Bodhisattvas Hidden in the World: Why Do Saints Choose Not to Reveal Themselves?

Venerable Thich Chan Quang reveals how bodhisattvas live anonymously among us. The mind of a bodhisattva is one that constantly thinks of all sentient beings, marked by profound sacrifice. Have you ever recognized such figures in your daily life?

Have you ever met someone who appears utterly ordinary, perhaps even rustic, yet whose every word is saturated with spiritual truth? Venerable Thich Chan Quang recounts meeting an elderly nun during his childhood. She lived quietly, leaving no remarkable trace, yet she spoke of meditation and wisdom in ways that were strange and deep. He thought to himself, "She is not an ordinary person." There are indeed bodhisattvas who hide their identities, living silently in the world, invisible to the untrained eye.

Two Types of People: Those Who Litter and Those Who Clean Up

The teacher divides the world into two kinds of people. One type loves to litter; despite being wealthy or refined, they discard waste carelessly wherever they please. These are those who destroy the world. The other type sees trash and picks it up, always cleaning and building. In spiritual practice, this distinction remains. Some focus solely on themselves, seeking enlightenment, supernatural powers, or personal merit. Others, upon entering the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), immediately think of all sentient beings.

"As soon as we achieve something, we wish for others to surpass us. This is the mind of a bodhisattva."

The Bodhisattva Mind: Achieving Success to Think of Others

After years of hard work, when we become wealthy, most of us immediately think of buying houses and cars for our own enjoyment. Yet, very few people, once rich, ask themselves, "How can I help everyone else become wealthy too?" It is the same in cultivation. When we possess a little blessing from merit or peace, we instantly wish for all beings to follow the right path. This mindset does not form in just one or two lifetimes; it is a seed planted hundreds of lives ago.

"The moment we accomplish anything, our heart yearns for everyone else to achieve the same, or even more. Whoever has this mind is either a bodhisattva or possesses a very strong bodhisattva seed."

Merit and Invincibility

When we have merit, confidence naturally arises without fear. The teacher tells the story of Napoleon during a fierce battle against Spain. Amidst intense gunfire, soldiers hid for cover. Alone, Napoleon stood at the front, loading and firing cannons in return. While everyone was terrified, he remained calm, leading his army to victory. The teacher explains, "Having merit within makes us unafraid of death, ready to sacrifice, and filled with confidence." This is protection through merit.

"Merit naturally grants us this inner confidence."

The Sacrifice of Saints: Descending to Restore the Light

The teacher notes that saints do not always appear openly. When the Buddha arose in the world, countless beings ascended to heavenly realms, but many also fell into hell due to opposing him. Saints must calculate carefully: the number benefiting must be ten, hundred, or thousand times greater than those falling. However, sometimes the Dharma faces crisis, goodness weakens, and evil prevails. Even if the numbers of those saved and those lost are equal, a bodhisattva still accepts the descent.

"For a saint to come to this world, they must calculate... If no saint comes, Buddhism will perish."

They accept being pierced by thousands of arrows, cursed, and humiliated. But like a war elephant facing the charge, they continue walking, each step blooming with millions of lotus flowers.

The Veil of Ignorance: When Saints Forget Themselves

The teacher also discusses the phenomenon of changing bodies during rebirth. When a fetus forms, there is no brain structure or memory; growing up, nothing is remembered. Even a bodhisattva who attained enlightenment in a previous life forgets everything. Cause and effect (karmic law) remain, but ignorance covers them. For example, when the Dalai Lama received a letter written in his previous life, he did not remember writing it. Everything seemed foreign. Only familiar objects triggered recognition.

"The veil of ignorance affects all rebirths. However, some recall quickly, while others recall slowly, depending on the individual and conditions (dependent origination)."

Therefore, do not rush to judge anyone. Behind a humble exterior may lie a hidden saint who has never revealed themselves. Let us nurture the bodhisattva mind within ourselves, so that whenever we achieve anything, we think first of all sentient beings.