STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS
Instructions in Virtue From the Chinese Heritage
Provisional translation by: Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and The staffs of Instilling Virtue and Cultivating Goodness Schools
At the Sagely City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Talmage, California, 95481-0217 1991
Editor’s note: This essay was meant to be memorized, learned by heart. I have supplied a meter, knowing that a regular beat can help the process of memorization in
English. The ends of lines rhyme occasionally, but I made no attempt to consistently rhyme the text. The standard meter, however, is consistent throughout.
Rev. Heng Sure
STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS
Table of Contents
Preface:
Chapter 1: On Being Filial at Home
Chapter 2: On Practicing True Brotherhood
Chapter 3: On Being Careful
Chapter 4: On Being Honest
Chapter 5: On Cherishing All Living Beings
Chapter 6: On Drawing Near To Good-hearted People
Chapter 7: On Studying Whenever We Can

STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS
(Author: Anonymous)
PREFACE
These standards for students are guidelines, Handed down to us by Ancient Sages. They tell us to obey our parents, And to practice true brotherhood.Learn to be careful and honest,
And cherish all living beings. Draw near to good-hearted people, And study whenever we can.
Chapter 1: On Being Filial at Home
1. When Mother and Father are calling, answer them right away. when they give you directions, obey them without hesitation.
2. When your parents need to instruct you, respectfully do as you’re told. Whenever your parents must scold you, acknowledge your errors and faults.
3. In the winter make sure they are warm, in the summer make sure they are cool. Each morning cheerfully greet them. At night see their rest is secure.
4. Before going out, tell your parents. Let them knowwhen you come in. Settle peacefully in your home, and finish what you begin.
5. No matter how small the affair, always ask for your elders’ advice. If you don’t ask your elders’ advice, then you’ve not been a dutiful child.
6. When good things, though small, come your way, give your family their rightful share first. If you hoard up the best for yourself, kinfolks’ feelings are sure to be hurt.
7. Whatever your parents enjoy, do all you can to provide. Whatever your parents dislike, you should earnestly cast aside.
8. Whenever you injure your body, your parents feel grief and alarm. Whenever you damage your virtue, your family’s good name comes to harm.
9. When parents’ words are loving, obeying them is not hard. To obey when their words are bitter, takes a noble heart’s resolve.
10. When your parents do something wrong,11 exhort them to change for the better; on your face a kind expression, in your voice a gentle tone.
11. If they cannot accept your advice, kindly tell them again; or use tears to move them with feelings. If scolded, you never complain.
12. When parents are ill call the doctor. Be sure the prescription is right. Wait on them day after day, at their bedside by day and by night.
13. For three years after their passing, remember them always in sorrow. Don’t go to parties and movies, and don’t eat luxurious foods.
14. See to all funeral arrangements, honor your family ties. Serve your departed ancestors, as you honor your kin while alive. If they smoke, .for instance. Avoid meat and alcoholic drinks.

Chapter 2
On Practicing True Brotherhood
15. When all the brothers are friendly, and sisters show respect, the harmony blessing these children, is a sign of the Filial Way.
16. If you see wealth as a trifle, no one will envy your share. When words are both gentle and patient, bad feelings will soon disappear.
17. When people are eating or drinking, or when it is time to sit down, let those who are older go first; the young ones should follow behind.
18. If an elder is looking for someone, you run the errand instead. If the person you seek can’t be found, hurry back and report what you’ve learned.
19. In speaking to those who are older, use the right term of respect. When facing your teachers and elders, don’t show off or try to look smart.
20. If you meet face to face on the pathway, greet them with cheerful respect. If your elders choose not to address you, modestly stand to one side.
21. If an elder’s on foot and your riding, stop and ask if he’s traveling far.33 Respectfully wait till he’s passed you, before you drive on in your car.
22. When an older person is standing, children should not take a seat. But wait till the elder is seated, and then sit when you are told.
23. Speak softly in front of your elders, in a low voice that pleases the ear. But then you are wrong if you’re speaking, so softly that no one can hear.
24. Be swift when it’s time to move forward; go last when it’s time to return. Stand up to answer when questioned, with your gaze held steady and calm.
25. Behave with everyone’s parents, the way you behave with your own. Treat all brothers and sisters, just like your family at home.
33 Stop and offer a ride in your car.

