The Secret of Inner Peace

On that night, the full moon hung suspended in the still sky, casting shimmering silver streaks upon the calm surface of the lake. In the North Bridge area within the temple grounds, a gentle night breeze carried a chill down one’s spine. A young monk stood leaning against the wooden railing, his eyes fixed on the distant statue of Avalokiteshvara, his heart heavy with turmoil.

Suddenly, a cold draft swept across the back of his neck, causing him to shudder. When he turned around, for a brief moment, he saw a headless figure glide swiftly past and vanish into the darkness. His heart clenched, and his limbs trembled violently. Afraid to look again, he rushed straight into the monks’ quarters, slammed the door shut, and huddled in the corner of the room, consumed by extreme fear. That night, he could not sleep, haunted by that strange image and asking himself: "Why did I encounter this?"

But the fear of ghosts was only the surface. Deep inside, the monk faced a far more serious spiritual crisis. For a long time during his practice, he believed that "the mind is the master," while "the body is merely illusory." He ate carelessly, neglected personal hygiene, and sometimes bathed only once a week, thinking this was non-attachment to physical form. He threw himself into reading sutras and endless contemplation seeking enlightenment, but the harder he tried, the more tense his mind became. He suffered from chronic insomnia, and his progress in practice regressed day by day.

The next morning, his teacher noticed his gaunt face and dark circles under his eyes and called him over.

"My child, are you well? I see you lately like a candle flame before the wind," the teacher said.

The young monk replied with a weary voice, "Venerable sir, I am fine. I am simply trying to break my attachment to this physical body. The Buddha taught that the body is impermanence (anicca), and I wish to prove this by ignoring it."

The teacher shook his head, his eyes filled with both compassion and sternness.

"You have misunderstood. Impermanence (anicca) does not mean we are allowed to destroy the body. The body is a tool, a vehicle for us to reach our destination. If you damage the tool, what will you use to practice? Remember the Buddha’s teaching in the Satipatthana Sutta: 'Breathing in, I know the whole body; breathing out, I know the whole body.' The Buddha never said to neglect the body."

His teacher’s words were like a splash of cold water on his confused mind. He began to reflect on those sleepless nights, the severe headaches during meditative concentration, and the weakness of his body that prevented him from sitting long or walking far. He realized that neglecting the body had led to the deterioration of his brain, causing his mind to become chaotic and lacking clarity.

From that day on, the monk completely changed his lifestyle. He began to pay attention to every meal, ensuring proper nutrition. He woke up early to exercise, breathe deeply, and feel every movement of his body. Whenever he sat in meditation, he no longer forced his mind to be empty but focused on the sensation of the whole body, allowing energy to flow evenly. At first, this was difficult because old habits ran deep, but gradually, he felt his body become lighter and his mind more alert.

A month passed, and the change was evident on his face. His skin glowed with health, his eyes were bright and clear, and most importantly, his sleep returned to normal. He was no longer dominated by hallucinations or baseless fears. When he shared this story with his fellow practitioners, everyone was amazed by the youthfulness and inner peace radiating from him.

"Teacher, what is the secret?" a small disciple asked curiously.

The monk smiled, pointing to his chest and then to the ground.

"The secret lies in balance. The head must be empty and pure like the sky; but the body must be solid and full of energy like the earth. This is the hexagram Tai – Earth over Heaven – symbolizing harmony and goodness. Do not waste this body, for it is the root of life and wisdom."

The Meaning of the Story

This story emphasizes an important moral lesson: Physical and mental health are two inseparable aspects. Disregarding the body under the guise of impermanence (anicca) is a wrong extreme. The human body is a precious tool for practice and service. Only when we know how to properly care for and maintain our physical health do we have enough energy and clarity to develop wisdom, achieve inner peace, and make our best contributions to the community.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang