matter under what circumstances, we honestly speak the truth, and we guard our mouths from lying at all times.

Ÿ I don't tell lies. No matter where I am, I try to be true. I engage in straight speech and straight conduct, and I don't use any manipulative tricks in dealing with people and taking care of matters. If there is something I want to say, then I will say it no matter where I am. I'm not afraid of offending people. If there is something I don't want to say, then I won't say it no matter where I am. I absolutely will not lie or cheat others.

Ÿ Everyone should speak frankly more often. Even if you are beaten or scolded for it, you still want to speak the truth. Don't be afraid. Let me tell you, I'm a straightforward person. I'm someone who establishes his life in straightforwardness and doesn't seek upon the crooked. If they want to punish me, they can go ahead; it doesn't matter. If you punish me for telling the truth, I will still think it's worth it, and I won't hold a grudge against you. In cultivation, I don't insist that other people believe whatever I say. Even if they don't believe it, I will have tried my best.

Ÿ Why do some people fail to make progress in their practice? Because they have told too many lies. When you utter one false sentence, a hundred false thoughts arise.

Ÿ If you lie, then no matter what mantra you recite, it won't be efficacious. Nor will any Sutra you recite have efficacy. If you want to be able to recite mantras or recite Sutras and obtain a response or have some accomplishment, then you cannot lie. Be honest, and speak true and actual words, not false or frivolous words.

     We should expand our vision and broaden our views. We should not know only about ourselves, or be aware only of our own family, or know only about our own country's existence. We have to expand the measure of our mind so that it exhaustively fills empty space and pervades the Dharma Realm. We should think on behalf of all mankind, not just scheme for our own sakes. To benefit mankind and not harm mankind: That is the fundamental requirement for cultivating the Buddha path.

How can we benefit mankind and not harm mankind? We have to practice the six great principles of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas:
1. Do not fight. We do not fight with anyone. You fight with me, but I will not fight with you; you scold me, but I will not scold you; you beat me, but I will not beat you; you bully me, but I will not bully you. This is the principle that characterizes everything at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

2. Do not be greedy. Once greed arises, you are insatiable. Be it money or material things, you always feels you don't have enough. The greedier you are, the less satisfied you become. The less satisfied you are, the greedier you get. You are greedy into your old age, butyou still don't wake up. You are harmed by greed your whole life. When you die, you still feel there is some matter or some object you haven't obtained, and you feel deep regret. How pitiful this is! The second great principle of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is not to be greedy for money, benefits, or fame--in general, not to be greedy for anything whatsoever. Each person should just do his duty and  propagate the Buddhadharma to perpetuate the Buddha's wisdom-life.

3. Do not seek. Seeking is pretty similar to greed. Greed is abstract and invisible. Seeking means to actually go out and exploit one's connections, seeking by hook or by crook. What does one seek? One seeks money and material things. In general, one seeks for all kinds of benefits. At the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, we seek inwardly, not outwardly. We seek within our minds, sweeping away all the false thoughts of our ignorant mind, our mad mind and wild nature, our jealousy and obstructiveness, our greed, anger, stupidity, and so forth. We don't apply cosmetics on the outside. Instead we adorn the inside and make it pure. There is a saying, "When people reach the state of seeking nothing, their character will naturally be noble." When we don't seek from others, our character will naturally be pure and lofty, free of dirty thoughts.

4. Do not be selfish. Why has the world deteriorated to such a state? Because people have been too selfish. If it's something that they will gain benefit from, they will be the first to do it. However, if it's something that won't benefit them in any way, they stand aside and watch, or make some sarcastic remarks with the attitude of watching fire from a safe distance. There are many kinds of selfishness. There is selfishness with regard to position, selfishness with regard to reputation, selfishness with regard to power, and selfishness with regard to money. To put it in a nutshell, if people care only about themselves and not about others, it is always because their selfishness is acting up. There is a saying, "Mahasattvas don't care about others. Amitabha Buddha only takes care of himself." That's the thinking of the Small Vehicle. There is also a Confucian saying, "One should just sweep the snow in front of one's own door. Don't pay attention to the frost on other people's rooftiles." That's the attitude of not meddling in other people's business. Living in this world, people should help each other and offer mutual support. That's why we should promote the ideas of the Great Vehicle and learn to have the Bodhisattva spirit of saving those in difficulty upon hearing their suffering. We should not gloat over others' misfortunes.
If people in this world were not selfish, then we would all get along harmoniously like one family. But because we are selfish, we've created a lot of problems. Therefore, not being selfish is the fourth great principle of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

5. Not pursuing personal advantage. This principle is even more important than the fourth principle of not being selfish. There is no one who doesn't want to pursue personal advantage. But people certainly have to refrain from pursuing personal advantage for the world to improve. To not pursue personal advantage means to benefit others and forget about oneself. That's known as sacrificing oneself for others. That kind of spirit surpasses the conduct of Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas benefit themselves and also benefit others, save themselves and also save others, enlighten themselves and enlighten others. We don't benefit ourselves; we only benefit others, save others, and enlighten others.

6. Do not lie. This means having no intention to cheat people. Why do people tell lies? Because they're afraid of losing benefits to themselves and afraid of suffering losses. Thus, they lie. If we always treat people