Chapter 3: On Being Careful
In the morning it’s best to rise early; at night you should go to bed late. Cherish the time that is left you, don’t expect that old age will wait.
27. First wash your face after rising, and next brush your teeth very well. After you go to the toilet, use water and soap on your hands.
28. Make sure your hat is on straight, and fasten your buttons up right. Your socks should both match and look tidy, and tie up your shoelaces tight.
29. Your hat and all other clothing, should hang in their own special places. If you leave them in heaps where you toss them, they’re sure to get wrinkled and soiled.
30. What matters with clothes is they’re clean, not whether they’re stylish or fine. Wear what is suitable for you; accord with your status and means.
31. Don’t get attached to good flavors, or pick out the best food and drink. Eat just enough to get full; and never take more than you need.
32. Whatever your age or position, don’t drink liquor or take harmful drugs. Drunks are disgraceful and ugly. Drugs bring you misery and shame.
33. Your walk should be easy and graceful. Stand with your back tall and straight. Salute other people sincerely, make full bows with respect.
34. Watch your step as you enter a doorway. Stand up straight, don’t lean on the wall. Don’t stick out your legs when you’re sitting, or slide back and forth on the chair.
35. When you open a door, best be careful. Do it gently, without too much noise. Go wide when you’re turning a corner; don’t trip on the legs of the chairs.
36. Carry containers with caution, empty and full just thesame. And enter a room that is empty, as you would if a crowd were inside.
37. Avoid doing things in a hurry; haste leads to many mistakes. Neither fear the difficult jobs, nor skip over simpler chores.
38. Never go near rowdy places, or where you see fights going on. Gossip about things improper, is better not to pass on.
39. Before you step through a doorway, ask first if there’s someone inside. Then when you enter the room, raise your voice to show you’ve arrived.
40. If someone should ask who you are, never respond, “It is I.” Answer by giving your name, or you’ve not made a clear reply.
41. Be sure that you first get permission, before using peoples’ possessions. If you use it but don’t ask the owner, then stealing is what you have done.
42. If you borrow an item from someone, make sure you return it in time. When people ask you for something, loan it to them whenever you can.

