A group of students and their instructor visited the Dharma Realm Buddhist University campus at the Sagely City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in conjunction with their study of Eastern philosophies and religions. They attended ceremonies and a lecture, where they received the following encouragement from the Venerable Abbot.

Today we welcome the young and old as we meet here to investigate the principles of being human. It is said,

The plans for the day are made in the morning.
The plans for the year are made in the spring.
The plans for one's life are made in one's youth.

Whatever work we are going to do on a given day should be planned Out in the morning. Then things will proceed in an organized fashion. If we don't make plans, then the day will pass with nothing accomplished. We make plans in the morning, just as all of you had to plan ahead to come here early this morning from so far away. Without proper planning nothing succeeds. Students must first of all find a good teacher and build a firm foundation in morality and in study. A good teacher will teach you the proper road-the great, bright road. Secondly, you need good friends and fellow students. "Good friends" doesn't mean those that are good looking or good at flattery and have crooked minds. They must be superior, proper people who don't do bad deeds or break the school rules. It is said,

If you get near rouge, you will turn red.
If you handle ink, you will turn black.
If you dye something brown, it will turn brown.
If you use yellow dye, it will turn yellow.

Therefore, while you are young, choose your friends with care. Make quality friends, not friends that will bring harm to you.
You yourself must have proper thoughts and proper views. Whatever is proper, you should do; if something is improper, you shouldn't think, "I'll try that out." Young people are the leaders of tomorrow. Now, you are being educated, and this education is your foundation. When your foundation is well established, then you can build a thousand-storied tower-one that won't be affected in an earthquake. But without a good foundation, whatever you build won't be sturdy. So students must have solid foundations and good roots to turn back the catastrophes due in the world. We must create good people.

People are in this world to help the world and improve mankind, benefiting all under heaven. That should be your purpose in life. If you don't do things like this, then your presence in this world benefits no one and what use is there in being a human being? So when young, lay a firm, good foundation in education. In the future, no matter where you are, strive to benefit others, not yourself. Work for the betterment of all humankind and don't just think about yourself. Take a look at the big picture and not just the small one.