Loving Without Trusting: Finding Peace in a Deceptive World

Have you ever felt exhausted by the constant need to guard yourself against those around you? From locked doors and surveillance cameras to broken promises, life seems to erode our faith in others. Yet, there is another path: a society of mutual support where people love one another without suspicion, and trust forms the foundation of happiness. This is the profound message Venerable Thich Chan Quang shares in his dharma talk titled "A Society of Mutual Support."

## Two Worlds: Destruction and Support

Venerable Thich Chan Quang begins by contrasting the animal realm with the heavenly realms. In the world of animals, absolute destruction is the law of survival; a tiger mother may devour her young when water is scarce, and wolves turn on their own kind when hungry. Conversely, devas in the heavens live in love and mutual assistance, free from jealousy or hatred. Human beings stand in the middle, suspended between these two worlds.

He states, "It is precisely this mind of harm and mutual destruction that brings about the end of this world; there is nothing strange about it." What does this mean? If we surrender to selfish instincts, we fall back into a world of destruction. But if we practice cultivation and move toward goodness, we gradually advance toward a world of mutual support, where true peace and happiness reside. The choice lies within each of us.

## Trust – An Invaluable Gift

The teacher recounts a story of a wealthy director who meets a beggar. The director laments the pressure of paying salaries for hundreds of employees, worrying about taxes and police, never sleeping peacefully. Meanwhile, the beggar asks for only one coin, having no worries and facing no scrutiny. Finally, the beggar hands over the entire stack of money he has collected, saying, "Please stop complaining. Keep trying your best."

This story startles us into realization: perhaps wealth does not bring happiness but merely prolongs anxiety. What matters is not the amount of money we possess, but the trust we place in one another. When people live together with confidence in each other, we save countless expenses on protection and reduce immense worry, allowing the mind/heart to remain serene. This is blessings from merit.

Therefore, he teaches, "To gift the world with reliability, the merit we accumulate is very great." Those who keep their promises and live with integrity give everyone peace of mind. Such individuals receive the highest blessings. Ancient Confucian scholars often knew the day and hour of their death because they upheld integrity completely; their minds were pure, making meditative concentration easy to attain. Buddhism also teaches this: do not lie, do not break promises, so that others may feel secure.

## Loving Without Trusting: The Courage of a Buddhist

Today, amidst a deceitful world, Buddhists must learn a paradox: to love everyone but trust no one specifically. Love is compassion, extending oneself to all sentient beings. Trust is opening one’s heart without defense toward a specific person. However, since this world is not yet a holy realm, we must remain vigilant. This sounds bitter, but it is true courage.

As the teacher says, "Love them, but do not trust them. That is the baggage, the courage of a Buddhist walking through this life." If we love without trusting, is happiness complete? Perhaps not entirely, but such caution is necessary to avoid injury and protect our mind/heart. Are Buddhists groundlessly suspicious? No. They love all beings but remain wise, clearly understanding that this world still holds much gossip and trouble. This is how one practices safely and firmly amidst the flow of life.

## Living to Gift Trust

Another touching story involves truck driver Phan Van Bac, who rammed his vehicle to block a runaway bus on a mountain pass, saving dozens of lives. In that split second, he did not hesitate or calculate. Why? Because he had long cultivated a wholesome mind. When the opportunity arose, he acted immediately—this was the karmic result of a soul always ready to help others.

The teacher asks, "When someone decides to perform a good deed instantly, does their mind have to struggle at that moment? No." Reading this story reminds us of the teacher’s instruction: live to gift the world trust and peace of mind through small daily actions. A kept promise, an uncalculated act of help, a sincere heart—all nurture a society of mutual support.

## Starting Today

Amidst this noisy world, do not let your mind close off due to doubt. Love everyone, but always remain wise. Live according to the Buddha's teachings: keep your promises, be truthful, and give away trust. Every step taken to the temple, every sutra recited, and every kind action are drops of water filling the lake of merit day by day. Eventually, when the lake is full, our hearts will overflow with love, and the society around us will become warmer. Begin today—with a single gift of trust.