The Great Heart and True Happiness

Late in the afternoon, within a small temple nestled in the city, the sound of bells mingled with the wind rustling through the leaves of old trees. A group of practitioners sat silently beneath the branches, their eyes fixed on the teacher meditating on a stone platform. The atmosphere was so still that one could hear every falling leaf. Yet inside each person’s mind/heart, there was a private struggle, a tension between what they desired and what they knew to be right.

The teacher opened his eyes, looked around, and spoke slowly. He said that in this life, we are constantly torn between two forces: emotion and reason. Emotion urges us to do one thing, while reason tells us to do another. Often, we suffer because we do not know which side to choose.

A young practitioner named Minh spoke up. He confessed that he always felt defeated. Whenever he tried to act according to reason, emotion ultimately won out. He loved his friends, his family, and even those who did wrong if they were kind to him. He knew it was incorrect, but he could not resist the pull of feeling.

The teacher smiled gently, his eyes full of kindness. He acknowledged that most people are like this. In ten decisions, seven or eight are dominated by emotion. But he asked if Minh knew where these emotions come from. Minh shook his head, and the others listened intently.

The teacher explained that there are five causes for the arising of emotion. First is karma from past conditions (dependent origination). Second is reason. Third is selfishness. Fourth is art. And fifth is moral principle. Among these, the most dangerous is emotion born from selfishness.

Another practitioner, Sister Hanh, asked what selfishness meant. She wondered if it simply meant loving oneself more than others. The teacher confirmed this. He shared a story from the sutras about King Pasenadi and Queen Mallika. One day, while enjoying a feast, the king asked who she loved most in the world. The queen replied that she loved him most. When the king asked who he loved most, she said him as well. But then she added that if permitted, she would speak the truth. She revealed that she actually loved herself most. She loved the king only because he brought her happiness. If he did not bring happiness, she would not love him. Thus, humans truly only love themselves.

Everyone fell silent, reflecting deeply. Minh nodded, realizing he was the same. He loved his friends because they were good to him; if they hurt him, he would hate them. The teacher called this the trap of selfishness. It makes us love and hate based on personal benefit. However, there is a higher form of emotion: compassion. Compassion does not discriminate and is not selfish. It loves all beings, even enemies. To cultivate compassion, we must practice through moral principles, understanding that all things are equal and all share suffering (dukkha).

Sister Hanh’s eyes filled with tears. She expressed her desire for compassion but found it difficult. Whenever someone hurt her, she only wanted to hate them. The teacher comforted her, saying that practice is a long process. First, she should try to see everyone with an eye of equality. When seeing someone do bad deeds, she should realize they are also suffering, obscured by ignorance. Gradually, love will arise.

Minh asked how to distinguish between good and bad emotions. The teacher explained that good emotions stem from clear reason and moral principle, free from selfishness. For example, admiring a firefighter who rushes into flames to save children is a good emotion. Conversely, liking a scammer because they give you money is a bad emotion driven by self-interest. We must remain mindful and alert, never letting selfishness lead us.

As the afternoon faded, the sunset dyed the temple grounds in gold. The practitioners left with lighter hearts. Minh resolved to practice diligently, hoping that one day his heart could hold great love—selfless and without discrimination.

The Meaning of the Story

This narrative highlights the difference between selfish emotion, which arises from personal gain, and compassion, which arises from moral principle and wisdom. A disciple of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) must clearly recognize emotions dominated by selfishness to avoid creating negative karma. Simultaneously, one must practice to develop compassion—the highest form of emotion—which helps beings transcend suffering (dukkha) and attain true happiness.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang