Joy and Sorrow Born from a Festival

**Summary:** A story from the festival in Vesali, where fleeting joy leads to tragedy, and the lesson on distinguishing true joy from the joy of ego.

One morning in the capital city of Vesali, the festive atmosphere of a great celebration filled the streets. The sounds of drums, music, and laughter mingled together, creating a vibrant symphony. Young noblemen, dressed in fine clothes, strolled through the crowds, their eyes searching for beautiful maidens. And then, they saw her—a stunningly beautiful young woman, like a flower blooming among the streets, drawing every gaze toward her.

The young men began showing off, each trying to win the beauty's favor. But from flattery, their words soon turned to insults. "Your face is ugly as a ghost, and you dare to court women?" one sneered. "Better than being a fool like you who doesn't know his place!" the other retorted. The hostility escalated from words to actions. These noblemen, all trained in martial arts like warriors, began to clash. A chaotic fight erupted, blood spilling everywhere. Screams, curses, and the clash of weapons merged together, transforming the festival into a bloody battlefield.

That same morning, the Buddha and the monks were on their alms round, passing by the festival grounds, seeing the crowds of people, beautiful women and talented men, laughter and loud music. But when they returned, the scene before them had completely transformed. The injured lay scattered, covered in blood, their piteous groans filling the air. The Buddha glanced briefly and knew what had happened. He spoke this verse:

"Joy and attachment give rise to sorrow, joy and attachment give rise to fear. One who is free from joy and attachment neither fears nor sorrows."

But the story does not end there. One day in a primary school class, a teacher—a virtuous person who always encouraged her students to do good deeds—asked, "Tí, did you do any good deeds today?" Tí happily replied, "Yes, Teacher! This morning, Tèo, Binh, Hang, Moc... all ten of us helped an old lady cross the big street!" Surprised, the teacher asked, "Why did it take ten of you to help one old lady?" Tí giggled, "Because she struggled, she refused to cross, she screamed and cursed at us, so we had to carry her across!" The whole class burst out laughing. The teacher shook her head sadly, "My children, that old lady was suffering, and you are happy and laughing. That is misguided joy."

That kind of joy, however small, contains a hidden danger. It is the joy of seeing others suffer, a form of the ego. And that ego, if unchecked, leads to even greater tragedies. Like the riot in Vesali, where blood was spilled all for a moment of fleeting joy and a sense of rivalry.

But there is another kind of joy, a truer one. It is the joy felt when seeing others succeed. A neighbor, as poor as oneself, suddenly wins the lottery and builds a three-story house. One might feel a twinge of jealousy, but if one can overcome it and feel happy for them, that is true joy. That joy brings no fear, no sorrow. It is the joy of the noble ones, of those who know the path of cultivation.

And then, there is another story. A famous lecturer heard that a younger colleague gave wonderful, engaging talks aligned with the true Dharma. He felt no jealousy; instead, he was overjoyed. He thought, "The Buddha's teachings will spread more widely, and more beings will benefit." He did not seek to speak ill or undermine him, but praised and supported him wholeheartedly. That is true joy, joy not governed by the ego.

Life is always filled with joys and sorrows. But the crucial point is to discern which joy is genuine and which is counterfeit. The joy felt when others succeed, when people live with love for one another—that is lasting joy that never fades. The joy of rivalry, of seeing others suffer—that is merely an illusion, leading only to pain and fear.

**Meaning of the Story**

This story reminds us that joy (hỷ) and sensual attachment (ái) are the roots of all sorrow and fear. When we rejoice for the sake of the ego, for rivalry, or from seeing others' suffering, that joy leads to pain. Conversely, the joy of seeing others succeed, of seeing people live in harmony, is true joy. It liberates us from fear and sorrow. We should cultivate our minds to transform joy into a wholesome motivation, rather than a cause for suffering.

*Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.*