The War Within the Mind and a New Year’s Gift

The atmosphere in the living room of the remote mountain temple was still, broken only by the wind whistling through the door cracks and the faint scent of incense. On the phone screen, a long message appeared, filled with repeated characters that betrayed extreme panic. The sender was a young Buddhist practitioner who had spent years seeking peace but now stood on the brink of despair.

"Teacher, I am destined for hell," the trembling voice came through each hastily typed word. "My mind keeps thinking wrongly; dark thoughts surge uncontrollably. I want to practice, I know how to bow to the Buddha, but why do I still suffer from intense lust? I am afraid. I cry all night. I will surely die, or perhaps I have already fallen into hell."

The teacher sat there, looking at the screen with eyes full of compassion. He remembered his own early days at this place, amidst rocks and wild grass, when he too had endured long nights battling his inner self. But what troubled him most was not the disciple’s fear, but a larger question: What is controlling our minds? Why can a good person generate such cruel thoughts?

He slowly replied, each word carrying patience and understanding: "Please be patient with your repentance. Do not rush to conclude that you have lost everything."

Yet deep within, profound reflections churned. He thought of the tragic murder case that had just occurred outside, where a worker indebted to his employer killed an entire family of five. What turned an ordinary person into a brutal killer like those in horror films? Was it because when bad thoughts arise, people mistakenly believe they are their own, and then surrender to them? There are two types of people in this battle. One type accepts bad thoughts when they appear, claiming, "This is my nature," and thus slides deeper into sin. The second type feels disgust when bad thoughts arise; they struggle and fight painfully to escape them. This very conflict proves they have begun taking refuge, showing reverence to holy beings, and blessings from merit are gradually being dedicated to help them overcome.

The teacher decided to share another aspect, an effective remedy for this spiritual illness: the power of sincere New Year wishes and the giving of dharma books. He described the familiar scene every spring: polite greetings echoing everywhere. "Wishing you beauty!" – yet secretly criticizing inside. "Wishing you health!" – while thinking internally, "You look sick as a chicken tangled in hair." These lies bring no blessings from merit; instead, they create negative karma of speech.

Conversely, when we sincerely wish well for others, that energy returns to nourish our own souls. The teacher emphasized: "Wish each other with a holy heart. When you genuinely desire beautiful minds for everyone, you yourself will gradually cultivate that same beauty."

Then, he offered a specific solution, a small action with immense karmic results: making offerings of dharma books. He explained that when we gift a book about cause and effect (karmic law) to someone, we not only broaden their vision but also plant seeds of enlightenment in our own consciousness. The result is not merely wealth or fame, but spreads across many branches. Like a mango seed sprouting into a tree, flowering, bearing fruit, and shedding leaves, each part holds unique meaning. Offering dharma books creates a special "filter" in life: money comes easily when needed, and more importantly, our hearts naturally become pure and holy.

After reading these shared insights, tears still rolled down the disciple’s cheeks, but the sense of deadlock eased somewhat. He realized those evil thoughts were not truly "his," but products of old karma trying to dominate. The only way to win was not self-blame or despair, but actively doing good deeds, especially sharing knowledge and love. From that day, he began collecting small books on moral principles, wrapping them carefully, and gifting them to peers. Each time he gave a book, he felt a gentle breeze spread through his chest, pushing away the dark clouds in his mind. He understood that this mind is not ours, but we have the right to choose how we react to it. By choosing love and sharing, he was gradually rebuilding a new soul, brighter and more stable.

The Meaning of the Story

This story clearly illustrates the principle that "Karma controls our minds." Evil thoughts often arise due to past karmic forces, not necessarily reflecting one’s current true nature. The core lesson lies in our attitude: instead of identifying with bad thoughts (leading to downfall) or falling into despair (leading to depression), we must recognize them as uninvited guests. We should use the blessings from merit gained through practice, repentance, especially offering dharma books, and generating sincere compassion through New Year wishes to transform ourselves and build a holy heart. When we wish goodness for others, we receive it ourselves.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang