Chapter 7 – After All the Above are Accomplished, Further Study And Learn Literature and Art to Improve Your Cultural and Spiritual Life

If you do not actively make use of what you have learned, 

But continue to study on the surface, 

Your knowledge is increasing but it is only superficial.

What kind of person will you be?

If you do apply your knowledge diligently, 

But stop studying, 

You will only do things based on your own opinion, thinking it is correct. 

In fact what you know is not the truth.

There are ways to study. 

They involve concentration in three areas: 

Your mind, your eyes, and your mouth. 

To believe in what you read is equally important.

When you begin to read a book, 

Do not think about another. 

If you have not completed the book, 

Do not start another.

Give yourself lots of time to study, 

And study hard. 

Given time and effort,(25)

You will thoroughly understand.

If you have a question, 

Make a note of it. 

Ask the person who has the knowledge

For the right answer.

Keep your room neat, 

Walls uncluttered and clean, 

Your desk tidy and 

Your brush(26) and inkstone(27) properly placed.

If your ink block(28) is ground tilted to one side,

It shows you have a poor state of mind.

When words are written carelessly, showing no respect, 

It shows your state of mind has not been well.

The books(29) should be classified, placed on the book shelves, 

And in their proper place.

After you finish reading a book, 

Put it back in its right place.

Even though you are in a hurry, 

Neatly roll up and bind the open bamboo scroll(30) you are reading. 

Any missing or damaged pages

Are to be repaired.

If it is not a book on the teachings of the saints and sages, 

It should be discarded and not even be looked at. 

These books can block your intelligence and wisdom, and 

Will undermine your aspirations and sense of direction.

Neither be harsh on yourself, 

Nor give up on yourself.

To be a person of high ideals, moral standards and virtue 

Is something we can all become in time.
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(25) If you do not understand part of book you are reading, read it again and again, even for a thousand times. Its meaning will come to you naturally.

(26) "Brush" here means Chinese writing brush. 

(27) "Inkstone" is a stone stand used for the preparing and holding the ink used in Chinese brush calligraphy.

(28) "Ink block" is a solid ink piece. A person grinds it with water against the inkstone to make ink for writing Chinese brush calligraphy.

(29) Here "books" refer to books on laws, constitutions and the structural systems of a nation.

(30 Scroll, or juan “卷” means a bamboo scroll. It is an ancient book in the form of a scroll made of bamboo slips with knife-carved or painted Chinese characters. It was used before paper was invented.

Source Of Information:
《Standards for Being a Good Student and Child》, translated by Pure Land Learning College Translation Association, printed in August 2012, distributed by Amitabha Buddhist Society Malaysia (92, Jalan Pahang, 53300 Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.