Togetherness – Happiness or Karmic Result?

Every time Spring returns, our hearts stir with an unquenchable longing. Our homeland, our family, the warm laughter around the holiday meal – all of these are a sacred source of happiness. But have you ever asked yourself: why is togetherness so important? Is it merely a tradition, or does it hold deeper lessons about cause and effect (karmic law) and the spiritual life?

The Root of the Happiness of Togetherness

The Lunar New Year is the day of family. Everyone wants to gather with their loved ones. Thầy Thích Chân Quang tells us: "There are married couples who, at New Year, the wife wants to visit her side of the family while the husband wants to visit his, and they argue because they cannot go to both. But why do we still need to return to our families? Because it is a sacred day, a day of togetherness, a day of family."

"That is why many people, once they understand this, decide to stay single and raise pigs instead, not taking a husband or wife at all – less trouble, no conflict."

The truth is that no one is born to live alone. The happiness of gathering together is difficult to express in words. Like the composer Nguyễn Văn Thương in his song "Đêm đông" – he dreamed of a joyful family at a time when he had no money to return home for the New Year. That sorrow touches the very depths of the heart, showing us how immense the value of togetherness truly is.

The Karma of Loneliness – A Suffering No One Understands

The opposite of the happiness of togetherness is loneliness. Thầy Chân Quang speaks of those born carrying the karma of loneliness: a father who abandoned them, a mother who died, left to wander alone in the world. They are poor, with little education, with no friends, and when they see others enjoying lively company, they feel deeply forlorn.

Thầy points out a standard for measuring a person's blessings from merit:

"There is a standard for evaluating blessings from merit: how many people love and cherish you around you. That is a standard... When we look back at our lives, if the number of people who love us is not great, then we must understand that our blessings from merit are few."

Therefore, do not look down on loneliness. It is the ripened result of seeds planted long before. Hidden thoughts, words of criticism that no one knows about, discrimination between rich and poor – all of these create the karma of loneliness in the future.

Communication Is a Survival Need of Human Beings

Thầy emphasizes that communicating with the community brings three wonderful things:

It develops the brain – because we must think in order to communicate.

It shapes our character – through interaction we come to know who we are.

It brings joy – because human beings naturally fear loneliness and love liveliness.

That is why we so often gather with friends to eat, drink, and talk. Thầy says with humor: "Why do we drink? Talking – the more wine we drink, the more we talk. We talk to one another. Why do we talk so much? Because it's joyful!" – indeed, joy increases when we have someone to share it with.

Communicating the Right Way – The Key to Happiness

So when we meet others, what should we do? Thầy teaches: "The very first intention in our heart should be the vow to love and respect. Even if the other person does not know it. This is the first psychology of morality, of cause and effect (karmic law)." Next come words that express care, and actions that show love – a handshake, offering tea, giving lucky money...

In contrast, many people smile on the outside while cursing silently within. They criticize and insult others in secret. Thầy warns:

"Our thoughts are unknown to anyone, yet they all become karmic results. If someone laments, 'Thầy, my child was so well-behaved, so good at their studies, and suddenly they went mad' – that is because of their secret thoughts."

Learn to give rise to a loving heart the moment you meet anyone. Do not calculate, do not discriminate between high and low status. For if we cherish the poor and the rich alike, our circle of family and friends will grow ever more joyful.

Each Person Is a Small Temple

Thầy advises each of us to see ourselves as a child of the Buddha, and our heart as a small temple. The abbot of that temple must cherish everyone who sets foot inside. Do not let anyone walk away feeling forlorn.

Treat everyone with compassion, for every meeting is a precious opportunity to create merit. To love a poor person is to love Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva appearing in that form. When we can love everyone, we will never be alone.

This Spring, treasure every moment of togetherness with your family. And carry with you Thầy's teaching: give rise to a loving heart, speak words of care, do good deeds. That is the path leading to happiness, and it will dispel every cloud of the karma of loneliness. Homage to our original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.