Knowing What Is Right, Knowing What Is Wrong

A devoted Buddhist felt a personal attachment to a young monk at his local temple. When that monk was disciplined by the abbot, anger arose in the devotee’s heart. He began speaking ill of the abbot and obstructed offerings to the temple. It was only when he recognized his own hatred that he took the first true step on the path of practice.

That afternoon, pale golden sunlight spilled across the courtyard of Tran Buu Temple. The rural scene was peacefully strange. The temple bell rang softly, blending with the wind rustling through the bamboo grove. Brother Hung, a familiar lay follower, entered the grounds. His heart felt light after a hard day of work. He always found peace in this small temple, where everything seemed to slow down, becoming more serene than the chaotic life outside.

He had a special relationship with Master Minh, a young teacher who was gentle and always willing to listen. Whenever Hung visited, while other monks were busy, Master Minh would often be the one to talk with him, sharing simple things. Naturally, a bond formed, along with a touch of private affection in Hung’s heart. He found Master Minh lovely and understanding. Every time he came to the temple, he sought out the master’s presence.

One day, bad news arrived. Hung heard that the abbot had punished Master Minh, requiring him to do heavy labor in the kitchen. Suddenly, his heart burned with heat. Anger and discomfort surged up, impossible to contain. "How could the abbot treat Master Minh like this? What crime did Master Minh commit?" he thought, his mind full of frustration.

This anger began to grow, seeping into every thought. In the afternoon, sitting at a tea stall with some friends, one person asked about the situation at Tran Buu Temple.

"How is Tran Buu Temple these days? Is Abbot Tinh Tam well?"

Brother Hung sighed, his face full of dissatisfaction.

"Abbot Tinh Tam looks fine, but... he is not very wise. There are problems with how he manages the temple."

The words left his mouth as if unloading a burden. But in reality, they planted seeds of doubt and wrong judgment in the listeners’ hearts regarding the respected abbot. Hung did not realize that he had let blind anger lead the way.

The situation became more serious when the summer retreat season approached. Hung planned to organize a charity trip, bringing three or four large sacks of rice to make offerings to Tran Buu Temple. But when he remembered Master Minh being punished, his heart boiled again.

"No! Why should I bring rice to offer to a temple where the abbot acts so unjustly?"

He called several other Buddhists and whispered to them.

"The abbot there is not good. Do not make offerings to that temple anymore. Let me transfer the rice to another temple, one that is more worthy."

This action, though it seemed small, struck a heavy blow against the existence and activities of the entire temple. Hung used his anger to obstruct merit and to judge a teacher whom he did not fully understand. The three karmas were complete: body (the action of obstruction), speech (speaking ill), and mind (the angry heart). This negative karma was the footstep leading him toward lower realms and future troubles.

But did Brother Hung recognize his mistake? At this moment, the answer was no. He still believed he was defending the "right" person and fighting for justice. Anger had completely clouded his reason, making him unable to see objective truth.

This is the difference between an ordinary person and a noble sage.

If that person were a sage, the moment anger just sparked in the heart, wisdom would immediately speak up. They would ask themselves: "Is this mind correct? Why am I angry? Could it be that the abbot has a valid reason for punishing Master Minh?" And when they answered that question, recognizing their own hatred as wrong, they would stop. They would practice letting go of anger before it could take form in speech or action. That is the first step of Buddhist wisdom: knowing what is right and what is wrong, right within each fleeting moment of the mind.

According to the teachings of Venerable Thich Chan Quang, this wisdom is the foundation. It is the "main item" in the general store of Buddhism. A person who comes to the Buddha's teachings with mere faith can easily be shaken by other arguments. But a person who comes with wisdom, with a clear understanding of right and wrong, sin and blessing, stands firm like a mountain. Nothing can shake them.

Wisdom is not something distant or supernatural. It begins with honestly recognizing one’s own inner state. The lesson for Brother Hung, and for all of us, is to remain vigilant with every thought. When the "mind just moves," we must be able to "self-evaluate" whether it is right or wrong immediately. That is the first step on the path out of samsara, entering the door of the noble ones.

The Meaning of the Story

This story emphasizes that wisdom in the Buddha's teachings is not abstract knowledge. It begins with the ability to recognize right and wrong, sin and blessing, within one’s own mental states. When a person can evaluate whether a thought is right or wrong the instant it arises, and stop before creating negative karma through body, speech, and mind, that is the first step on the path of practice. This is the foundation of wisdom that Buddhism elevates. It helps practitioners stand firm in all life situations and progress on the path to liberation. Bias and private feelings can cloud reason, causing us to make mistakes without knowing it. Only mindfulness and honesty with oneself help us truly know what is right and what is wrong.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang