Solitude Is Suffering, Harmony Is Happiness

Have you ever imagined walking through a deserted city, with no people in sight, only the sound of wind and crumbling buildings? That is the feeling of loneliness reaching a crisis point. Yet, in our daily lives, we often inadvertently take for granted the relationships around us. Venerable Thich Chan Quang begins his dharma talk on Harmony by stating an obvious truth: no individual exists independently within this universe.

Living in this world, we cannot separate ourselves from our surrounding environment. Even a falling yellow leaf or a crawling ant interacts with its surroundings. Despite this, we sometimes desire to live in isolation, wanting to distance ourselves from others. However, the need for contact, care, and love is a genuine reality that cannot be denied.

The suffering of solitude and the karmic consequences of betrayal are deeply connected. In his teaching, the Venerable recounts the story of Robinson Crusoe, who lived alone on a deserted island. Eventually, the author had to create a companion for him so he would have someone to talk to. This illustrates that human beings cannot endure prolonged solitude. When we betray affection and waste what we have, karma manifests as loss and scarcity. The Venerable gives examples of wealthy individuals who wasted food and later faced hunger, or directors who spent money recklessly and ended up with nothing.

Interpersonal relationships are both a necessity and a source of happiness; they are conditions for well-being. Therefore, if we live together in the same school or share the same ideals but treat our spiritual siblings with coldness and disregard, we will eventually suffer from loneliness and find it difficult to rely on friends. We must cherish the bonds we have now, because once lost, they are hard to recover.

The Six Harmonies form the foundation of concord in Buddhism. The Buddha taught the Sangha six principles of harmony, known as the Six Harmonies. Venerable Chan Quang emphasizes the first two: physical harmony in dwelling together and verbal harmony without conflict. Physical harmony means living together peacefully, relying on, trusting, and helping one another. Verbal harmony means avoiding arguments and disputes, keeping speech gentle and pleasing to others.

Harmony is most clearly expressed through our words. In everyday life, we speak more than we act. Speech is the first thread that establishes connection. If we do not practice guarding our words, we easily offend others, naturally giving rise to discord. The Venerable offers an example: when a fellow practitioner says abruptly, "Take that elsewhere," instead of speaking softly, it causes irritation in the listener. A single insensitive sentence is enough to break the atmosphere of peace.

Treating each other like family reveals that the bond of Dharma is more sacred than blood ties. After many years of practice, the Venerable realized that the love shared through the path of Dharma is the most sacred of all. He expresses that he loves his disciples more than anything else in this world. While this may sound idealistic, it is the result of practicing compassion. Within families, siblings may fight over inheritance due to a lack of virtue. But among strangers, if there is moral integrity, we can live more joyfully and happily.

To achieve this, we must pay attention to small details. When a fellow practitioner is ill, do we cook porridge, wash their clothes, or accompany them to the doctor? These small actions demonstrate our heart. If we cannot care for those within our community, how can we become moral role models for others outside?

Each of us is a link in the great assembly. Do not wait until something is lost to recognize its value. Start today: keep your speech gentle, offer a cup of tea to the person beside you, and provide care during illness. This is the practice of harmony according to the Buddha's teachings, allowing this life to be filled with joy and meaning.