One day in a monk’s life is one day of work. No matter who we are or what status and role we play, as long as we are diligent and responsible, taking hold of the precious present moment, then we protect our spiritual environment. 做一天和尚撞一日鐘，在什麼樣的身分、職位和角色 ，就要盡心盡力、盡責盡分，便是把握當下，就是心 靈環保。 - Master Sheng Yen

As long as gratitude fills our hearts, and we are diligent, then we can be like a tube for blood transfusion—we receive nourishment from our predecessors and we also transport the nourishment we have to future generations. To do this is to fulfill our duty. 凡事心存感恩，努力當下，把自己當成是承先啟後的 「輸血管」，一方面接受先人的養分，也把自己的養 分往下傳，就是善盡生命之責。 As - Master Sheng Yen

Even though our individual lives are miniscule, as long as we can fully utilize our strengths and develop our capabilities with utmost effort, then we will fulfill our roles of inheriting the past and inspiring the future of civilization. 個人生命雖然渺小，只要發揮所能所長，克盡一己之 力，就是扮演了人類歷史承先啟後的角色。 - Master Sheng Yen

There is usefulness in the talents we were born with. When each of us is born, we bring to this world our life purpose and capacities. Our "usefulness" is measured by our ability to contribute to humanity in the history of our times and to the whole of society. -天生我材必有所用，每個人出生時，就已帶著責任和 價值來到世上。這份「用處」，是對人類歷史負責， 對全體社會盡責。 - Master Sheng Yen

The real value of life comes from offering ourselves to others; this is where we grow and form connections with others. - 人生的價值在於奉獻，在奉獻之中成長，廣結善緣。 - Master Sheng Yen

We hope to have health, happiness, and harmony for ourselves, and we wish that others may have the same. Self-referentiality exists here, but it is very different from selfishness. Such an attitude of benefitting others is known as Bodhi-mind or bodhichitta. 我們希望自己健康、快樂、平安，也希望他人健康、 快樂、平安的這種願心，其中也有自我中心，但與自 私的自我中心不同，乃是利他的菩提心。 - Master Sheng Yen

Transcending individual concerns for gain and loss, you will be able to regard society's and humanity's gain and loss as your own concern. 如果能超越個人的利害得失，便會把整體社會、全人 類的利害得失，當成是自己的利害得失。- Master Sheng Yen

If you can transcend selfish and self-serving attitudes, along with thoughts of your own gain and loss, then your heart will truly be open and receptive. Concerns for your own gain and loss will also decrease. 超越了自私自利、利害得失的自我中心，就能讓心胸 開闊、包容心增加，得失心也就減少了。 - Master Sheng Yen

Self-centeredness is a fundamental factor for survival; from this perspective, it is not necessarily bad. However, if a person's self-centeredness is too strong, always feeling that one is right, with an insatiable desire for gain, or feeling arrogant or self-disparaged, then it will be very difficult to be happy. 自我中心原是一種生命的動力，不見得是壞事，但是 如果自我中心太強，經常自以為是、貪得無厭、傲慢 或自卑，自己是快樂不起來的。 - Master Sheng Yen

Conflicts usually come from an over-assertion of personal views. 衝突的產生，往往是因為過度強調自我中心。

Those who are selfish, self-serving, and insatiable act this way due to feelings of insecurity. 人之所以自私自利，貪得無厭，是因為缺乏安全感。 - Master Sheng Yen

Being selfish and self-serving may seem to be a way to protect yourself, but this is not so. One who is selfserving actually harms others and ultimately, himself. 自私自利，看起來是保障了自己，其實不然，損人者 終將害己。 - Master Sheng Yen

If you uphold clear principles of life’s values and abide by them without being swayed, then as you pass through each stage of life, all experiences will add to the feast of your life. - Master Sheng Yen

Each individual has his or her own disposition, wisdom, environment, physical makeup, and background. There is no need to compare. As long as the individual is solid, taking each step in life with certitude and stability, then he or she will be able to make something out of life. - 每個人的條件不同、智慧不同、環境不同、體能不 同、背景也不同，不必相提並論；只要腳踏實地，步 步穩健，就能走出一條路來。- Master Sheng Yen

To affirm yourself and not attach to strengths or weaknesses—to not become arrogant or regretful—and still be diligent in all endeavors is an attitude of selflessness. 肯定自我而對自己的優缺點不執著，不因此驕傲、懊 悔，而持續不斷地精進努力，便是一種無我的態度。 - Master Seng Yen

To clearly know your strengths and weaknesses, observe the meaning of life and existence. This is the beginning of self affirmation. 清楚知道自己的優缺點，瞭解生存與生命的意義，是 肯定自我的開始。 - Master Sheng Yen

People usually hide their shortcomings and avoid confronting them. Face them with openness, and then these shortcomings and other problems will actually decrease. 人往往會隱藏自己的缺點，不大願意去面對或承認； 若能坦然面對自己的缺點，缺點就會愈來愈少，問題 也會愈來愈小。 - Master Sheng Yen

Ordinarily people like to boast about their strengths. Our strengths should be developed, but there is no need to exaggerate them. 通常人都喜歡彰顯自己的優點，優點要發揮、要成長 ，不必誇張。 - Master Sheng Yen

Do not compare yourself against some standard; do not compare yourself with others. Just be diligent in the present and be prepared at any time for the future. 不跟自己比，不跟他人比，只知努力於現在，隨時準 備著未來。 - Master Sheng Yen

Do not think you know it all; do not belittle yourself. 不要自以為是，也不必小看自己。Master Sheng Yen

Harmonizing yourself first to deeply understand the processes of the self, including your merits and weaknesses. 能夠與自我和諧相處，就能夠深切地瞭解自我，包括 自我的優點和缺點。- Master Sheng Yen

Relax and experience body and mind, then you will be in harmony with yourself. 放鬆身心、體驗身心，才能夠與自我和平相處。 - Master Sheng Yen

If you want to harmonize with the environment, first harmonize yourself. 要和外在環境和諧相處，首先要跟內在的自我和平相 處。 - Master Sheng Yen

We have to respond to problems with calm. If our minds are not equanimous and harmonious, then we will likely say the wrong things and make the situation worse. Master Sheng Yen

No need to fear the sound of opposition or obstacles. If we can face and accept them then these conditions become a force to help us to grow. 反對、阻撓的聲音並不可怕，能夠面對、包容，反而 是幫助自己成長的一種助力。 - Master Sheng Yen