“Philosophical Sayings about Worldly Matters” VI-X

by Sharon S.

《世法哲言》 6~10

Written by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

VI.
The construction of a tall building begins with the laying of groundwork from which it goes up floor by floor. Structures resting on nothing are seen only in a mirage. Building up a career is like putting up a building: what is needed are firm steps taken one after another toward the goal and executed with the support of true knowledge gained from experience. These steps, aided by a defiance of obstacles, will eventually lead one to success. 

高樓之建首在築基,依次而上,空中樓閣于世弗成,事業之就亦復如是,足踏其實,步無虛發,真知之具由然實鑒,具實者于高難而不畏其困,故攀之于高而在于實。

VII.
One in good fortune should remember the days in woe. A good soldier knows that battle victories are just as common as defeats. It is too late to remember one’s umbrella when he is caught in a downpour without it.  

立之于福應憶于難,取之勝者莫忘兵家常事,暴雨之下方憶其傘者必水淋其身也。

VIII.
Profound wisdom and ability are the inner qualities of a person who possesses them. A person lacking in these qualities but trying to impress people that he is in possession of them is not to be taken seriously. Bamboo with its hollow interior can never support a building.  

雄才之料必當內充其實也,華其外而碎其內弗可大器而登堂,心空之竹終非棟樑之材。

IX.
When one is held up by obstacles on his way to a rendezvous, he should back down so that he may reach his destination sooner. It is like driving a car in reverse gear; one does that because he will be able to drive forward faster later on.  

赴約者奔往為事,中遇道障之退,更便速前也,車擋雖倒掛之行,而在更利前行之策也。

X.
The one who is only good at reciting other’s works is ignorant. The value in such works lies in their application to reality. A brilliant university graduate, or a master of the Four Books and Five Scriptures, without knowing how to put what he has learned into practice, can hardly fend for himself and offers no benefit to society. Only when the masterpieces are in put into use can they be powerful in terms of social advancement. It is only then that knowledge is transformed into a material force.

唯誦文章是無知,文學之才唯附實,而今大學四書五經,為文弗施者,收之弗能養其己,放之不利其眾或,唯誦何益之有,施詩文于社會之用,造益利眾者,是為轉知化實也。

#DorjechangBuddha

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