Honored by the Wise, Hated by the Wicked: The Mission of Encouraging Goodness

When you encourage others to do good and prevent them from doing evil, you may face dislike. Yet, this is a noble mission taught by the Buddha. This article helps you understand why we must dare to offer guidance, how to build moral authority, and the process of helping others transform from negative to positive states.

Have you ever advised a close friend to do the right thing, only for them to become annoyed and distant? That feeling is bitter, but it is something anyone who dares to "encourage goodness" must face. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha taught about those who frequently admonish, encourage virtue, and restrain vice: they are respected by the wise but disliked by the wicked. Today, let us explore the deep meaning of this verse and learn how to become an authoritative guide in encouraging goodness.

## Lessons from a Verse

The story begins when some bhikkhus, disciples of Sariputta and Moggallana, lived recklessly and stubbornly. They insisted on following their own whims, even forming exclusive friendships with laypeople, which disrupted the harmony of the monastery. The Buddha asked these two great elders to strictly expel them from the monastery and to constantly remind, advise, and point out faults to everyone. From this incident, the Buddha taught:

Those who frequently admonish, encourage goodness, and restrain evil are respected by the wise but disliked by the wicked.

This is the foundational teaching on the mission of one who encourages goodness. However, in reality, when we dare to offer feedback or point out others' mistakes, we often receive irritation or even hatred. So, should we remain silent to keep the peace?

## Why Are Those Who Encourage Goodness Disliked?

Every person has an ego, and everyone feels uncomfortable when criticized. The Buddha understood this clearly, but He also taught that if we fear being disliked and therefore refuse to advise anyone, we incur another kind of fault:

If we do not dare to advise anyone because we fear being hated, we carry another sin. This sin leads to future consequences such as becoming mute, deaf, or blind. This happens because we see others making mistakes but fail to restrain them.

In modern life, we often stay silent to maintain harmony or avoid offending others. But this silence can allow others to sink deeper into error. How can we advise without being hated? The key is not to avoid speaking, but to speak with compassion and moral authority.

## Moral Authority: The Invisible Power Commanding Respect

Teacher Thich Chan Quang emphasized that "moral authority" is invisible and abstract, yet it has a profound impact. A person with moral authority commands respect; even spirits and deities hold them in awe. You can sense this when meeting someone who inspires reverence just by looking at them, even before they speak a word. Conversely, those lacking moral authority may be looked down upon simply through contact.

How do we accumulate moral authority? Teacher Chan Quang outlined three practices:

First, bow to the Buddha frequently: With sincere reverence, prostration, and making offerings.

Second, love all beings: With a generous, broad, and tolerant heart.

Third, dare to advise others: When seeing someone err, speak up for their benefit.

Accumulating these three qualities gradually increases moral authority. When authority is strong, we are like those whose virtue strikes fear into demons. It is precisely due to moral authority that malevolent forces dare not approach, and even sleep paralysis does not occur for those with high spiritual standing.

## Four Steps to Help Others Transform

Advising is not merely criticizing; it is a process of transformation. Teacher Chan Quang presented four specific steps:

From bad to better: Help the person reduce bad habits and live more kindly.

From better to good: Continue encouraging them to perform virtuous deeds and cultivate ethics.

From good to one who advises others: Once they are stable, they can spread goodness to many people.

From good to one who practices the path: Guide them to enter the spiritual journey toward enlightenment.

However, do not rush. If you meet someone with negative tendencies and immediately urge them to practice meditation, they will react poorly. Start at an appropriate level, observing their feelings first.

## Each Person Is a Positive Interaction for the World

In an era of information explosion, human interaction is more powerful than ever. Negative and harmful information spreads like a virus. Therefore, disciples of the Buddha must strive to create positive interactions. The teacher mentioned the upcoming International Vesak celebration in Vietnam, calling on everyone to contribute in their own way:

From now until Vesak Day, whenever we meet anyone—at work or in our neighborhoods—let us ask them: "Do you know what is approaching?" If they do not, tell them that a significant event is coming for the Vietnamese people: the International Vesak Day.

We can buy cards, hang banners, ride bicycles wearing Vesak t-shirts, or simply share the meaning of this holiday with others. Every small action contributes to spreading goodness, making the world less dark and more happy.

## Become One Who Encourages Goodness

A person who encourages goodness is not one who likes to criticize, but one who possesses enough compassion and moral authority to dare to point out faults and help others progress. Remember, feeling disliked is unavoidable, but the joy of seeing others change—like a friend escaping darkness or a student maturing—is far greater.

Starting today, begin practicing three things: revere the Buddha, love people, and dare to advise. Little by little each day, your moral authority will grow, and you will become a lamp illuminating a small corner of life. This is the mission of one who encourages goodness—the mission of a sage following the example of the Buddha.