Consume coarse meals,
Eat in small portions;
Digest suffering,
Take in disadvantages.

Rise early,
Sleep well;
Don’t overeat,
Jog frequently.

Smile more,
Don’t worry;
Keep busy every day,
And you’ll never age.

To have good health, eat moderately.
To have good relationships,
be sincere and humble.
To have a good family, be caring.
To have a good career, be diligent.^*

── from Fo Guang Cai Gen Tan
(Roots of Wisdom;
*Humble Table, Wise Fare)

When honor comes, examine your mind,
lest a wall of arrogance block your view.

When trouble comes, examine your mind,
lest the fire of hatred consume your merits.
When your world is in chaos, examine your mind,
lest the torrent of worry drown your will.
When you are worried about gain and loss,
examine your mind,
lest the winds of suspicion and jealousy
blast your confidence.

── from The Everlasting Light