Dharma Protectors: A Vital Lesson for Modern Buddhist Practitioners

In a temple in Taiwan, a nun shared with the teacher about young Buddhist disciples who were obedient and diligent in their service. She asked permission for three of them to ordain, and they agreed out of devotion to their master. Yet, she bitterly realized that there were no longer any candidates for ordination there, as the younger generation had stopped visiting temples. The Buddha's teachings (Dharma) are gradually fading away. This dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang serves as a wake-up call regarding this decline. More importantly, it points toward the path of "Dharma Protection," safeguarding the teachings so that the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) may endure forever.

### Why Can the Buddha's Teachings Decline?

We often assume that the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) exist naturally without threat, believing no one is actively attacking them. However, reality proves otherwise. The teacher compares this situation to a nation; true peace never exists because hostile forces always work silently to undermine stability. Buddhism faces a similar erosion, caused not by external enemies, but by the indifference and lack of responsibility among its own practitioners. While nations have defense systems to protect their sovereignty, Buddhism lacks a complete system for protecting the Dharma.

Within our tradition, we focus primarily on study and practice. Those with greater skill engage in spreading the teachings. Yet, the crucial role of protecting the Dharma has been neglected. Because this protective function is missing, Buddhism declines naturally, often without anyone understanding the reason behind it.

Consequently, in many places, young people no longer visit temples. The elderly pass away without successors to carry on the lineage. Without a vision for the future, Buddhism risks disappearing entirely.

### Moral Decay: The Greatest Challenge

The teacher warns of global moral decay, which leads to increasingly youthful criminal behavior. Many children between fourteen and eighteen years old commit serious crimes. Regarding sex education, many parents feel too shy to speak with their children, yet the youth already possess knowledge from sixth grade. The teacher recounts a story where a sixth-grader stated, "We know about love since sixth grade." More than half the class raised their hands in agreement. This is an alarming signal.

In a world suffering from such moral degradation, the role of Buddhist practitioners is to strive in their practice to contribute to building ethics for humanity.

Buddhist followers must become moral examples. Simultaneously, they need the courage to educate their children properly. This responsibility lies not only with schools but also with families.

### Know Yourself, Know Others: The Golden Principle for Protectors

To protect the Dharma without making mistakes, the teacher advises avoiding two extremes: paranoia and superficiality. Paranoia involves seeing enemies everywhere and imagining conspiracies, which creates negative karma through unjust accusations. Superficiality means failing to recognize threats right beside you, allowing others to exploit your goodwill. A protector of the Dharma must maintain a stable and clear mind.

Paranoia is seeing enemies in every direction. Superficiality is seeing no enemies at all.

To achieve this clarity, one cannot do anything other than cultivate meditative concentration and refine the Noble Eightfold Path. As Sun Tzu’s Art of War states, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles."

### Practical Action: Saving the Planet, Saving the Dharma

The teacher emphasizes that if the earth heats up and humanity perishes, there will be nothing left to discuss regarding spiritual practice. Therefore, protecting life is equivalent to protecting the Way. One sustainable action is reforestation, though this is a national duty. On a personal level, each individual can start within their own home. We can reinforce roofs to install solar panels, grow vegetables on rooftops, or cover structures with climbing plants. These small actions are practical and significant.

If this world continues to survive, we retain the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), the opportunity for practice, and the potential for enlightenment. If everyone dies in a few years, there will be nothing left to say.

The teacher also calls upon us to prioritize duties over rights, reflecting the law of cause and effect (karmic law). Without fulfilling duties, one cannot claim rights. This is the ethical foundation of society.

### Begin Today

Let each of us start with small, practical steps.

Practice meditative concentration daily to keep the mind clear and stable.

Educate your children about morality and sexuality frankly and seriously.

Contribute to environmental protection by planting trees, greening roofs, and installing solar energy systems.

Maintain unity and harmony with other religions, avoiding the creation of enmity.

Protecting the Dharma is not about preaching or debating. It is about living in accordance with the teachings, preserving our environment, and educating the next generation. Be a silent warrior for the Dharma, armed with wisdom and compassion.