The starting point of goodness 善的起点

Robot Monk Xian'er

Thestarting point of goodness

Modern people tend to be afraid of exposingtheir problems, not brave enough to face their own shortcomings. In fact, noone is perfect. To face our shortcomings and correct them is the way to growup. It is not only children who need to rectify their mistakes. Adults areencouraged to do so, too. To feel ashamed is not to lose one’s confidence. Lowself-esteem is bad but shame is good. The former discourages us from pushingforward while the latter helps us purify our mind and encourage us to makeprogress. To have a sense of shame is to be able to reflect, to get enlightenedand to be a better person. Therefore, those who have lost the ability to feelashamed is the most piteous. The starting point of goodness lies in that momentof shame we feel. Real practices begin once we are aware of our afflictions.

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善的起点

现代人大多害怕暴露自己的问题，

也害怕面对自己的不足，

其实每个人肯定都是有缺点的，

正视它、改正它，

是每个人都必经的过程，

也是生命的成长。

不是只有小孩才需要改错，

大人同样如此。

惭愧不等于不自信。

自卑是一种恶法，

惭愧是一种善法，

前者能让我们裹足不前，

后者却能帮助我们

净化身心、积极向上。

懂得惭愧，

才能反省、觉悟、进步，

一个失去惭愧心的人是最可怕的，

也是最可悲的。

一念惭愧心，是善的起点；

认识烦恼，是修行的开始。