The Man Who Did Not Retaliate

One afternoon, in a small temple nestled quietly in the countryside, a man in his early forties came to visit an elderly monk. The late-day sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting long streaks of light across the temple courtyard. The man sat on a wooden chair before the teacher, his hands clasped together, eyes fixed on the old tiled floor.

He had once been a hot-tempered person who insulted, humiliated, and even plotted harm against others. These actions caused great suffering for those around him. But then he encountered the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) and began practicing meditative concentration. He sat in meditation daily, chanted sutras, and recited the Buddha’s name. He believed that through this practice, his past karma might dissolve. Yet, a deep anxiety remained in his heart: would the people he had harmed one day come seeking revenge?

Looking up with a trembling voice, he asked, “Venerable sir, I previously created bad causes. I made others suffer; I insulted them, humiliated them, and plotted against them. Now that I practice meditative concentration, will that karma be erased?”

The elderly monk looked at him with gentle yet sharp eyes. He replied slowly, “In the past, you insulted, humiliated, and plotted against others, causing them pain. Therefore, they must eventually find you to return that insult, humiliation, and harm. This is unavoidable because it is cause and effect (karmic law).”

Hearing this, the man’s face turned pale. He imagined the scene where those people would arrive to scold, beat, or even destroy him. But the monk was not finished. He continued, “However, there is one crucial difference: now you know how to cultivate your mind. In the past, when you caused harm, others suffered. Now, when they harm you, you do not suffer. That is your profit—the gain lies in your freedom from suffering, even though you must still meet them.”

The man was stunned. He asked again, “So, Venerable sir, does this mean I still have to encounter them? Will I still be retaliated against?”

“Exactly,” the monk nodded. “They will come, and they will retaliate. That is cause and effect (karmic law); there is no other way. They will seek revenge. But whereas you once caused them suffering, now their actions do not cause you suffering. The true profit lies precisely in that fact.”

The man fell silent for a long time. He looked out into the courtyard, where yellow leaves drifted down gently. He realized that the greatest gain was not avoiding karmic retribution, but maintaining peace of mind amidst all changes. When people came to retaliate, if he did not suffer, did not become angry, and did not wish to strike back—that was the true victory.

He stood up, pressed his palms together in respect to the teacher, and walked out through the temple gate. From that day on, he lived differently. Whenever he faced adversity, he remembered the teacher’s words: “If they cannot make you suffer, that is your profit.” He practiced letting go, practiced forgiveness, and kept his heart light. Gradually, the old grievances faded, because his own compassion and inner peace dissolved everything.

The Meaning of the Story

This story teaches that cause and effect (karmic law) cannot be avoided—those who sow bad seeds will reap bad fruits. However, if we can maintain a peaceful and free mind, refusing to suffer amidst adversity, that is our greatest gain. Practitioners do not cultivate to escape cause and effect (karmic law), but so that they are not tormented by it.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang