True Strength Is Not Mere Force

Have you ever wondered what truly makes a human being noble? During the Vu Lan festival, many people tearfully recall Maudgalyayana saving his mother. However, according to Venerable Thich Chan Quang, historical truth differs. The story actually concerns the mother of Shariputra, a wise and learned woman who only took refuge in the Buddha after seeing her son attain enlightenment. From this, the teacher reveals a profound lesson: physical strength is merely one part; more important is how we use it to make our mind/heart strong and noble.

### What Power Keeps Humanity Civilized?

In physics, force changes the state of an object. In life, power is the ability to change another person’s mind/heart and destiny. Physical strength is the most primitive form. Yet, humans possess far more subtle powers. These include intellectual power, such as calculation and creativity; artistic power, where music and poetry touch the heart; and beauty, which can stop even heroes in their tracks. As the teacher notes, while heroes may conquer any battlefield, they often struggle to pass the barrier of beauty. A computer software can drain a bank without firing a shot. All are forms of power, but physical force brings disaster most easily.

### When Physical Force Becomes Violence

In early times, humans needed muscles for survival. But driven by animal instincts, they easily killed one another. Today, violence persists but has become more sophisticated. The teacher explains that using physical force for personal revenge or hatred is violence and terrorism. However, using it to protect the community in critical situations is heroism. Both involve bloodshed, yet Ngo Quyen defeating the Southern Han army was heroic, while someone chasing others with a knife out of pride is a criminal. Recent news reports of massacres due to jealousy and pride cause us pain, making us ask if humans kill each other so easily.

### Ethics as the Compass for Physical Force

Physical force itself is not sinful. The trap lies in ensuring it is not misused. The teacher clarifies that ethics is what controls us from letting physical force erupt into brutal personal violence. Ethics is not weakness or empty words. It is the voice of conscience. When angry, we do not strike; when challenged, we remain calm. Only those with ethics are truly strong because they master their own anger.

### Do Not Let Fear Infect the Mind/Heart

Is a fearful person weak? Fear is the enemy of the soul. The teacher teaches that cowardice is a sin of the soul that saints never permit. However, cowardice differs from patience. Some smile when insulted because they fear punishment. Others smile to avoid conflict, but behind that smile lies immense energy. That is true strength. A martial artist who can fight but chooses not to demonstrates compassion. A weak person who does not fight because they dare not is simply cowardly.

### Cultivating Dignity Through Practice

The teacher recounts the Buddha’s teaching on making offerings to dignify the mind/heart. He realized that learning martial arts also dignifies the mind/heart. With sufficient capability, the mind/heart fears nothing. The teacher states that he only fears acting against the Buddha’s teachings; otherwise, he fears nothing in this world. This is the spirit of Phat Quang martial arts, which trains courage to defend the community rather than to fight. Everyone, young or old, should equip themselves with some physical strength so their mind/heart does not cower, relying on blessings from merit to protect body and soul.

In this violent world, let each of us be a lotus flower amidst mud. Train your body and cultivate ethics so that when facing evil, you do not bow down or feel fear. Above all, never let strength become a weapon of hatred. Let it become the power of compassion and the courage to defend truth. This is the true hero of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma).