The Hole and Two Ways Out

This story compares the reactions of three Vietnamese men and three Japanese men who fall into a hole, highlighting the philosophy that "to succeed, you must first help others succeed."

Imagine a hypothetical situation, yet one full of symbolism: three men slip and fall into a deep, bottomless hole. The walls are slippery, with no rope and no ladder. Light from the mouth of the hole shines down faintly—enough for them to see one another, but not enough for them to climb out easily. This is a metaphor for life, with the difficulties and challenges each of us must face.

In the first scenario, the three men represent an old, selfish way of thinking. The first man tries to cling to the earthen wall and find a way to climb up. The moment his head emerges above the mouth of the hole, the other two at the bottom grab his legs and pull him down. "No! Don't go up! If you get out, who will save us? Or worse, you'll abandon us," one shouts, full of fear and envy. The second man also rushes to stop the first, worried that if one person escapes, he will forget those still trapped. As a result, the three keep struggling, holding each other back. Their energy is consumed by suspicion and rivalry. In the end, utterly exhausted, all three sink together into the darkness of the hole, and no one escapes.

In the second scenario, the three men represent a new way of thinking, based on trust and cooperation. The first man proposes: "Let me climb up first. I promise I will find a rope and lower it to save you." The other two look at each other, then nod. They do not pull his legs down; instead, they bend low, press their shoulders together, and form a living ladder. "Stand on our shoulders," they say. The first man climbs up, gripping the edge with all his strength and pulling himself out. Immediately, he runs off to find materials, ties a sturdy rope, and lowers it down to his two remaining friends. All three escape safely.

The core difference between these two scenarios lies not in physical strength or intelligence, but in mindset. The first scenario fails because of fear and a lack of trust. They believe that another person's success is a threat to their own. They choose to "hold back" others to secure an illusory sense of safety for themselves, but this ultimately leads to mutual destruction.

The second scenario succeeds because they understand the law of cause and effect (karmic law) and ethics. They know that to be saved themselves, they must first make it possible for others to be saved. Helping others succeed—escaping the hole—is the most effective means of succeeding oneself. Once one person gets out, he has both the ability and the responsibility to support those who remain. Unity transforms individuals into a strong collective.

In modern life, many young people start businesses with a fiercely competitive mindset, willing to use schemes to bring down rivals, fearing whenever a friend becomes more successful than themselves. Unknowingly, they fall into the "hole" of loneliness and resentment. In contrast, those who embrace the philosophy of "helping others succeed first" are building ladders of good conditions (dependent origination). Each time they support a friend or a partner, they are weaving a web of gratitude and goodwill. When they face hardship, it is precisely the people they once helped who will become their support and pull them up.

The Meaning of the Story:

The precious lesson from the image of the hole is this: to succeed, do not walk alone, and do not hold others back. Turn your thinking from "competition" to "service." When you actively observe and help those around you start businesses and make a living, you are planting the wholesome seed of unity. The law of cause and effect (karmic law) ensures that when you are in need, the universe will send people back to help you. Lasting success is not built on luck or on the downfall of others, but on a foundation of love, trust, and the spirit of growing together.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang