Steadfastness or Stubbornness? The Thin Line Leading to Two Different Destinies

In this dharma talk, Venerable Thich Chan Quang offers a profound perspective on the surprising similarity between holding firm to one’s principles and being stubbornly obstinate. It is the same act of clinging, yet one side represents righteousness while the other reflects selfishness. How can we recognize the difference and choose the right path? Have you ever wondered why some people are called "stubborn," while others are praised for their "steadfastness"? These two traits seem opposite, yet they often look identical. What creates the distinction? In a lecture at Phap Van, Venerable Thich Chan Quang precisely identified that boundary and showed us how to choose the correct path for ourselves.

Two Psychological States That Are Surprisingly Similar

Venerable Thich Chan Quang began with a question: "Who here sees themselves as stubborn?" Only four hands went up. Then he smiled and said, "So everyone else is well-behaved." This seemingly humorous anecdote opened a deep issue. He affirmed that steadfastness and stubbornness are very similar because both involve holding tightly to one’s viewpoint. However, when our stance aligns with justice, morality, and truth, we are considered steadfast. Conversely, when we cling fiercely to a selfish, wrong view, we are labeled as stubborn. Indeed, the behavior of holding onto a viewpoint is the same, but if it stands for righteousness, we become steadfast; if it stems from selfishness, we become obstinate. The difference lies not in whether we hold our views, but in the content and purpose of that persistence.

Walking the Right Path Brings Lasting Blessings; Walking the Wrong Path Leads to Endless Suffering

The teacher gave the example of soldiers going to battle to protect their country. They faced countless difficulties, despair, danger, and even sacrifice. Yet, because of their noble ideal—love for their homeland and compatriots—they remained steadfast. This endurance became their precious asset. He stated that a person who remains steadfast in truth, morality, and ideals, regardless of storms, hardships, or losses, will reap extremely durable and long-lasting blessings from merit. In contrast, a stubborn person only clings to their own will, ignoring the pain of others. He told of an employer who forced workers to exhaustion, even dictating that bathroom breaks could last no more than four and a half minutes per morning, with immediate dismissal for exceeding it. Such individuals will inevitably face karmic consequences of suffering due to their obstinacy.

The Root of Spiritual Strength Lies in Endurance

The teacher discovered an interesting insight: both the steadfast and the stubborn derive their foundation from spiritual strength, which is born from past experiences of hardship. Farmers harvesting rice under the midday sun, fishermen enduring rain and wind, and rural students overcoming obstacles—all accumulate willpower and resilience. Therefore, those who have experienced hard physical labor tend to possess greater spiritual strength. We see this often when top students come from rural areas; their perseverance grants them high mental fortitude. Consequently, parents—even wealthy ones—should find ways to let their children experience difficulty and endurance, as this is valuable preparation for life. He emphasized, "Parents who love their children must ensure they endure hardship, even if rich, so they may grow into good people."

The Decisive Turn Comes from Education and Environment

Once spiritual strength is established, a person stands at a crossroads. One branch leads upward, the other downward. The teacher cited the impact of books and moral lessons from childhood. From first grade, textbooks suggested noble virtues through stories about filial piety toward parents, respect for teachers, kindness to friends, and love for the homeland. Although these were mythical tales, they planted seeds in our hearts regarding cause and effect (karmic law) in this life. When nurtured, these beautiful values help people turn toward steadfastness in goodness. Conversely, living loosely, selfishly, and focused only on the ego makes one prone to sliding down the path of stubbornness.

The Path of Practice: From Picking Up Trash to Saving Lives

The teacher shared stories of young people participating in street cleanup movements. Initially, many felt ashamed. But upon realizing that picking up trash educates public consciousness, they began working with pride—dressing nicely, smiling brightly, and acting with dignity as if performing. Through this, they cultivated steadfastness, overcoming shyness and fatigue. Similarly, during flood seasons, youth from Phap Van brought life jackets and rescue boats to submerged areas. An elderly woman offered them burnt rice, saying she had nothing left to eat. They endured sun exposure and hardship, sometimes without time to put on safety gear, all to uphold the ideal of saving lives. He connected this by stating that enduring such hardships during storms builds further spiritual strength, specifically the steadfastness required to maintain good deeds.

Finally, the teacher reminded everyone to reflect on themselves. If you notice a tendency toward stubbornness, begin correcting it today. If you are hesitant, choose the path of justice, morality, and altruism. Though thorny, it leads to lasting peace and happiness. Steadfastness is not being stubborn about flaws, but maintaining noble ideals through practical action. A poor person striving to make offerings, a young person choosing to clean the environment, and a soldier sacrificing for the nation—all are flowers of steadfastness. Let each day pass as a choice to stand for what is right, making life radiant with every breath.