小朋友!你们坐在那儿,手又动、脚又摇、头又晃,要把头搬到脚那里去,又要把脚搬到头上,这就是颠倒。有这种种不好的动作,心里就昏乱,读什么书也记不下。应该端然正坐,头脑冷静,对老师所讲的任何课,特别留神,这样才能吸收知识。读书有很简单的方法,就是“三上、三到”。
Young friends, you are sitting there, moving your hands, swinging your legs, shaking your heads, wanting to move your heads to where your legs are, then again wanting to move your legs to where the head is. That is being upside-down. When you are moving around like that, your mind is confused and muddled. Then you won't be able to memorize what you have studied. You should sit upright with a clear head and concentrate on the teacher's lecture. That way you'll be able to absorb knowledge.
“三上”:路上、枕上、厕上。在路上走,一边在想:“今天老师教我什么课呢?那个字怎么写?那句话什么意义?”在路上走时,要不停地思惟刚学习的功课。回到家里,每天晚间躺到床上,还没有睡着之前,应该把当天所学的课重新默念一遍,这时候你的脑海里没有那么多杂念,应该很容易记得。在厕上,也不要浪费时间打妄想,还是在心里研究课本。
There is a very simple method of study that involves three places and three faculties. The three places for studying are: on the road, on the pillow and on the toilet. When you're walking down the road, you can think to yourself: "What did the teacher teach today? How is that word written? What is the meaning of this sentence?" Walking along, you contemplate what you have just learned at school. Back home, every night before you fall asleep, you should also mentally review what you have learned that day. At that moment, your mind doesn't have too many random thoughts, so you should be able to memorize things easily. When you go to the toilet, you shouldn't waste time daydreaming, but should instead review your lessons.
“三到”:眼到、口到、心到。用眼看书,用口读诵,用心思惟研究。这三到缺一不可。要用冷静的头脑分析所学到的道理,才不至辜负老师们的心血和时间。 记住!你们努力读书,长大后要利益社会,造福人类!
The three faculties you use in studying are: the eyes, the mouth, and the mind. You use your eyes to read, your mouth to recite, and your mind to contemplate. You cannot overlook any one of these three faculties. Analyze the principles you have learned with a clear head, so you won't disappoint the teachers after all the time and effort they have expended in teaching you. Remember to study hard, contribute to society when you grow up, and benefit all of humanity.