Why Does Everyone Seem to Have Their Own Truth, Yet So Few Can Truly Help Others?

Forming positive connections with all beings is the essential art of a Bodhisattva. Through this dharma talk, Venerable Thich Chan Quang highlights three types of beings and explains how to sow the seeds of connection so they may listen.

Have you ever tried to speak reason, to show the right path, only to have the listener remain unmoved? Have you ever felt rich in knowledge of the teachings, yet when you share it, people turn away? If so, you have touched upon a profoundly important matter on the path of practice: forming wholesome connections with all beings.

A Bodhisattva’s Mind Is Not Self-Centered

Venerable Thich Chan Quang begins the dharma talk with a very relatable example: a person comes to the temple, kneels before the Buddha, and prays for their own suffering to lessen. This person has a mind of devotion, but it is not yet the mind of a Bodhisattva, for it still thinks only of the self. A Bodhisattva, upon hearing the teaching of cause and effect, immediately thinks of bringing that understanding to help everyone. The Venerable reflects:

The mind of a Bodhisattva is like this: the moment they receive a true teaching, their thoughts turn immediately to all beings, no longer dwelling on themselves.

Why Do People Not Listen to Profound Truths?

Many practitioners study the doctrines very well, but when they go out to share with others, no one is willing to listen. The Venerable points out the issue:

You may have a heart full of teachings and a mind filled with wisdom, yet when you step into the world to guide others... the problem is, no one listens.

This shows that having the mind of a Bodhisattva is one thing, but having the Bodhisattva’s connection is another. To successfully guide others, beyond wisdom, we must plant seeds of wholesome connection so that people are willing to listen and accept us.

Three Types of Beings in the Work of Guidance

The Venerable clearly distinguishes three kinds of people a Bodhisattva encounters when spreading the Dharma:

Beings who do not dislike you: When they hear a reasonable teaching, they may accept it. But if they hold resentment from past lives, no matter how well you speak, they will not listen.

Beings who possess their own wisdom: They love the teachings more than the person teaching. They listen and find it wonderful, but they pay little attention to the speaker. This is due to their own inherent goodness, not necessarily a connection with you.

Beings with deep connections from the past: They have met you across many lifetimes, so when they hear a dharma talk, they are moved, feel deep respect and affection, and quickly develop faith to practice. This is the wholesome connection that a Bodhisattva must nurture over many lifetimes.

The Venerable affirms: to encounter this third type of being, we cannot use advertising tricks or promotional techniques. This connection is the fruit of humility, service, and love cultivated over countless lifetimes.

Do not use contrived methods; you must practice humility, service, and love through many lifetimes. This is the karmic law for forming wholesome connections with beings.

How to Sow Wholesome Connections from Simple Things

In the dharma talk, the Venerable shares from his own learning: when he studied Chinese characters, he always thought of compiling notes so others could learn more easily. Because of this mindset, the learning felt light, as if aided by supportive conditions. He also reminds parents: do not tell children to study just to find a job, but teach them that learning today helps the world tomorrow. This altruistic mind is the seed of a Bodhisattva.

Let Us Begin Today

Each of us, upon hearing a precious teaching or a profound dharma practice, should immediately think of sharing it with others. Do not keep it for yourself alone. Step by step, practice humility, service, and loving-kindness. Who knows, within this very lifetime, we may plant seeds of wholesome connection for countless lives to come.

May every being quickly give rise to the Bodhisattva mind, bringing the light of the Dharma to all places.