万佛圣城刚成立，一切都还未上轨道，所以有些事情仍然杂乱无章，外来的人到此地也不十分了解这里的规矩，所以有些法务还未圆满。在此期间，来到万佛圣城的人，也是好坏掺半，龙蛇混杂。其实不好的是给好的做榜样；好的是给不好的做榜样，互相说法，互相借镜。人是如此，佛菩萨护法也是如此，天魔外道也是如此。
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas has just been founded, and everything has not gotten on track yet. Sometimes things are quite a mess, and the visitors who come don't quite understand our rules here. Some of the Buddhist ceremonies have not been performed very well. The people who have come to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas are a mixture of good and bad, virtuous and evil. The bad ones set an example for the good ones to see, and vice versa. They take one another as models, speak Dharma for one another, and learn from one another's experiences. Not only are people this way, but the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also serve as models for each other, and so do the heavenly demons and externalists.
因为这是个新成立的道场，很多护法以前还未在此上过班，有时也躲懒偷安，遇着事情也不知如何办好？就好像人刚搬到万佛圣城时，遇事都不知如何处理，所以有很多天魔妖怪都想到这里混水摸鱼，找点便宜。
Since this is a new Way-place, many Dharma-protecting spirits who haven't worked here before sometimes try to be lazy, and don't know how to handle things. Similarly, when people first move to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, they don't know how to take care of things, either. That's why many heavenly demons and monsters have tried to stir up trouble and take advantage of the situation.
但是不圆满是圆满的开始。在万佛圣城住的人绝对要有德行，没有德行的人是住不下来的，总觉得很不自在。有德行的人，则觉得身心安乐，非常舒服自在。从这点就知道万佛圣城是个怎么样的道场。有德行的人，佛菩萨护法都很欢喜他，但是魔就不高兴，想把这些有德行的人拉出去，所以用种种魔通妖术眩惑动乱人心。连一些无知的畜生、昆虫，到万佛圣城都想显本领，露一手作作怪。
However, imperfection is the beginning of perfection. The conduct of people who live at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas needs to be virtuous. People who lack virtue cannot live here, because they'll always feel uneasy. Virtuous people, on the other hand, feel peaceful in mind and body, and very much at ease here. Judging from people's feelings, we can know what kind of place the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is. The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting spirits are pleased with virtuous people, but the demons, who are upset by them, try to drag them away from here. They use their demonic powers and tricks to confuse and cast spells on them. Even the unintelligent animals and insects want to show off their skill and cause mischief at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
世上有善就有恶，所以我们要
In this world, wherever there is good, there is also evil, so we should follow the saying:
择善而从，
不善而改；
是道则进，
非道则退。
Follow what is good;
Change what is evil.
Go forward along the Way;
Retreat from what is not the Way.
每一个人要有正知正见。什么是正知正见？就是不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不打妄语。到了万佛圣城还有个“我”，还以为自己很了不起，那你就完了。
Every person should possess right knowledge and right views. Right knowledge and right views means not contending, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal gain, and not telling lies. If you come to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas with a big ego and a sense of great self-importance, you're finished here.
在万佛圣城，是龙要蟠起来，是虎也要卧着，都要严守规则，绝无例外。诸位要认识自己祖上的德行，与自己的善根，不要浪费它，不要入宝山还茫然不知，空手而回。万佛圣城与其它道场没有什么不同，唯一不同处就是“不争、不贪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄语”。
At the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the dragons have to coil up, the tigers have to crouch down, and everyone must follow the rules. You should emulate your ancestors' virtuous conduct and your own good roots and not waste them. Don't come to the mountain of treasures without recognizing it, and return empty-handed. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is not very different from other Way-places; the only difference lies in the emphasis on not contending, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal gain, and not lying.
一九八三年四月十五日晚间开示
于万佛圣城
A talk given on the evening of April 15, 1983,
at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
