The Swan Soaring High: The Secret of Generosity

Venerable Thich Chan Quang’s teaching offers a profound insight into compassion. Instead of harboring negative thoughts, we are encouraged to practice empathy and defend others, much like a swan soaring high above a small pond.

Have you ever seen someone who always smiles and thought, “This person must be deceitful”? Or have you watched someone walking slowly and told yourself, “They are lazy; perhaps they are about to pickpocket someone”? If so, you are not alone. This is a common human ailment, yet it can close the door to our spiritual practice. Today, let us listen to a story from the Dhammapada to reflect upon our own minds.

**The Story of Mahakasyapa and the Verse "The Swan Soaring High"**

One year, the Buddha spent the rainy season retreat in Rajagaha. When the retreat ended, He announced His intention to travel, and the bhikkhus began preparing their belongings. Only Venerable Mahakasyapa remained serene, doing nothing at all. Some bhikkhus saw this and formed negative judgments: “He must be attached to Rajagaha and unwilling to follow the Buddha because he has many wealthy relatives here.”

The Buddha knew their thoughts. He immediately corrected them and praised the conduct of Venerable Mahakasyapa. Then, He recited a verse:

*Self-encouraged mindfulness, caring for no house or home, like a swan flying high, leaving behind the small pond.*

The Buddha used the image of a swan flying high to illustrate a practitioner who is unburdened by worldly affairs, free and at ease like a swan leaving a narrow pond to spread its wings toward the sky.

**The Habit of Thinking Ill of Others**

Through this story, Teacher Chan Quang points out a very common human psychology: the tendency to think ill of others. He explains that if you take one hundred people, ninety of them enjoy thinking negatively about others. Only about ten people with steady practice do not fall into this trap. Merely one or two percent of people naturally prefer to think well of others.

It is precisely this habit that causes sentient beings to form unhealthy connections. Every time we think ill of someone, we create an unwholesome condition (duyên). Sometimes we do not speak these thoughts aloud, but they silently lead us to challenging encounters where morality is tested, and often, we fail.

**The "Lawyer" and the "Prosecutor" Within**

How can we heal this ailment? Teacher Chan Quang offers a vivid metaphor. If within the courtroom of your heart there is only a prosecutor and no lawyer, then you are like a demon. You condemn everyone you meet, unable to defend anyone.

A good person knows how to play the role of the lawyer within their own heart. When seeing others make mistakes, we seek to understand the causes and circumstances, reducing their blame. Just as a lawyer seeks to mitigate charges for their client in court, those with generous hearts do not harbor hatred but always maintain a view of empathy and sharing.

For example, consider a person who frequently smiles. A negative mind thinks, “This guy is cunning and inappropriate.” A positive mind thinks, “This person’s heart is joyful and peaceful.” It is the same action, but different ways of thinking create entirely different inner worlds. The teacher reminds us: “If you wish to see evil, you will see evil. If you wish to see good, you will see good.”

**Better That Others Betray Us Than We Betray Them**

Teacher Chan Quang tells the story of Cao Cao, a figure famous for his suspicion. When his host sharpened a knife to slaughter a pig for dinner, Cao Cao mistakenly believed the host intended to kill him. In fear, he slaughtered the entire household. After realizing his error, he did not feel remorse but declared:

“I would rather betray others than allow others to betray me.”

This statement left behind a cruel motto, causing countless people to treat each other poorly. The teacher smiled and proposed a correction for Cao Cao:

“Let others betray me, but I will never betray others.”

If we consistently think well of others, we might sometimes be deceived. However, that is karma from the past that must be repaid. Meanwhile, devas and holy beings will love and protect us. Our mind remains peaceful, our morality grows, and our compassion expands.

**Karmic Law and the Responsibility of Teachers**

The Buddha defended His disciple not merely out of affection between teacher and student, but because He understood the fairness of cause and effect (karmic law). If anyone thinks ill of a good person, they incur negative karma. A true teacher must prevent this. Simultaneously, good people deserve respect; that is justice. The teacher also warns:

“Anyone who believes that practicing a sublime dharma allows them to escape cause and effect will immediately fall into the animal realm.”

No one exists outside of cause and effect. Every word and action carries karma. When we hear others slander someone and know it is untrue, yet lack the courage to offer a word of defense, that negative karma falls upon us too. Therefore, tolerance and empathy are not just virtues; they are forms of self-protection.

Practice viewing the world through the eyes of a lawyer. Before condemning others, try to find a reason to understand them. This is the beginning of compassion. When we think positively, heaven and earth open wide, and we ourselves become the swan soaring high, leaving behind the small pond of prejudice and doubt.

Each day, practice once: reduce negative thoughts and add one moment of empathy. Only then will our path of cultivation broaden, and our souls find peace. This is the lesson of the swan soaring high that the Buddha wishes to convey to us.