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The Fifteen Disciplines
Translated by Derek Lin
一、尊敬仙佛─
道真、理真、天命真,則仙佛亦真,如有一不真,則其餘皆非矣。既認真修
行,仙佛豈可不尊敬。祭如在,祭神如神在。心存於正,仙佛無時不與吾同在。
1. Revere the Buddhas
The Tao is real, the Truth is real, the Heavenly Decree is real, therefore
the Buddhas are also real. If any of the above is not real, the rest would also be
false.
Since we are cultivating ourselves with serious intent, we cannot be
disrespectful to the Buddhas. We revere them as if they are present. If our
hearts are in the right place, the Buddhas will always be with us.
二、遵前提後─
人都有其前人,也都有其後學。對於前人應尊敬其德,必遵從其教誨。對於
後學應循循善誘,提攜其進行。
2. Respect the seniors and mentor the novices
In Tao cultivation, we all have people who went before us and those who
follow after us. We should defer to the virtues of the senior cultivators and
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listen to their teachings. We should also look after new Tao cultivators, and
patiently guide them on the right path.
三、齋莊中正─
齋戒自心,莊嚴其行,守正不阿,正直不屈。
3. Be restrained, dignified, centered and principled
We should restrain and discipline ourselves, act with proper dignity, hold
to the center, and maintain principles without compromise.
四、循規蹈矩─
循規可使圓,蹈矩可作方。遵循道中一切規矩,可修道不踰矩,而成方圓自
如之君子。
4. Follow rules and observe boundaries
Following rules can make one well-rounded. Observing boundaries
can make one morally upright. If we follow all the rules in the Tao, we can
cultivate without crossing boundaries, and become the honorable person who
can be both well-rounded and morally upright.
五、責任負起─
既是修道士便負有天職,「仁以為己任」是也。確實負起,可免虛有其位之
譏。
5. Accept responsibilities
Since we are Tao cultivators, we have a heavenly task to be benevolent.
We need to take on this responsibility with sincerity, so that we would not be
remiss in our duties.
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六、重聖輕凡─
大我宜重,小我宜輕,明理者皆悉,故必須重聖輕凡。然時間用之於凡事者
多,用之於聖事者少,要在有聖事待辦時,不因凡事而誤之也。
6. Emphasize the divine over the mundane
Enlightened people all understand that the greater whole is the most
important, while personal affairs are not as important. That is why we must
emphasize the divine over the mundane. Although we usually spend more time
on mundane matters than divine duties, we need to make sure that mundane
will not interfere with the divines
七、謙恭和藹─
對上謙恭有禮,必受教益。對下和藹提攜,必受敬愛。
7. Be courteous and kind
If we can be humble and courteous to the older generation, we will receive
the benefit of their teachings. If we can be nurturing and kind to the younger
generation, we will earn their love and respect.
八、勿棄聖訓─
仙佛揮筆訓誨,敬重之惟恐不及,何可亂棄。謹慎保存,亦可免招魔考。
8. Do not discard the sacred admonitions
The messages written by the Buddhas are to be valued and cherished.
They must never be discarded. Keep them with care, for they have the power
to protect us against being tested by temptations.
九、莫著形相─
著相修行,常被相縛,豈能超脫。是理即信,是道則進,是天命即拜,其餘
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即不著也。
9. Do not obsess over appearances
If we are too attached to appearance, it will tie us down and keep us from
being able to transcend beyond. If it is the Truth, we should have faith in it;
if it is the Tao, we should advance upon it; if it is the Heavenly Decree, we
should revere it. Nothing else matters.
十一、出告反面─
有事遠行必報告長上,懇求慈悲指示,外出回來必面報經過,使長上安心。
11. Departing and returning
We should let the seniors know before going on a journey, and ask for
their words of advice. We should also let them know when we return safely, so
they wouldn’t worry about us.
十二、不亂系統─
金線系統,有條不紊。領導不躐等,請示不越級。要一以貫之。
12. Do not disrupt the system
Our Golden Thread system maintains order, so that leaders and followers
never overstep their boundaries. This is a principle that runs through
everything we do.
十三、愛惜公物─
公壇用品、贈閱經書,均稱公物,皆出自道親行功。該用時不吝嗇,不該用
則一針一線也要愛惜。
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13. Protect public property
Items meant for public use, such as books to be given away, belong to
everyone. They come from the resources donated by fellow Tao cultivators.
Let us not be stingy when we use them for a good cause. At the same time,
when it is not necessary to use them, we should not waste anything, not even a
needle or a thread.
十四、活潑應事─
活潑玲瓏乃良知本能,道中辦事,貴在活潑臨應,覺道務壇務有所不足,即
應自動設法扶圓。
14. Be lively in handling affairs
Being energetic and upbeat is natural for the positive mind. When we
work on tasks in the Tao, we should value this active, dynamic approach.
When we sense there is something missing or imperfect, we should have the
initiative to take action and find solutions.
十五、謹言慎行─
可與之言而不與之言,謂之失人;不可與之言而與之言,謂之失言,君子不
失人亦不失言。戰兢慎行,臨淵履薄,惟恐行有不端致敗大事也。
15. Be cautious in words and actions
If we remain quiet when we should say something, we may miss the
chance to communicate. If we talk when we should remain quiet, we may
miscommunicate. A man of honor does make such mistakes. He proceeds
cautiously, as if standing by a cliff or over thin ice, because he understands that
loose talk and improper conduct can lead to failure.
For more discussions on the Tao, please visit www.TrueTao.org
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