Hello, everyone!
Welcome to this episode of the podcast provided by the Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated of Australia.
Today, I want to share a crucial concept that is deeply connected to our own well-being, our destiny, and our ability to achieve true success. This core principle is both simple and profound: When you help others succeed, you will truly gain, and you will achieve well-being yourself.
We often say, “I want to do well,” but when others also “eat well,” we may feel a twinge of anxiety. We might think, “Oh no, they’ve all eaten; what about us?”
This kind of worry is our biggest obstacle on the path to self-improvement. In reality, the more you sincerely wish for others to do well, the better off you will be. Consider classic examples, such as the tree spirit in the story On Causality, who was able to “have whatever he wished for” precisely because he genuinely wished for others to have what they needed.
However, many of us have not yet truly established this understanding of cause and effect. We don’t realize that whatever you give to others is what you will receive in return. Whether it’s good or bad, what you give away comes back to you. If you praise others, you receive praise; if you curse others, you receive curses. The same applies to money and possessions. Therefore, to truly do well yourself, you must first want others to do well.
So, why do we often fail to act on this principle, even when we know it? This is because we are influenced by delusions, feelings, and impulses. These delusions do not want what’s best for you. They make you impatient, selfish, and afraid of others succeeding. They ruin your reputation, damage your relationships, and cause others to look down on you and eventually distance themselves.
Friends, we must be clear about one thing: You are the master. These delusions, feelings, and impulses are merely subjects, trying to lead you astray and into ruin. When a delusion arises, you must wisely tell it: “You are my delusion. If I do well, you will do well. Following you down this path will certainly not lead to good things.” You must discipline and punish it. When it gets angry or upset, you should be even happier. Why? Because it’s “dying”! The more unhappy it is, the more joyful you should be. This shows that you are different from it and that you are taming it. If you don’t tame it, it will forever torment you and bring you misfortune.
Therefore, we must train ourselves to “correct” these delusions.
When it says, “I love to eat this the most,” take that item and give it to someone else. The angrier it gets, the more you should give.
When it’s afraid others will get something good, bring the good thing to them.
When it wants you to be greedy, practice generosity and punish that greedy thought.
You must make it clear that its tricks no longer work on you.
You might ask, “Won’t people get angry or think I’m strange if I do this?”
In this initial phase of self-training, you can temporarily ignore what others think. Because if you yourself are a “demon,” no amount of kindness toward others will help. You can even tell people that you’re training yourself and ask for their help in “angering that demon.” Once your inner demon realizes it can’t sway you, it will stop and look for a new approach. This requires you to firmly uphold the principles of compassion, joy, and giving, and to consistently put others’ interests first. Just three firm acts of resistance can completely scare it away!
If you can’t even transform your own “beings” (inner afflictions and delusions), what ability do you have to transform others?
If you say greed is bad but you are greedy, or that jealousy is bad but you are jealous, it proves you don’t even believe what you’re saying. So how can you expect others to learn from you?
Friends, please remember this principle: Do not let delusions, feelings, and impulses drag you into a pit of misery. You are your own master, and your wisdom is stronger than any delusion. Train yourself to transform the fear of others doing well into the genuine desire for others to do well. When you achieve this, you will find that everything in your life will get better and better.
May we all, from this moment on, sincerely wish for others to do well, for this is the best path to our own success! Thank you.
