Currently, the Taoist community is actively carrying out the educational activity of "studying regulations, abiding by precepts, emphasizing cultivation, and establishing a good image". This is an important measure for the Taoist community to strengthen its own construction. Studying regulations means using the laws as a guideline and boundaries to clarify the limits of behavior; abiding by precepts means adhering to the precepts to maintain personal integrity and follow the rules; emphasizing cultivation means strengthening foundation and cultivating the body and mind to enhance the spiritual realm; establishing a good image means internal cultivation and external conduct, self-cultivation and influencing others, to present a clean, solemn and excellent image of Taoism.

The "Tao Te Ching" is the fundamental scripture of Taoism, containing profound philosophical thoughts and wisdom. Let us return to the classics and start from the "Tao Te Ching", combining it with educational activities to deeply explore the wisdom within the Taoist scriptures, with the aim of providing rich nourishment for real life.

一

The 25th chapter of the "Tao Te Ching" states: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the heaven, the heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature." Here, "follow" means to imitate or abide by. Humans should imitate the great virtue of the earth, the earth should imitate the movement of the heaven, the heaven should imitate the laws of the Tao, and the Tao should imitate its own inherent nature. Nature is the law by which all things in the universe operate, and it is the original state that all things should have. The entire universe is orderly, and so is human society. Regulations embody order and rules, and are the concrete manifestations of the natural law in the human world. These rules may seem restrictive, but in fact, they guide our behavior to avoid deviation and overstepping the bounds, providing deeper protection for individuals, and maintaining harmony and order among groups.

In real life, we must adhere to the bottom line of laws and regulations, clearly define the boundaries of our actions, and act within appropriate limits. If we understand the essence of the regulations from a broader perspective, then in social life, there are many institutional rules that we must also abide by as behavioral guidelines. As a student of a Taoist school, the school's rules are one of the regulations we must follow. Taking the school rules of Haisi Taoist College as an example, the rules emphasize, "Do not waste during the procession, do not be late in the hall, do not steal, do not commit fraud, and do not speak falsely," etc. Each of these rules is teaching us to implement "the natural law" in practice and at every detail. Studying laws and regulations and abiding by institutional rules is helping us return to the original state of life. At this time, our daily living, sitting and lying, treating others and interacting with others should always follow the law and rules, and observing order and rules will become "the natural thing" in our lives.

two

The 64th chapter of the "Tao Te Ching" states: "When things are stable, they are easier to maintain; when they are not yet apparent, they are easier to plan and handle." This means that when the situation is peaceful, it is easier to hold onto and maintain it; when things have not yet manifested, it is easier to plan and solve them. Observing the rules of conduct requires doing so consistently over time. Only by keeping one's mind focused and actions steady in daily life can one avoid being led astray by desires when faced with temptations.

I once heard an elderly Taoist master recount his experiences from his youth. One winter, he was suffering from a high fever. He thought, "Let's just give up for today. I won't do the morning and evening rituals. The master might not even know about it." After much deliberation, he still felt increasingly uneasy. Eventually, he forced himself to get up, wrapped himself in a cotton coat, and went to the hall. After reciting the sutras, he returned to the dormitory, drenched in sweat, but suddenly felt enlightened. He said, "After that incident, I understood a principle: The discipline is not enforced by outsiders, but rather maintained through one's own inner commitment."

The 54th chapter of the "Tao Te Ching" states: "Those who build well do not uproot what they have built; those who hold on well do not let go of what they have." "Those who build well" and "those who hold on well" can stabilize their roots before developing their branches. They must adhere to their true nature and abide by the rules, not being influenced by external desires and pleasures. Only in this way can their inner foundation be solid. Therefore, abiding by the rules does not mean following the regulations; it means adhering to one's true nature.

three

The 48th chapter of the "Tao Te Ching" states: "In learning, one accumulates more knowledge and skills; in following the Tao, one eliminates faults and attachments. This process continues until there is no action." Learning refers to the accumulation of knowledge and skills, which is called "benefit"; following the Tao means eliminating flaws and attachments, which is called "destruction". The key to cultivation lies in "destruction" - eliminating greed and anger, as well as laziness and arrogance.

During the study period at the academy, our morning and evening classes, meditation, copying scriptures, and other daily practices are actually a process of "destruction", which is to eliminate impatience and distraction and make our inner self clear. "When practiced on the body, the virtue is truly genuine." The essence of practice lies in the word "true", and all the efforts are the gradual accumulation of cultivation.

four

"The image of a person" is not achieved through deliberate packaging and shaping, but rather it is the natural expression of one's cultivation and virtue. Chapter 38 of the "Tao Te Ching" states: "The supreme virtue does not claim virtue; thus it possesses virtue. The inferior virtue does not claim virtue; thus it lacks virtue." Chapter 54 of the same text says: "If one cultivates virtue within oneself, his virtue is genuine; if one cultivates virtue within one's family, his virtue is abundant; if one cultivates virtue within one's village, his virtue is widespread; if one cultivates virtue within one's state, his virtue is prosperous; if one cultivates virtue within the entire world, his virtue is universal." A person of supreme virtue never deliberately displays their virtue but focuses on their own cultivation. Their virtue naturally influences those around them and, in turn, affects more people on a larger scale.

As students of the Taoist Academy, we should maintain a proper conduct and demeanor every day. We should not be lazy during morning prayers, not waste time during the procession, not hurt others with our words, and not deceive ourselves when alone. These are the practices we are currently engaged in.