Chapter 4: On Being Honest
43. Honesty is most important, in choosing the words that we speak. When was it ever permitted, to say things dishonest and false?
44. To talk just a little is better, then to chatter non-stop all day long. Stick to the facts and speak briefly; don’t use cunning or flowery words.
45. Harsh words and vulgar expressions, cheap talk and words that are cruel; jargon, slang, and swearing; all talk such as this we avoid.
46. If you haven’t seen something quite clearly, don’t pretend that you know. If you’re not sure what actually happened, don’t spread the story around.
47. When you know that a matter is wrong, don’t casually follow along. If you casually follow the crowd, then you’re almost sure to go wrong.
48. When you speak, say the words clearly; distinctly and smoothly they flow. If you talk too fast, no one will heed you, the same if you mumble too slow.
49. Some like to talk about good points, others enjoy finding faults. If a matter is none of your business, simply pay no attention at all.
50. When a person’s good virtues inspire you, to cultivate many good deeds, don’t fear that you won’t be his equal; just do good! You will surely succeed.
51. When you notice a person’s bad habits, look for the fault in yourself. Correct it at once if you find it, and work harder still if you don’t.
52. If your virtue and learning and talents, don’t measure up to your friends’, then spur yourself on to try harder. Accept nothing less than your best.
53. If your wardrobe is seldom in fashion, and your home is quite simple and plain, while your friends have the newest and finest, don’t worry, and never complain.
54. If hearing you faults makes you angry; if you like it when praise comes your way; then harmful friends will draw near you, and wholesome friends will stay away.
55. If compliments make you uneasy, and hearing your faults makes you glad, forgiving and straightforward friends, will gradually come to your side.
56. When an error is not made on purpose, we call it a simple mistake. But evil is what we consider, mistakes that are purposefully done.
57. If you can reform your offenses, your faults by themselves disappear. But trying to cover them over, makes offenses more severe.
Chapter 5: On Cherishing All Living Beings
58. For all creatures throughout the world, we should cherish an kindred regard. The sky covers all of us equally; the earth supports all living beings.
59. People whose conduct is fine, are sure to have good reputations. Good conduct is what we respect: fine looks cannot bring people honor.
60. People with outstanding talents, rightfully earn their prestige. Achievements are what we admire: braggarts don’t gain our respect.
61. Don’t use for selfish advantage, your own special talents and skills. The abilities others may have, should never be envied or scorned.
62. It’s not right to flatter the rich, or act arrogant towards the poor. Old things need not be rejected; new things are not always good.
63. When you see that a person is busy, leave him alone till he’s free. If you see that a person’s upset, don’t annoy him with idle chatter.
64. Although you may know someone’s faults, there’s no need to spread them about. The personal business of others, should not be the subject of talk.
65. Now praising the virtues of others, is itself a virtuous deed. When people hear they have been praised, they will want to improve even more.
66. Talking of others’ shortcomings, in itself is a karmic offense. When slander goes far beyond reason, disaster will surely result.
67. We develop our virtue together, by urging each other towards goodness. If we don’t regulate our bad habits, then we all will have strayed from the path.
68. Things that you give and you get, are different, and must be made clear. Make sure that your giving surpasses, the amount that you receive.
69. Don’t simply pass on to others, a job you yourself wouldn’t do. First ask yourself: “Am I willing?” If not, let the matter stop there.
70. Kindness must be returned; let enmity just fade away. Grudges are better forgotten, while kindness increases each day.
71. Let the virtue of your right conduct, set the standards for your employees. With your character proper and just, let your heart be forgiving and kind.
72. If you try to rule others by force, you will never win over their hearts. If you lead them with virtue and reason, they will never have cause to complain.
Chapter 6: On Drawing Near To Good-hearted People

73. We live on the earth all together, but we people are not all the same. There are many who follow the crowd; yet few who are truly humane.
74. Yet those who are truly humane, intimidate average souls, because they’re direct and outspoken, and because they won’t flatter and please.
75. To draw near to such wholesome people, will bring on immeasurable good. Our virtues increase day by day; our faults bit by bit disappear.
76. To fail to draw near good advisors, will bring immeasurable harm. Unworthy people will prosper, and nothing one does will succeed.
Chapter 7: On Studying Whenever We Can

77. Being a scholar has value, if we cultivate what we have learned. When knowledge is gained to no purpose, then what can we hope to become?
78. But those who exclusively work, and know nothing of reason and truth, will rely on their own narrow vision; their judgment will be uninformed.
79. The way to success in your studies, is to focus attention on three: Trust to your eyes, mouth, and mind. Believe these are all that you need.
80. Study one book at a time; don’t let concentration diverge. Stick with this topic ‘till finished; only then choose another to learn.
81. Budget your time for one project, and then work as hard as you can. When your efforts come up to the mark, quite naturally you’ll understand.
82. When a question comes up in your reading, make notes of it while you recall. The first chance you get, ask an expert, to settle it once and for all.
83. Keep your room tidy and neat, with the walls uncluttered and clean. Your desk should be kept in good order, with paper and pens well arranged.
84. If your tools are scattered or dull, it’s certain your thoughts are the same. When a mind’s lost its right concentration, poor writing reveals its state.
85. Each of the books that you read, should have its own place on the rack. After you’ve finished your study, carefully put the books back.
86. Although you may be in a hurry, close up your books properly. If you damage the cover or pages, repair the book before you leave.
87. Teachings that don’t come from Sages, are words that we don’t need to read. These books cover over our wisdom, and undermine our resolve.
88. Don’t let your instincts control you, or waste time in idle pursuits. Work hard and become worthy Sages: we all can harvest these fruits!

END
Return to HOME PAGE Return to HOME PAGE