What Three Qualities Does a Buddhist Need to Build Life and Dharma?

Have you ever wondered what qualities a true Buddhist needs in order to both practice the path and serve the world? Many people think that simply going to the temple to chant sutras and bow to the Buddha is enough. But Thầy Thích Chân Quang points out that a disciple of the Buddha needs a full set of foundational qualities in order to "build one's life while establishing the Dharma." Here are those qualities.

Health — the foundation of all service

Health is the first thing Thầy mentions. A practitioner who is weak and sickly can hardly fulfill their responsibilities. A country develops only when its people are healthy, and the same is true for Buddhism.

Without health, we cannot accomplish these things.

So how can we cultivate health? Thầy recommends practicing qigong for health preservation. This method is gentle, suitable for all ages, and yet remarkably effective.

In addition, we should stay away from indulgent and degrading lifestyles, because they drain our energy and weaken the body. When we come to the temple, let us not only chant sutras, but also exercise, listen to teachings, and practice meditative concentration. That is how we train both body and mind.

Wisdom — a Buddhist must be capable

A capable person is one with natural intelligence and good training. But not everyone is born intelligent, so Thầy points out that we can develop wisdom by helping others learn, teaching them what we know. At the same time, we should nurture a humble heart.

If we have that kind of heart, then three years later, our intelligence will suddenly blossom.

A capable person who is arrogant will soon collapse. But one who respects others and genuinely wishes for others to be better than themselves will see their wisdom grow day by day. That is the wonder of cause and effect (karmic law): if you want to be intelligent, help others become intelligent.

Morality — the core of a disciple of the Buddha

Morality is what gives a person their value. People come to Buddhism believing that the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) bring morality and help people live with love. Morality is nothing lofty or mysterious; it is simply how we treat one another each day. Thầy taught: "When everyone has such morality, it becomes a strength for the entire Buddhist community and for society."

When everyone has such morality, it becomes a strength for the entire Buddhist community and for society.

Living morally means knowing how to yield and to sacrifice, not competing to win or lose. It means rejoicing when others are praised, and accepting when we come up short. That is true happiness on the path.

Overcoming jealousy to create strength

We Vietnamese have a weakness: we tend toward jealousy and division. Thầy once told a humorous story about heaven: Vietnamese people could not get through the gate because they kept pulling each other back. It is a sad story, and one we need to change.

Vietnamese people have this trait: as soon as one person slips through, the one behind grabs their shirt and pulls them back. So they hold each other back, and none of them ever gets into heaven.

Studying Buddhism means learning to overcome that jealousy. When we see others succeed, let us sincerely rejoice and support them. Only then do we embody the spirit of compassion and non-self (anatta). If one person makes it into heaven, let them pull everyone else in as well. That is morality in action.

Let us begin today, with the smallest things. Train your health every day, open your heart to knowledge, and live kindly with everyone. When we practice in this way, we become true Buddhists, building our lives and establishing the Dharma. May each of us become a small light, helping to brighten the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) in our homeland.