The Roots of Goodness from Past Lives

In the late afternoon at the ancient monastery, golden sunlight stretched across moss-covered roof tiles. The temple bell rang out, harmonizing with the mountain breeze. Inside the main hall, hundreds of lay Buddhists sat with dignity, their eyes fixed on the high seat where the senior monk spoke with serene grace. The atmosphere was warm, like a family reunion, because everyone felt that this meeting was not happening for the first time in their lives.

The senior monk smiled, his voice deep and comforting. He began to speak about the topic of spiritual roots. He asked why they were sitting there today, explaining that it was no accident. It was because in previous lives, they had planted seeds of goodness. Now, those seeds still reside within their mind/heart, influencing their appearance, speech, and actions today.

Mr. Tu sat in the front row, hands clasped together, his heart stirred with emotion. He remembered how, as a child, his mother often took him to the temple to bow before the Buddha. She would say, "My dear, one must know how to love people and animals. If you live kindly, good things will come your way." At that time, he did not fully understand, but he always felt warmth in his heart when hearing her words. Now, listening to the dharma talk, he realized that this was the spiritual root his mother had planted in him since childhood.

The senior monk continued to explain the signs of a person with spiritual roots. First is gentleness and moral integrity. Such individuals are rarely angry and often yield to others. When spoken to harshly, they may feel a slight sadness but do not erupt in anger or conflict. They understand that if they retaliate, the world gains two more unkind people. Mr. Tu recalled a time when a neighbor disputed land boundaries with him. The neighbor shouted insults, while Mr. Tu stood silent, gripping his shirt hem tightly. His inner turmoil was great, yet he uttered no word. Back then, he thought himself weak, but now he understood it was a remnant of spiritual root.

The second sign is freedom from greed and a willingness to share. The senior monk offered a very ordinary example. Suppose you have saved nine hundred thousand dong and plan to earn more to reach one million before locking it away. But upon leaving your gate, you meet someone in poverty. Would you dare to take out two hundred thousand to help them? A person with spiritual roots would do so, driven by compassion that cannot be restrained.

Mr. Tu smiled, remembering times he contributed rice and money to help neighbors affected by floods. Sometimes his own home was not wealthy, yet he felt joy in sharing. Then the senior monk spoke of humility. Those with spiritual roots do not compete for superiority or need to prove themselves better than others. They readily give up speaking turns or seats so others may be happy. Conversely, arrogant people always seek to win arguments to show off their cleverness. Mr. Tu suddenly remembered gatherings where he debated politics and ethics with friends, arguing until he won. He silently admitted, "I am still quite arrogant; I am not truly a person with strong spiritual roots."

What moved Mr. Tu most was when the senior monk mentioned kindness toward all beings. People with spiritual roots love dogs, cats, birds, and even plants. Seeing a flock of birds descend into the garden to find worms brings them joy and affection, not thoughts of trapping them for food. Mr. Tu recalled sitting in the fields as a child, watching lush green grass and feeling an unusual peace. He could not bear to pluck a leaf or chase away a worm. Now he understood these were manifestations of spiritual roots from many lifetimes.

Finally, the senior monk emphasized faith in cause and effect (karmic law). Those with spiritual roots immediately believe in sayings like "live kindly, receive blessings" or "sow wind, reap storm," without needing proof. They trust that the law of cause and effect (karmic law) is fair: whoever sows good reaps good, and whoever sows bad suffers bad results. This faith makes them live carefully, avoiding evil deeds and seeking opportunities to help others. In contrast, those without spiritual roots often think "might makes right," focusing only on struggle and calculation, ending their lives in suffering due to a lack of blessings from merit.

Mr. Tu sat there, his mind settling. He recognized he possessed some spiritual roots from past lives but still had much to cultivate. He silently promised to practice patience, reduce greed and arrogance, and maintain love for all beings. He understood that spiritual roots are not static gifts but like seeds; if cared for, they grow into great trees providing shade for many.

The Meaning of the Story

Spiritual roots are the goodness planted in previous lives, yet they are not fixed and can be nurtured in this life. People with spiritual roots are typically gentle, free from greed, humble, compassionate toward humans and animals, and deeply faithful to cause and effect (karmic law). Because of this faith, they live virtuously, help others, and surely harvest peaceful karmic results in the present and future.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang