For] food, choose [what] subdues hunger, [and do] not [be] fond [of] delicious flavours.
尝省此世，前生作何功行，可坐享檀施。
Try [to] reflect [in] this life, [that in] past lives, [having] created what meritorious practices, [to be] able [to] sit [and] enjoy [that from] generous benefactors.
十二时恒简点身口意业，善多邪，恶多邪，无记多邪，堪消四事邪，不堪邪。
[In the] twelve periods, constantly examine [the] karmas [of] body, speech [and] mind. [Are they with] good more or not, evil more or not, [the] neutral more or not. [Whether one is] worthy [of] consuming [the] four necessities [of clothing, food and drink, bedding and medicine] or not, not worthy or not.
如此惭愧觉悟修省，自然习气渐消，智光渐露。
Like this [with] repentance [and] awareness cultivating [and] reflecting, naturally [will] habitual forces gradually dissolve, [and] wisdom’s light gradually [be] revealed.
祖意佛意，显于一念清净心中矣。
[The] Patriarchs’ purposes [and the] Buddhas’ intentions, [will be] revealed in one thought within [the] pure mind.
净土宗九祖蕅益大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
《灵峰宗论》
(Spirit Peak Tradition’s Treatise)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
