Do Not Be a Burden to the World: A Profound Lesson from Venerable Thich Chan Quang

Have you ever wondered what eyes people turn toward when you enter a room? Do they smile warmly, or do they quietly look away? Perhaps you have experienced the feeling of becoming a burden to someone. This is not because you are evil, but simply because you lack something. In this sacred season of Vu Lan, Venerable Thich Chan Quang offers a very practical lesson on this truth.

When you appear, how do others react?

Venerable Chan Quang asks a simple question. What attitude do people show when they see you? There are four types of reactions. People may ignore you, frown and turn away, smile and nod in greeting, or run over with joyous praise. The first two are unfortunate. Even the third, being greeted with a smile, is something we might dream of. But why is that so?

He explains our fate clearly. First, we can be a burden to others. Second, our presence can become support, joy, happiness, and abundance for them.

Two paths: burden or refuge?

The teacher boils it down to two reasons. One is that when we appear, we become a burden to others. Two is that we become a place of refuge and help for others. What creates this difference? He explains that we become a burden because we lack. We become a refuge because we have enough.

In childhood and old age, everyone must rely on others. But human value lies in the middle years, when we have health, wisdom, and knowledge. If we are still a burden then, our presence brings misfortune to our family, society, and country.

Four lacks that make us a burden

The teacher points out four things. If we lack these, we become a burden to everyone. Conversely, if we have an abundance of them, we become a place of refuge.

First, lacking health. Sick people always need care. For example, in the forest, one injured person forces the whole hunting party to stop and tend to them.

Second, lacking knowledge. Not knowing how to act causes disaster. A careless welder could burn down a building and take sixty lives.

Third, lacking morality. An immoral person is a worry for their family and community. In contrast, a virtuous person calms others and resolves disputes.

Fourth, lacking merit. Those without money must borrow, causing difficulty for the wealthy. Yet those with abundant merit help those who lack.

Lacking health, knowledge, and morality all make us a burden to this life. Only those with abundant merit become a place of refuge for others.

Debt and how to repay it

When we lack merit, we owe a debt to others. Debt must be repaid. There are three ways to pay it back. We may return as a rich person to repay comfortably. We may return as a poor person to repay through hard labor. Or we may return as an animal to repay with flesh and blood. The teacher emphasizes that love in this world is actually a debt from past lives.

Love in this world is never truly real; it is only debt. For instance, if a husband and wife marry, and one says, "I love him deeply," it means they owe him.

So when you meet someone you love, understand that you are repaying a debt. This reminder helps us avoid illusions about feelings and keeps us mindful of cause and effect (karmic law).

How to become a place of refuge?

The teacher teaches how to cultivate abundance in these four areas.

For health, practice qigong or martial arts. Eat and sleep reasonably. Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and wastefulness.

For knowledge, keep learning. Read books and update yourself with new science and technology. Knowledge is never excessive; it can save a life.

For morality, cultivate compassion and kindness. Do not blindly favor your own children foolishly. A moral person is a pillar for the community.

For merit, practice spiritual cultivation, generosity, releasing animals, doing volunteer work, and helping others.

Every day, ask yourself. Am I having enough, or am I lacking? Do not let yourself become a burden. Cultivate your mind and body, sharpen your knowledge, live morally, and create merit. Then, every time you appear, you will bring joy to others, not worry. This Vu Lan season, start with yourself.