The Dharma Talk Without Words of the Senior Monk

That afternoon, the atmosphere at the practice center in Hanoi suddenly grew heavy and still. It was so quiet that one could hear the wind rustling through the gaps between the leaves. Before hundreds of eyes fixed upon the teaching platform, the senior monk stood up. His voice was deep and warm, yet filled with emotion as he recounted an old memory. This was a story about a fateful encounter, where humility became the most compelling dharma talk.

Recalling the past, the senior monk took everyone back to the difficult years of Venerable Thich Chan Quang. At that time, the teacher was living in secluded retreat in a tiny hut, only two meters wide. It sat nestled within a desolate cemetery in Long Hai. Surrounding him were cold graves and overgrown weeds, and life lacked many necessities. Meanwhile, the senior monk was working for the Buddhist Representative Board of Tan Binh District. He was leading monks and nuns to the seaside for relaxation after long days of intense study.

When news arrived that a distinguished group of guests was visiting the area, Teacher Chan Quang hurriedly left his small hut. He crossed several kilometers of dusty dirt roads to greet the revered elders. The two men had never met before. When the teacher entered, instead of offering water or engaging in polite conversation, the senior monk looked directly into his eyes. Then, he posed an unexpected question regarding spiritual principles.

"When Zen Master Ngọa Luân composed a verse praising himself by saying 'the mind remains unmoved when facing conditions,' while Sixth Patriarch Huệ Năng responded with a verse criticizing himself by saying 'the mind is disturbed when facing conditions.' What is the true meaning of this exchange of verses?"

The question acted like a test, demanding either profound insight or quick wit from the respondent. All eyes turned toward Teacher Chan Quang, a young ascetic with a rugged appearance who lived among graves. The air grew tense, waiting for a high philosophical answer or a scholarly interpretation.

Teacher Chan Quang bowed his head. His voice was calm but sincere.

"Yes, dear senior brother. That verse holds no special insight, nor does it express any lofty doctrine. It simply expresses humility. Master Ngọa Luân praised himself, while Master Huệ Năng criticized himself. The principle lies only in daring to admit one's own shortcomings so that others may be respected."

Silence enveloped the room for a moment. The answer was brief and rustic, yet it touched the core of practice: breaking down the ego. The senior monk looked at the teacher, his eyes brightening with a strange trust. He needed no further complex explanations. This genuine humility convinced him completely.

From that moment on, the senior monk invited Teacher Chan Quang to teach at Giác Lâm Junior College. Later, he continued to invite him to Từ Tân Pagoda. Over the decades, despite encountering countless oppositions, slanders, and even malicious words aimed at severing their relationship, the senior monk remained steadfast. He protected the teacher and created favorable conditions for him. He accepted hardship and held firm to his stance because he believed that the teacher’s talent and virtue would bring great benefit to the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) and all sentient beings.

This action did not stem from personal affection or karmic ties from past lives. It arose from a broad, altruistic vision. The senior monk sacrificed his own comfort and reputation to nurture a good seed for the future. Indeed, his humble presence today—always praising others and admitting his own limitations during this dharma talk—became the most powerful "dharma talk without words." It moved the hearts of everyone present.

The Meaning of the Story

The moral lesson that Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang wishes to convey through this story is this: Human value does not lie in erudite knowledge or social status. It lies in altruism and the virtue of humility. The difference between an ordinary person and a sage is the extent to which the heart expands in compassion. When we learn to forget ourselves to think of others, and lower our ego to support them, that is the highest expression of morality. Altruism is not merely external acts of help. It is an inner positive energy that helps transform karma and creates lasting values for the community.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang