从前，有一位年轻的修行者，他每天勤于打坐，严格遵守戒律，但总觉得心中烦躁，难以真正进入静心状态。于是，他去请教一位德高望重的禅师。禅师并没有直接回答他的问题，而是让他在寺庙中住下，并每天负责打扫禅房。**
Once upon a time, there was a young practitioner who diligently meditated every day and strictly observed the precepts but always felt restless and found it difficult to achieve a state of true calm. He decided to seek advice from a highly respected Zen master. The master did not answer his question directly but instead allowed him to stay in the temple and assigned him the daily task of cleaning the meditation hall.
年轻修行者每日忙于打扫，但心中疑惑为何禅师不给他明确的指导。有一天，他发现禅房的每个角落都被打扫得干干净净，心中豁然开朗。他明白了禅师的用意，开始每天反省自己的内心，像打扫禅房一样，清理心中的杂念和负面情绪。从那时起，他的修行有了显著的进步，内心也变得更加宁静。**
The young practitioner was busy cleaning every day but was puzzled why the Zen master did not give him clear guidance. One day, he noticed that every corner of the meditation hall was spotlessly clean, and he suddenly had an epiphany. He understood the master's intention and began to reflect on his inner self daily, clearing away his distractions and negative emotions just like cleaning the hall. From then on, his practice improved significantly, and his mind became much calmer.
反省自己，才能认识到自己的不足和渺小。曾经在电视剧里看到武则天在上朝时问道：“人为什么长两只眼睛？”众大臣或面面相觑，或答非所问。后来，武则天说：“人长两只眼睛，是为了睁一只眼闭一只眼。”**
Reflecting on oneself helps recognize one's shortcomings and insignificance. In a TV series, Wu Zetian once asked her ministers during a court session: "Why do people have two eyes?" The ministers either looked at each other in confusion or gave irrelevant answers. Later, Wu Zetian said, "People have two eyes so that one can stay open while the other stays closed."
反省的“省”，上面是“少”，下面是一个“目”。“少”和“目”的意思是少看，一只眼睛看别人的缺点，要遮一只眼睛看，不要两只眼睛一直看。**
The Chinese character for "reflect" (省) is composed of "少" (less) on top and "目" (eye) on the bottom. "少" and "目" together mean to see less; to look at others' shortcomings with one eye while covering the other.
眼睛习惯看人是非，计较他人。六祖坛经云：“若真修道人，不见世间过；若见他人非，自非却是左。”这并非不知辨别是非，而是见到“世间过”却不生烦恼，不为之所动。见贤思齐，见不贤而内自省。责备他人容易，反省自己需要下功夫。不管是顺境、逆境，一切都是最好的安排。人人都是好人，事事都是好事，他来成就我，磨炼我，让我的德行、道业、智慧天天增长。**
Eyes habitually look at people's rights and wrongs, and judge others. The "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" states: "If a true practitioner, one does not see the faults of the world; if one sees the faults of others, one's own faults are already evident." This does not mean one cannot distinguish right from wrong, but that seeing the faults of the world should not cause disturbance or attachment. Learn from the virtuous and reflect inwardly when seeing the non-virtuous. Blaming others is easy; self-reflection requires effort. Whether in favorable or unfavorable circumstances, everything is the best arrangement. Everyone is good, and everything is beneficial; they come to fulfill and refine us, allowing our virtues, practices, and wisdom to grow daily.
修行是修自己，不是修别人，一切反求诸己。每当遇到人事阻碍、挫折和困难，就要反求诸己。为何人际关系差？为何工作不顺？为何自己常生病？为何婚姻不好？子女不听话？朋友不信任？这些都需要检点自己，是自己的因果，是自己做得不好，不去怨天尤人。命运是自己掌握，心改命运则可改。**
Practice is about cultivating oneself, not others; everything should be reflected upon oneself. Whenever encountering personal obstacles, setbacks, and difficulties, one should reflect inwardly. Why are relationships poor? Why is work unsatisfactory? Why do you frequently fall ill? Why is the marriage unhappy? Why are children disobedient? Why do friends not trust you? These require self-examination as they are one's own causes and effects, stemming from one's own actions. Do not blame heaven or others. Destiny is in one's own hands; changing the heart can change destiny.
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