True Confidence: The Secret to Standing Firm in Life

Have you ever entered a restaurant feeling hesitant, simply because you were unsure if you had enough money in your pocket? Or have you walked into an examination room with a racing heart because you did not fully grasp the material? In such moments, we lack something called confidence. But where does true confidence really come from? In his dharma talk titled "The Wonderful Function of the Heart Sutra," Venerable Thich Chan Quang presents a fascinating view on confidence, tracing the journey toward the absolute confidence of a Buddha.

True confidence begins with the smallest details. The teacher uses everyday examples: when we have money in our pockets, we enter a restaurant with dignity; when we study thoroughly, we enter an exam hall without anxiety. These are instances of confidence in daily life. However, he also tells the story of a person visited by five police officers. If there is stolen goods in the house, one immediately trembles. Yet, a virtuous person, though perhaps slightly nervous, remains calm.

Our confidence has its roots within, rather than being a mere facade. A seasoned criminal may appear composed, but in truth, they lack genuine confidence. Conversely, an honest person might feel shaken when facing authority, yet they retain their inner assurance. Confidence does not stem from outward appearances, but from a foundation of internal morality.

The greatest challenge we face is death itself. The teacher recounts the story of a journalist who volunteered to enter a prison to understand the mindset of those awaiting execution. When the guard shouted at him, "You are about to die!" the journalist panicked, losing his appetite and sleep. Only when the prison director appeared did he realize it was a test. From this, we see that when facing birth and death, those with merit remain alert, while those burdened by wrongdoing lose their confidence.

A person who has not accumulated much merit in life suddenly loses their composure when death approaches. In contrast, someone who has lived a lifetime of goodness feels confident stepping into the next realm, free from fear. It is precisely in these moments that we recognize the value of spiritual practice.

It is better for others to betray us than for us to betray them. A sincere Buddhist lives with compassion and accepts personal disadvantage. The teacher references the saying of Cao Cao: "I would rather betray others than let others betray me." This is a selfish way of living. Buddhists hold the opposite view.

It is better for others to betray us than for us to betray them. This is a difficult yet beautiful truth to live by. When we embody this principle, we walk through life with peace and equanimity. Living this way brings great joy: a clear conscience. We do not need to compete or win; we only need to avoid doing wrong and never betray anyone's trust.

Blessings from merit act as a protective fortress. After years of practice, a Buddhist disciple senses an energy of blessings shielding their life. Events that seem like disasters are often resolved miraculously. The teacher describes it thus:

Over the past ten or twenty years, the good deeds and kindness I have shown to others have become a fortress, a protective shell surrounding me, which no one can breach.

This is true confidence: freedom from the fear of poverty, unshaken by external circumstances. Even if life appears simple on the outside, the interior holds a world of solid peace.

From these small seeds of confidence, the practitioner progresses upward. Upon enlightenment, confidence transforms into realization. The teacher explains:

All Buddhas of the past, present, and future rely on the perfection of Prajna wisdom to attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, the supreme perfect enlightenment. This means all Buddhas throughout time have practiced according to Prajna to achieve this highest state. Supreme means there is nothing higher. This is the ultimate realization of the universe.

A Buddha is no longer confused, afraid, or shaken in any way. The confidence of a Buddha is indestructible.

Let us begin today. Venerable Thich Chan Quang’s teaching helps us see that to stand firm in confidence, we must practice Prajna wisdom, live with mindfulness, and cultivate compassion. Start with small steps: reflect on your life, correct a mistake, help another person. Then, confidence will arrive naturally as a consequence. The path to liberation lies open before us.