1. In dealing with people and life, one should understand the essence of Zen.
2. Life has its ups and downs. If you do not rejoice at the rising of water vapor, why grieve over the falling rain? We often say we will "find an opportunity" to meet, or "wait for the right time" to embrace, or even tell an old friend "not in a hurry." In reality, every morning we should tell ourselves: this is a "special day." Every minute and every second is precious; "in the future" or "someday" should not be excuses for procrastination.
3. Only when the heart is quiet can one hear its own voice; only when the heart is clear can one see the true nature of all things. Do not cling to what is not worth cherishing. Life often moves too fast, so learn to stop and watch the clouds, sit and admire the flowers, settle down like the silent sea, and remain still to observe all things. When the mind is calm, everything is reflected naturally, and a single moment becomes eternity. We need more than just the coolness of a spring or the height of a peak; we need to be like a kapok tree standing beside life—roots entwined underground, leaves touching in the clouds, greeting each other with every breeze.
4. Nameless flowers can still bloom into magnificent landscapes; humble grass can spread a lush greenery. In reality, we often lose our spirituality under heavy burdens or discard our true selves by looking too high. Yet, for those we love and those who love us, we are the most important. This importance stems from our thirst for life and our promise to existence, radiating warmth and tenderness.
5. The most profound memories often stem from childhood, a time without vanity or pretension, characterized by a sincere and pure self. We use our innocent hearts to sketch the future, bringing hope and laughter through our budding spirits.
6. Plainness is the main theme of life, while brilliance is its embellishment. We cannot avoid the mediocrity of reality, nor should we indulge in fantasies. Never use one mistake to cover another; being overly immersed in the "correctness" of the past only makes one weaker. Only by forgiving your past self can you enjoy today's happiness. If others do not forgive you, forgive yourself first.
7. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow has not yet arrived; today is the reality. Do not lose your present mood to the regrets of the past. Occasional venting of complaints is necessary, but endless complaining only adds trouble and shows incompetence. Complaining is a fatal negative mindset; once it becomes a habit, it destroys not only your own peace but also the luck of those around you.
8. The sudden clarity of life arrives with the first ray of light. People leave every day, and people return every day; do not dwell on either. If it is a reflection of the soul, there is no distinction between coming and going. If it is the meaning of life, we gather despite the distance. Everything stems from the heart—to be at peace with oneself is to have the heart of a Buddha.
9. If the breeze has feeling, the bright moon can witness; if the falling flowers have feeling, the flowing water can understand. What cannot be erased is the lingering loneliness; what cannot be untangled is the predestined connection; what cannot be severed is the interwoven longing. If the beauty has dreams, the gentleman can interpret them; if the gentleman has words, the beauty can hear them. When all prosperity fades, it all ends as misty rain.
10. The direction of your tears determines the direction of your life: if they flow back into the heart, they build strength and conviction; if they flow toward begging, the return will eventually be blocked; if they flow toward emotion, your life will be filled with warmth and kindness. Those with self-control possess tears with the power to travel a thousand miles, eventually reaching the vast ocean.
11. Life is a mirror: if you smile, it smiles; if you cry, it cries. Therefore, let us move forward with a smile and age gracefully. May the peace of the years remain in the world, like a gentle smile on the lips, warm as a flower and tender as water, lasting forever.
12. There is no need to try to make everyone understand you. Those who know me share my worries; those who do not ask what I seek! Tears solve no problems; they only bring noise. Many things can be felt deeply without shedding tears, lest one breaks down completely when emotions are unleashed.
13. Stagnant water produces no fish; a withered tree bears no flowers.
14. Taking the path everyone else chooses is the safest, yet one often encounters traffic jams.
15. The bribed is guilty, but the briber is even more so.
