Loving Eyes Worth More Than a Thousand Words of Love

The weekend afternoon at the gate of Van Phuc Temple was utterly peaceful, the sunlight soft and golden. Standing about five meters from the temple gate, just beyond the low iron fence, a young man of about twenty-five was hesitating. He carried a backpack on his shoulders and was neatly dressed, though his face looked somewhat bewildered. He lifted his eyes to the large sign reading "Van Phuc Temple," its golden letters standing out against a dark brown background, then glanced inside, where the temple grounds spread wide with buildings still half-finished under construction.

He was not a local. Traveling from Saigon to Vung Tau for a visit, he happened to pass along this road and saw the temple sign. Curiosity mixed with a little apprehension made him stop. He was not a Buddhist, but the stories about the law of cause and effect (karmic law) that his mother used to tell whenever the family faced hardship now drifted through his mind.

At that very moment, another young man, about his own age, came out from near the temple gate. He was not a monk in a brown robe, but a young lay Buddhist who helped welcome visitors from near and far. Seeing the stranger standing there uncertainly, the young Buddhist broke into a bright smile, his eyes full of kindness and gentleness.

"Hello there, are you looking for something?" His voice was gentle and warm, as if they had known each other for a long time.

The stranger was slightly surprised, but that smile and those eyes made him feel a strange closeness, dispelling all his initial hesitation.

"I... I was just passing by and saw the temple, so I got curious," he replied, somewhat shyly.

"Then come in and have a look around. The temple has just been rebuilt, and it is beautiful now. There is a dharma talk today; if you would like to listen, you are most welcome. Or if you are tired, come in for some water and a rest." The young Buddhist smiled again, even more warmly this time. He stepped a little closer, without touching the visitor, but with a friendly posture, ready to help.

He raised his hand and pointed inside: "There, do you see that newly built dharma hall? We are waiting for the teacher to return and give the talk. On the right is the row of rooms for the Sangha. Behind it, there is a garden."

Just one small act of welcome, one sincere gaze, yet it carried a wondrous power. The stranger felt his heart truly settle, sensing a peace, a quality entirely different from the hurried life outside. He smiled, nodded, and stepped through the temple gate. He did not realize that, simply because of one loving, welcoming gaze, his life would change from that day on.

After that chance visit, the young man often returned to Van Phuc Temple. He gradually grew familiar with the peaceful atmosphere and with the gentle yet profound teachings of the abbot. Through the dharma talks, he began to understand more deeply the law of cause and effect (karmic law) — how every word, every gaze, every action plants a seed for the future. He realized that the smile and welcoming gaze of that young Buddhist long ago had planted in him a wholesome seed, guiding him onto the path of practice.

From then on, he changed. He began to live more slowly, learning to watch his own words and actions. He became kinder to those around him, from his family to his colleagues. He understood that every small gesture, even a look or a smile, carries weight in the stream of cause and effect (karmic law).

One afternoon a few years ago, while he was helping at the temple, assisting newcomers, he suddenly realized something: he was repeating the very act of that young Buddhist from years before, welcoming strangers with kind eyes and a gentle smile. He understood that true courtesy does not need to be formally trained; it naturally arises from the depths of the heart when a person deeply understands the law of cause and effect (karmic law). Every loving gaze, every warm word of welcome, not only brings joy to others but also plants seeds of blessings from merit for oneself.

His life from then on became lighter and more at ease. He no longer lived in haste and worry as before. He knew that with each passing day, each time he smiled, each time he listened to someone with sincerity, he was building his character and creating a peaceful and joyful future.

The meaning of the story: This story shows the invisible yet powerful strength of the eyes, the smile, and sincere words. When a person deeply understands cause and effect (karmic law) — that every action, however small, plants a seed and will bear its fruit — they naturally become considerate, courteous, and full of love in every gesture. This kind of courtesy is not a trained habit; it is the natural expression of a compassionate heart, one that fears wrongdoing and longs to do good. A gentle gaze, a welcoming smile can be a wholesome seed that leads another person onto the path of peace, and at the same time it is the best way for each of us to cultivate ourselves, living each moment fully and in accordance with what is right.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Senior Venerable Thich Chan Quang.