From Darkness into Darkness: The Vortex of Selfishness

A cold wind whistled through the gaps of the dilapidated house, carrying the smell of dampness and the harshness of winter. In a dark corner, a man sat huddled, his eyes hollow from lack of sleep and worry. Before him lay a bowl of cold rice, so meager that each grain could be counted. This is the typical image of beings trapped in the vortex of "from darkness into darkness."

The Venerable Thích Chân Quang has analyzed this condition profoundly: "Beings have a strange habit: the more they suffer, the more they act unskillfully." Let us observe more closely. When a person is destitute and pushed to the extreme, their mind focuses on a single purpose: to earn money, to hoard for themselves in order to survive. There is no room left in their heart for compassion, no energy to consider sharing or helping others.

That very poverty, instead of fostering unity, nourishes selfishness. And as selfishness grows, they become willing to commit wrongful acts, harming others to make a living. Those wrongful actions create more bad karma, leading to even greater suffering in the future. Thus, they sink deeper into darkness with no way out.

Conversely, look at another woman, also facing hardship, but who has encountered the Buddha's teachings. She, too, had a hot temper and carried negative habitual tendencies from past lives—visible in her scowling, fierce face. But instead of letting her anger explode, she chose to face it. Whenever she felt the urge to rage, she recalled the teachings on cause and effect (karmic law) and patience. She told herself: "If I get angry, I will create more bad karma, and my future lives will be even more suffering."

She began to change her habits. Instead of spending time lamenting her fate or arguing with neighbors, she devoted that time to chanting sutras, to sitting in meditation, and to visiting the elderly living alone in her neighborhood. When she saw a dilapidated school, she organized donations for its repair. When she saw a poor family, she shared her own meager portion of rice. These actions not only helped others but also kindled a light within her own heart.

Modern science also confirms that plants, rocks, and mountains possess a subtle "spirit" that resonates with human karma. When a person transforms from darkness to light, their surrounding environment also becomes more harmonious and peaceful. Conversely, those immersed in selfishness and hatred will attract omens of misfortune and unexpected disasters. Like the folk story of a broken cup signaling sad news, or a flaring flame while cooking indicating an argument—these are not coincidences, but the resonance between the human heart and the material world.

A person who practices is like one carrying a torch through the night. They not only light their own way but also help those around them see the path. Whereas a person who does not practice, no matter how talented, if they lack wisdom and compassion, will forever wander in confusion, "from darkness into darkness."

Meaning of the Story

This is a sobering lesson about the law of cause and effect (karmic law) and the psychology of beings: Hardship can easily nourish selfishness, leading to wrongful actions and compounded suffering (from darkness into darkness). Conversely, those who know the Buddha's teachings use wisdom to dissolve negative habitual tendencies, transforming their circumstances with compassion and generosity, thereby moving from darkness toward light. The resonance between the human heart and the universe is real, reminding us to always maintain mindfulness and a kind heart.

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