各位小朋友！你们应该效法圣人，效法贤人，效法顶天立地大丈夫，效法古今中外大英雄。应效法他们的人格、道德，效法他们的学问、佛业。

Young friends! You should take the sages, worthy ones, great men of indomitable spirit, and ancient and contemporary heroes of all countries as your role models. Emulate them in their character, their virtue, their knowledge, and their Buddhist deeds.

你们现在是学习时期，在课堂学习知识和技能，在课外训练道德和人格。丰富知识健全人格，将来可做一番轰轰烈烈的大事业，为全世界人类谋幸福。所谓“练达人情皆学问”，处处都要有经验，能有进步，不要怕失败，失败是成功之母。

You are now in the stage of learning: In the classroom you acquire knowledge and skills, and outside the classroom you develop your virtue and character. Expand your knowledge and strengthen your integrity, and in the future you’ll accomplish great things and contribute to the happiness and welfare of all humankind. As it’s said, “Tactfulness in human relationships is also a form of knowledge.” You must gain experience in all aspects of life; be capable and make progress in all areas. Don’t be afraid of failure, for failure is the mother of success.

青年人要有一股英雄的气概，浩气冲天的威仪，将来必定能成为演说家，杰出的弘法人才。

Young people should have a heroic spirit and a gallant and noble bearing. That way you will certainly become great speakers and outstanding propagators of the Dharma.

你们现在正是打基础的时期，不但要把学问的基础打好，也要把人格的基础打好，人格的基础比学问的基础更为重要。古人说：“圣人不死，大乱不止。”人有学问没有人格，可以造反，为害国家，使全天下大乱，所以要培养高尚的人格，将来为人类服务，定能利益众生。

Now is the time for you to build your foundation. You should build a good foundation not only of knowledge, but also of character. The foundation of your character is more important than the foundation of knowledge. The ancients said, “Sages never die, and chaos never ceases.” People who have knowledge but lack good character will be rebellious, and that will harm the country and cause chaos throughout the world. We must develop a noble character, so that in the future we can serve humanity and definitely benefit living beings.

欲奠定人格的基础，先要说正直的话，不要说假话。切记！不说讨人欢喜的话，不说违背良心的话。该说话时，一定要说；不应该说话时，一定不要说。要知道“言多必失”的道理。所谓“病从口入，祸从口出。”谨之！慎之！

To establish the foundation of character we should first of all speak truthfully, never falsely. Remember this! Don’t say things just to please people, and don’t say anything that goes against your conscience. When it’s time for you to talk, then talk; when it’s time for you to remain silent, don’t talk. You should know that “he who talks a lot, errs a lot.” It’s also said, “Diseases enter through the mouth; misfortunes issue from it.” So be careful!

孟子给我们立下人格三大标准。他说：

Mencius set three great standards for character. He said,

富贵不能淫，
贫贱不能移，
威武不能屈。

When wealthy, I will not indulge;
When poor, I will not compromise
     my principles;
When intimidated, I will not submit.

在富贵的时候，要守规矩，也就是不淫乱。在贫贱的时候，不改变志气，也就是不被境界所转。在威武势力压迫之下，不屈服不投降，也就是名利来诱惑也不变节。要有这种至大至刚做人的志气，才能成为一个有用的人。

When you are wealthy, be self-disciplined and refrain from licentiousness. When in poverty, don’t alter your resolve; that is, don’t be influenced by circumstances. When oppressed by those with power, don’t cower or surrender. Faced with the lure of fame or benefit, don’t compromise your integrity. With such adamantine determination to be an ethical person, you will be able to make useful contributions to the world.

一九八三年九月四日
对学生开示于万佛圣城