The Archer: The Arrow of Truth Piercing the Human Heart

Every year during Tet, we exchange wishes for good health, wealth, and peace. But have you ever asked why we offer these specific blessings? Behind these customary greetings lies a deeper lesson about love and a sacred mission that not everyone recognizes.

Tet is the season when our ancestors established a time for joy, kindness, and mutual care. Even if we spent the year in anger or resentment, the three days of Tet invite us to smile and share well-wishes. As Venerable Thich Chan Quang teaches, wherever there is compassion, there is happiness. This is an absolute formula. Thus, the custom of Tet serves as an eternal teaching: humans must love one another, and from this love, happiness naturally arises. It is more than tradition; it is a profound spiritual lesson.

When we care for someone, we wish them happiness, yet we often lack the capacity to help them directly. Consequently, words of blessing emerge as a way to express affection without concrete action. The teacher explains that because we love deeply but cannot always assist, we are left with only our wishes. A blessing spoken from the heart carries depth and sincerity. This sentiment marks the beginning of a greater spiritual journey.

A Buddhist views the new year not just with joy, but with an understanding of impermanence (anicca). Recognizing that all things change allows us to release attachment to the world, bringing peace to the mind. Those who cling to everything, treating worldly matters as ultimate truths, suffer immensely. However, impermanence also teaches us to value time. Moments pass and never return, so we must diligently use every hour for beneficial work. Wasting time is considered a transgression that may even shorten one’s lifespan.

In spiritual practice, newcomers often rush into meditative concentration or chanting. Yet, without sufficient merit, progress remains elusive. If we realize we have not accumulated enough merit, we must prioritize creating it first. Only then can we increase our time in meditation. Merit is built by helping others and directly guiding those unfamiliar with the Dharma. This direct service generates greater merit than indirect acts of charity. This defines the role of a disciple of the Buddha: entering the world like an archer.

There are three types of hunters in this world. First, those who hunt animals, a practice now largely prohibited. Second, corporations that hunt for intellectual talent. Third, disciples of the Buddha who hunt for souls to awaken them to truth. These disciples carry the bow and arrow of dharma, seeking those who do not yet know the teachings. They aim to pierce the heart with a single shot of truth.

As described, the arrow of truth strikes with such power that the recipient collapses before the reality of the teaching. There are no words needed; they simply kneel before the truth. Those who were once stubborn or arrogant learn to love, respect elders, and return to prostrate before the altar of the Buddha. Our mission is to become skilled archers, piercing hearts with the teachings of the Buddha.

Let us make a vow today to become special archers, carrying the bow and arrow of dharma into the world. Every encounter, every gentle word, and every act of compassion can be an arrow that touches someone’s heart. Begin now, so that your arrow never misses its mark.