Di Zi Gui: Guide to a Happy Life

by Li Yuxiu

TRADE PB

95 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1750

Reviews

[Joker Klein]

说来神奇，我看的第一本弟子规，竟然是英文版，叫做Guidelines for being a good person 。是香港佛陀教育基金会出品，插画简单，却很美，排版也算赏心悦目，不想结缘的书，也可以印刷得这么精致。
抱着这种好感，我试着读了一下。不料第一页那浓得搅不开的人屎气息，就把我熏得够呛。说实话，这本糟粕不是没有可取之处，但那简直就像人屎中尚未消化的玉米粒和青菜叶，丝毫不能掩盖它人屎的本质。读这本书，说句令人作呕都是轻的。
我试着摘几句，并对应中文：
英译：Before going out, we should let our parents know.When we return, we should tell them that we are back. We should lead a routine life, and we should not be constantly changing our mind in whatever we do.
原文：出必告，反必面，居有常，业无变。
英译：Even when a matter is trivial, we should not act without permission or just do as we please. If we do so, then we are no longer a dutiful child.
原文：事虽小，勿擅为，苟擅为，子道亏。
英译：We should not hide any possession, no matter how small, from our parents. If we do, they will feel hurt.
原文：物虽小，勿私藏，苟私藏，亲心伤。
英译：Should our parents not accept our advice, try again when they are in a better mood. If they still do not listen, our sincere tears will show them how deeply we care. Should they get angry with us, do not hold it against them.
原文：谏不入，悦复谏，号泣随，挞无怨。
Should，Should，Should，Should，通篇的都是你们这些孩子Should，却不见什么you can，用各种奇奇怪怪、严严密密的封条，把一个小孩子勒得死死的，如果那个家长严格按照这般要求孩子，那得来的势必是一个只会点头应头，呆呆板板的工具娃。
Being a good person？抱歉，我丝毫没看到。
我不知净空的基金会把这坨人屎翻译成洋屎是意欲何为，莫非国人吃了还不够，还要洋大人也再吃一回吗？也许是因为道在屎溺，且人有中西，佛没有中西吧。净空是兼通佛道的大手子，一生厉行众生平等，有糟同粕，有屎均沾，这种让环球同此凉热的精神，实在令人感动。
但鄙人比较狭隘，屎吧，自己不小心吃了也就认了，可没有大手子的胸怀，也无意传屎于人，更断断不会拿他再给娃娃吃的。
珍惜生命，远离糟粕！

[Hannah Marie. Marie]

My first book to finish in Chinese! Yes I did line by line translating and learned new words through multiple repetitions, but it was good to get my mind back in Mandarin vocabulary. My next few will be kid’s stories so might take a little quicker! 一小一小学习 （trying to say, studying little by little ;)

[The Modest Yin]

The book is translated from Confucius's teachings of standards for being a good student and child. The writing style is also simple and easy to understand, especially with the footnotes. It teaches not only a child but also everyone else about how to be dutiful to parents, respect the elders, love equally and study further to enhance the quality of cultural and spiritual life. Though at first glance it seems to include many "complicated" precepts in the current modern days, its roots and consequences will never go out of style.

I believe by following the words of wisdom written in the book, one can benefit tremendously and attain the ultimate happiness in everyday life.