Adapting to Conditions While Remaining Unchanging – The Great Strength of a Buddhist Practitioner

Have you ever wondered why, within the same tradition of Buddhism, one temple chants sutras in one style while another does so differently? Why do some places perform elaborate rituals while others keep them simple? Has the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) changed arbitrarily with the times?

In an early-year lecture, Venerable Thich Chan Quang opened up the answer through a pair of concepts that seem contradictory: adapting to conditions and remaining unchanging. In practice and in spreading the teachings, this is the great strength of Buddhism – the strength to know what must never change, and to skillfully change what is needed to fit every circumstance.

Unchanging – The Roots That Cannot Be Shaken

There are principles taught by the Buddha that serve as foundations, which must not be lost even at the cost of one’s life. The first is faith in the law of cause and effect (karmic law) and samsara (cycle of rebirth). Venerable Chan Quang emphasized:

Faith and understanding of the law of cause and effect (karmic law), and of samsara (cycle of rebirth), are things we must never lose, no matter what others say. This universe, this world, this life is governed by a gentle yet hidden law of cause and effect (karmic law). Whoever creates any cause will certainly receive its corresponding result.

It is this very faith that forms the basis of morality. When anger arises, we remember the karmic consequences of speech, and we choose silence. When greed arises, we remember the cycle of birth and death, and we practice letting go. Understanding samsara (cycle of rebirth), we see that we have lived and died through countless eons, and we no longer fear death.

Furthermore, the ideal of enlightenment and liberation, along with compassion for all sentient beings, are also unchanging truths. The teacher said: "Even if someone offers mountains of gold and silver to tempt us to abandon these ideals, we refuse." And the Four Noble Truths – the Buddha’s first teaching – are eternal truths that must never be contradicted.

Adapting to Conditions – Skillful Adjustment to Bring the Dharma into Life

However, Buddhism is not rigid. On the contrary, it is highly flexible. Rituals, chanting styles, robes, language, and music can all change to suit culture and era. Venerable Chan Quang gave the example of language:

We must always use the language of the people sitting before us.

If a teacher speaks to northerners, he uses the northern accent; if speaking to those in Saigon, he uses the local urban dialect. This ensures that practitioners understand eighty to ninety percent of the dharma talk, allowing the teachings to be transmitted fully.

Similarly, regarding robes, during the time of the Buddha, monks wore wraps in the Indian style. When Buddhism spread to China, monastics quickly adopted garments with sleeves and trouser legs to facilitate daily life, yet they kept the outer robe as a symbol of tradition. The teacher noted:

We only need our mind/heart to resemble that of the Buddha. As for external forms, they must align with the society in which we live.

Do Not Cling to Form, Keep the Buddha’s Spirit

Clinging to external forms can easily make Buddhism seem alien, even hindering the opportunity to teach and transform. People may feel afraid or hesitant to approach. Conversely, when practitioners know how to adapt to conditions, they can connect with everyone while maintaining their right view. For instance, one does not abandon Buddhism but still respects those of other faiths. The teacher said: "Within the unchanging lies the ability to adapt, meaning we must still rejoice in and respect those of other religions." When meeting followers of Caodaism, Tiên religion, or Christianity, we continue to love and treat them kindly, upholding the dignity of Buddhism.

Applying This in Daily Life – Being a Bodhisattva in the World

Remaining unchanging does not mean escaping from life. Many prefer quietude, but when necessary, they must step into noisy environments to benefit sentient beings. The teacher encouraged: "When you are free in the afternoon, go to the park, find street children, talk with them, and help them believe in cause and effect (karmic law)." These are bodhisattvas amidst the hardships of life.

Monastics of old did the same – immersing themselves in farmers’ lives, working in fields and digging irrigation channels, yet maintaining their integrity and chanting sutras late into the night. They exemplified the balance of adapting to conditions while remaining unchanging. Through this, Buddhism permeated daily life and transformed human hearts.

Choosing a Life of Adaptation and Constancy Today

In modern society, each of us can apply this principle. We hold firm to faith in cause and effect (karmic law), samsara (cycle of rebirth), and compassion; yet we remain flexible in our behavior, work, and communication. When working with colleagues who hold different beliefs, we stay friendly; when living in a noisy environment, we maintain inner stillness.

Finally, remember the teacher’s words: "This is the great strength of Buddhism, hard to find in other religions." We do not need to force everyone to be the same. We only need everyone to keep the Buddha’s mind/heart – unchanging in every circumstance, adapting to conditions without losing oneself.

May every child of the Buddha learn to adapt to conditions so the Dharma draws near to life, and to remain unchanging so the mind/heart stays close to the Buddha.