The Wolf Within the Human Heart: A Lesson on Cruelty from Venerable Thich Chan Quang

Have you ever heard the saying, “Man is a wolf to man”? These words of the ancients still carry their full weight in our modern times. In his dharma talk on “The Wolf,” Venerable Thich Chan Quang leads us through the deep layers of the soul. He reveals that cruelty is not limited to violent acts but also hides within extremely subtle behaviors.

Man is a wolf to man – Horror before cruel history

The ancients said, “Man is a wolf to man.” Venerable Thich Chan Quang cites this phrase as a warning about human nature. Looking at history, we see wars, killings, bloodshed, and severed heads. All these events demonstrate how cruel humans can become when they lose their kindness.

“Man is a wolf to man.”

When we stand before a war, we begin to understand why the ancients painfully recognized this truth. Scenes of slaughter from ancient times, or modern wars involving bombs and bullets, serve as evidence of human brutality. Even if we do not witness them directly, they remain undeniable proofs. Some peoples lived by instinct like wild animals, considering killing to be a normal occurrence.

Cruelty is not just killing – Subtleties in the mind

Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasizes that cruelty is not only found in gross actions. Sometimes it manifests through very small emotions that contain deep-seated malice.

“Cruelty is causing suffering to others. That is cruelty. But the cruel mind is the desire for others to suffer.”

Sometimes we do not kill or steal, yet when we see others suffering, we remain indifferent. Or when others fail, we feel a small joy in our hearts. These are the seeds of cruelty sprouting within our minds. If left unchecked, they will lead us to lower realms, even hell.

Altruism versus selfishness – The boundary between saints and demons

Within every person exist two opposing tendencies: compassionate love and selfish harm. Venerable Thich Chan Quang asserts that this is a path where we must make a choice.

“If altruism is the sign of a saint, then selfishness is the sign of an ordinary being.”

Selfishness is not merely self-interest; it is the seed of cruelty. When we think only of ourselves, we easily harm others. Therefore, to cut off the conditions for hell, we must choose the path of compassion and live altruistically.

Origins from animal lives – Seeds of good and evil in each person

The teacher also reveals a profound perspective on samsara (cycle of rebirth). Our current tendencies toward good or evil may originate from past lives spent as animals. Gentle herbivores, when reborn as humans, often find it easy to practice and to love. Conversely, fierce predators like tigers or leopards, when returning as humans, often carry aggression and a desire to harm others.

Thus, within each person, there is a struggle between two types of seeds: one from evil and one from good. If you notice yourself becoming easily angry or reacting violently, be cautious. This may be a trace of a past life as a fierce animal. The more clearly we understand these origins, the better our chance to purify them.

The view of a saint – Learning to see the good in others

In daily life, we often focus only on the faults of others while ignoring their virtues. Venerable Thich Chan Quang suggests that this is itself a manifestation of a cruel mind. When looking at people, we should practice seeing their goodness to awaken love.

“If you look at another person and do not see much of their goodness, but instead insist on focusing on their flaws, then I say your mind still holds cruelty. You cannot yet become a saint.”

In contrast, saints look down upon beings with eyes of compassion. They see the seeds of goodness in everyone, even those who are mistaken. We too need to learn to see in this way, allowing our souls to become pure and open.

Practicing to transform – The story of the old woman overcoming hatred

During a meditation retreat, the teacher shared the story of an elderly woman who was cheated out of her property and money, enduring great injustice. Through sitting in meditation, she let go of her resentment. She met the person who had deceived her and spoke with him happily. This was a miracle – the miracle of spiritual practice.

“Karma may bring people to cause you suffering or create adverse conditions. But if your mind does not crave suffering because your practice is steady, you will not be dragged down.”

Karmic retribution may arrive, but if we possess sufficient calmness, we will not be pulled under by it. We cannot prevent adverse circumstances, but we can choose not to let them cause us pain.

I invite all Buddhist practitioners to reflect: Is the wolf – the cruelty – still present in your heart, or has it vanished? Let us practice compassion together every day. See others as yourselves, so that this world may have one less wolf and one more saint.