初学六波罗蜜时，仿佛遇到一个明确的路标，指示我如何进一步修行。当时还不明白“精进修行”是指时时刻刻不断用功，因为随时检视起心动念，才能在每个当下保持觉性，而且每一个念头都会招感果报。

　　我以前的工作总要设定目标，在修行路上我也设下“精进波罗蜜”的目标，包括诵经、供养、出坡等。我诵英文版《金刚经》一年后，背会了大部分的经文，于是就开始学习诵念中文版。深深感恩从古至今，所有付出生命、离乡背井、学习外语、译经弘法的法师们，没有他们，我们是没有机会学佛的。

　　疫情封城时，我有时间静下来检讨改进过去的言行。我每天反问自己：“在身口意上有精进努力吗？”答案总是不变的：“要更努力。”若当天没时间诵经及反省检讨，我还是会努力保持起善念。 “八正道”是我修行的依据。面对境界时，我常检视自己对佛法的知见是否正确。这时我会回头复习佛法开示，阅读佛陀与弟子、祖师大德的公案，因为他们是精进修行的最佳典范。

　　我知道自己离常行精进还很遥远，或许在成道的路上，可能会在原地打转、退步、或偶尔走错路，但我相信最后一定会找到路头、向前迈进。

Turning Your Thoughts Around Is Diligence

　　When I first read the Six Paramitas, I felt like I had come across a clear guide on how to move forward in my practice. I didn’t realize "diligence in practice" was a 24/7 effort because bringing awareness to every moment, whether in action or in thought, requires examining my intention, as there will surely be consequences.

　　Coming from a work experience where there were always goals, I set targets for sutra recitation, giving to charities, and a certain hours of volunteer work per week. After a year of reciting the Diamond Sutra, I have memorized a good portion of it and learned to recite it in Chinese. I'm deeply grateful to all Dharma Masters who dedicated their lives and crossed continents to learn a new language, took great effort to expound on Buddha's teachings, and those who translated sutras into English. Without them, many of us would have missed out on Buddha's teachings.

　　In this pandemic, I found the quietness to examine my past actions, reactions, and choices. Each day I ask myself, "Have I done my best to practice consistently and diligently in thoughts, intentions, and actions?" The answer would always be the same, "Do more." Maybe that day I had less time to recite sutras and reflect quietly, but I could still diligently practice having good intentions and good thoughts. The anchor to my practice is Eightfold Path. In daily life situations—past or present, oftentimes doubts arose as to whether I had interpreted the teachings correctly. I go back to the Dharma talks and stories told on the Buddha and his disciples and on the Patriarchs. These are great examples and analogies of how to cultivate.

　　I acknowledge that I'm far from having a consistent and diligent practice. Perhaps on the path to enlightenment, I may go around in circles, sometimes hopping backwards, occasionally skidding sideways, but I believe that I will eventually manage to take a step forward.