The Teacher's Words: Greed Can Never Be Filled

That afternoon, I sat on the temple steps, watching the last rays of sunlight filter through the bodhi tree, scattering across the brick courtyard. The scent of agarwood incense drifted gently, mingling with the fragrance of damp grass after a light rain. I had just turned seventeen, an age full of restlessness and doubt about life. For a long time, I had asked myself: why are human beings born only to die, and die only to be born again, spinning endlessly in the harsh cycle of samsara (cycle of rebirth)? Living and dying, dying and living—it all seemed meaningless. Life felt so vast and meaningless that it terrified me.

But then I told myself: death is not a way out, because the force of karma still drives us to be reborn. So I must live in a way that has meaning. And I thought, a meaningful life must be a happy life. But happiness for whom? If I sought happiness only for myself, I feared I would fall into selfishness and greed. So instead, I vowed to devote my life to finding happiness for everyone. With that thought, my heart felt much lighter.

Yet what is happiness, that one could go searching for it? At that time, I did not yet understand the Dharma deeply, and I believed that human happiness came first from material things: eating one's fill, dressing warmly, owning a grand house filled with every convenience. I pondered this tirelessly for years. Then one day, I had the chance to confide in my teacher. He sat quietly, his kind eyes resting on me, and slowly said:

"You can never fill up a person's greed. Never."

Those words struck me like a bolt of lightning in a clear sky, and I suddenly awoke. I was freed from the thought that had pursued me for so many years. It was true—human greed is bottomless. Even if you gave someone the whole earth, they would still ask for the moon. I suddenly remembered my neighbors. Before they had a house, they said, "If only we could build a house, I could die content." And they built their house. But not long after, they glanced at their neighbor's new car and began to crave one. On and on it went, one desire after another, never stopping. Greed kept pushing them forward, never satisfied.

So how could one escape that endless cycle? I looked at myself. I, too, had greed—it simply had not yet revealed itself clearly. I wanted to find happiness for everyone, but as long as I believed happiness was material, I would only create more suffering (dukkha) for myself and for others. I needed to understand more deeply the nature of greed, and how to transcend it.

Once, I read a parable in the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) about the origin of greed. Long ago, when the earth was newly formed, the ground was fragrant like sweet cakes, and the streams flowed like fresh milk. A group of celestial beings descended from the heavens, and drawn by the enticing aroma, they bent down to taste it. The moment they touched the material world, they lost all their powers and could no longer fly back to heaven. They were stranded on earth. At first, they still lived happily, for the land was fertile and food was abundant. Only when a few people, out of laziness and fear that others would take their share, began hoarding food in their homes did greed arise. Seeing this, others imitated them. And so their blessings from merit gradually diminished. The earth was no longer fragrant but became dry and barren. They had to farm, thresh the rice, pound the grain, and cook their meals. Yet their greed did not stop. They fought over land, quarreled, and had to choose someone to serve as arbiter. That person was called the Great King, and from then on, there were kings.

That parable startled me. It turned out that greed arises not only from material desire, but also from laziness and fear. We are lazy, we want things handed to us, we fear losing our share—and so hoarding and contention are born. And the more greedy we become, the more our blessings from merit dwindle, and the harder life becomes.

I once met an elderly physician who told me he was researching a project with the firm determination to win the Nobel Prize. Looking at him, I felt a little sorry for him. His project was small, nothing remarkable, but his dream was far too grand. That, too, was a form of greed—for fame and recognition. There was also a young woman who always skillfully won people's affection through her words, her gestures, her clothing. I advised her:

"Never concern yourself with winning other people's affection. Concern yourself only with whether you love others sincerely. In this life, do not seek ways to make others love you; seek instead ways to love others."

She listened, was silent for a moment, and then nodded. And truly, when we love others sincerely, they will naturally love us in return. That is the natural way of things—like those famous singers who, through conditions (dependent origination) from past lives spent doing good deeds and loving all beings, are now beloved by the public.

From this, I came to understand that to end greed, we must first transform the self-centered mind/heart. One who has attained the noble fruit of Stream-Entry lives with great selflessness. Such a person may still enjoy wealth, but that enjoyment is no longer for personal pleasure—it is for doing good and helping others. If one day I came into a large sum of money, I would not buy a house or a car for myself, but would seek out the poor to help. That is true happiness.

Many years have passed, and I still remember my teacher's words from long ago. They have been like a lamp illuminating my path. I no longer chase after material illusions, no longer crave fame or power. I have learned to live peacefully, to be content, and to find joy in giving. My life has become lighter and more serene. I have realized that true happiness lies not in having much, but in our ability to practice letting go of our selfish desires.

The Meaning of the Story

Human greed is bottomless and can never be filled. It arises from ignorance, laziness, fear, and a self-centered mind/heart. To escape suffering (dukkha), we must recognize and transform our greed by living selflessly, being content, and turning our hearts toward helping others. When we do so, blessings from merit will naturally grow, and life will become peaceful and happy.

Compiled from a dharma talk by the Venerable Thích Chân Quang