The Two Paths of Practice

Late at night, in a small meditation hall, the flickering candlelight cast shadows against the walls. A young man sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the distance. He had just left city life to seek the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), his heart full of joy because he believed he had found the path to liberation. He remembered those first days when he encountered the Dharma, feeling like a lost traveler who had finally found his way home. He told himself: “I must ordain, I must practice diligently, and I must apply the Buddha’s teachings to my daily life.”

And so, he began his practice. He chose a specific object for contemplation: viewing life as a dream, as an illusion. Sitting in a corner, he watched people pass by, seeing them as faint, unreal shadows. He thought he was on the right track because his mind became strangely quiet. He said to a fellow practitioner:

“I see that this life is merely a dream. Everyone and everything is illusory; there is nothing worth worrying about.”

His friend looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then asked softly:

“So, do you still love anyone? Do you still wish to help anyone?”

He suddenly froze. He realized that since he viewed everything as illusory, his heart had become barren. He no longer felt moved by the suffering (dukkha) of others, nor did he want to do anything for the world. He thought he was achieving liberation, but in reality, he was losing the goodness within his mind/heart. He later recounted:

“Back then, I thought I was making diligent progress, but secretly, my wholesome intentions were disappearing without my knowledge. I had to pay a price for that mistake.”

Much later, thanks to meeting a wise spiritual teacher, he understood that the initial stage of practice must be creating merit and filling oneself with love, benefiting countless sentient beings. Only when compassion is overflowing, and when the world has been deeply touched by one’s kindness, can one truly engage in letting go and perceive beings as empty of inherent existence. He realized:

“If we rush to view everything as empty before we have learned to love, our compassion will die, and the door to liberation will close forever.”

From then on, he changed his approach. He dedicated time to helping others, engaging in charity, caring for the sick, and teaching poor children. He performed every small act with his whole heart, expecting no reward. Gradually, his heart softened, joy returned, and he felt he was walking the true path of the Buddha. He often reminded his fellow practitioners:

“Do not rush to speak of ‘emptiness.’ Love first. Fill your heart with affection, and peace will naturally arise.”

And so, he continued his journey of practice, no longer lost or dry, but each day permeated with love and wisdom.

The Meaning of the Story

Venerable Thich Chan Quang warns that misunderstanding emptiness—viewing sentient beings as non-existent before accumulating sufficient merit and love—will dry up compassion and close the door to enlightenment. One must fill their heart with love and create abundant merit first; only then can one practice letting go correctly.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang