When looking back at ourselves, remember three important things

First, a human being has six senses, and five of them face outward; only the mind faculty shines inward. A practitioner must know how to “reflect back on oneself, which is one's own duty”, that is, to look back at ourselves and develop this faculty a hundredfold.

Second, when we look back at ourselves, we must be on guard against being deceived by the ego into always regarding ourselves as lofty and good. And in this world, the luckiest person is the one who judges themselves rightly, especially their shortcomings.

Third, let us remind ourselves to stay vigilant every day on three occasions: when bowing to the Buddha, when facing ourselves, and when meeting people. In each situation we have words of counsel, caution and admonition for ourselves. And only once we can teach ourselves can we teach others and stir their hearts. Those who have the affinity to leave home and become a lecturer stepping onto the Dharma seat, speaking words that move, awaken and change others, must first of all be able to teach themselves.

Let us repeat the verse:

May I always know my own faults

May I respect all beings

May love flood the whole Dharma realm

May I never shrink from sacrifice, all my life.

Worldly affairs are a horse's shadow passing a window

Live with all my heart, yet keep my heart unburdened

Believe in cause and effect, take refuge in the Three Jewels

The compassionate Buddha shelters me and waits.

I vow to practise diligently day by day

Whatever obstacles and temptations of wrongdoing

My heart is set on going forward along one path

What are lifetimes that pass so quickly?