The SH Motorcycle and the Instinct of Craving

The afternoon sun beat down on the crowded street, where the blaring of horns mixed with thick clouds of dust. Minh stopped his old motorbike by the roadside, sweat beading on his forehead as he gripped the worn handlebars. Before his eyes, a gleaming SH motorcycle sped past, its metallic surface reflecting the dazzling sunlight, causing passersby to turn their heads in admiration.

Minh’s heart tightened. A hidden wave rose within his chest, not out of fear, but from a bitter and intense longing. He asked himself, "Why am I also working hard, yet my life remains so strained?" The image of that luxurious vehicle seemed like a bewitching invitation, awakening an ego that had been sleeping inside him. He began calculating in his mind: selling some land, borrowing from the bank, or even mortgaging assets to gain that prestige. At this moment, the feeling of "liking" was no longer a gentle vibration; it transformed into a heavy pressure on his shoulders, urging him to act at any cost.

Minh entered a nearby coffee shop and sat in his usual corner. His close friend Hung noticed his pensive demeanor and asked, "Why do you look so serious? Is something wrong?"

Minh sighed, his voice filled with unease. "I want to change my bike. Seeing others ride such elegant SH motorcycles makes me hate riding this Chinese-made scooter whenever I meet business partners. I plan to borrow money to buy one, no matter what."

Hung frowned and placed his glass on the table. "Do you really need it? Or is it just about showing off? If you borrow money and struggle to repay it, the initial joy will quickly vanish."

Minh fell silent. Hung’s words were like a splash of cold water thrown onto the fire of ambition burning brightly in his heart. He recalled previous weekend afternoons, before he was obsessed with the image of that motorcycle, when he felt peaceful cycling around West Lake, breathing in the fresh air. But now, the "hatred" of poverty and the "liking" for wealth completely dominated his thoughts. He realized that if he continued chasing these fleeting emotions, he would become a slave to his own desires rather than the master of his life.

Minh stood up and walked out of the shop. The afternoon sun had softened, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of milk flowers. He looked back at his old motorbike, then at the rushing crowd. In that moment of stillness, he decided not to buy the new vehicle. He chose to accept the present, focusing on his work and seeking joy through dedication rather than superficial materialism. From that day on, whenever feelings of "liking" or "hatred" arose, he took a few minutes to question himself: "Is this emotion right or wrong? Does it lead to blessings or harm?"

### The Meaning of the Story

This story illustrates the core lesson regarding the "Health of Emotions": Love and hatred are the driving forces of life, but if they are not controlled by wisdom, they lead to mistaken actions and create bad karma. Most people are slaves to their emotions, chasing what they like (such as buying a luxury car) or fleeing what they dislike (such as despising themselves), without judging whether those impulses are truly necessary or correct. A practitioner is someone who has the ability to turn inward, evaluating and controlling these emotions the moment they arise. Only then can suffering be transformed into true happiness, allowing one to accumulate lasting blessings from merit.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang