Don’t Waste Money
Money is a tool, but if we don’t appreciate it or use it wisely, we can easily waste it and lose it.
- Having money but not managing it well, spending recklessly, will leave us without resources when times get tough.
- Having blessings but not cherishing them, depleting good karma through wrong actions, only to regret when the blessings are gone.
Be mindful of saving and using your resources meaningfully, helping others, and creating good karma for yourself.
Don’t Lose Love
Love is the most precious thing in life, but if we don’t preserve it, it can slip away.
- Having valuable relationships but not cherishing them, will lead to regret when they are lost.
- Having people who love us, but due to carelessness, we end up hurting them.
Cherish affection, maintain connections, and cultivate gratitude for those who love us.
Don’t Hold Anger in Your Heart
Anger is a fire that burns the soul, and if we don’t let it go, it only causes suffering for ourselves.
- Anger clouds judgment, leading us to do things we’ll later regret.
- Holding onto anger for too long just keeps us trapped in suffering and unrest.
Learn to release anger, transform it into understanding and compassion.
Don’t Hold onto Grudges
Grudges are like a heavy stone that we carry with us throughout life.
- The more we remember resentment, the more we trap ourselves.
- If we don’t let go of the past, we can never find peace in the present.
Release grudges, forgive others, and in doing so, liberate yourself.
Practice is Not Only for Becoming a Buddha, But for Joy in the Present Moment
Many people think practice is for becoming a Buddha, but in reality, practice is for seeing ourselves.
- Seeing our mistakes and correcting them.
- Seeing our goodness and cultivating it.
- Seeing our transformation, bringing more joy to ourselves and those around us.
Simply keeping precepts, living kindly, and practicing in every moment is already compassion and peace.
Final Thought
Life will be lighter if we remember these four “don’ts”:
- Have wealth – Don’t waste it.
- Have love – Don’t lose it.
- Have anger – Don’t keep it in your heart.
- Have grudges – Don’t remember them.
Practice is not just for waiting to become a Buddha, but to see yourself now and live more joyfully each day.
This article is compiled based on a sermon by Venerable Thích Pháp Hoà
The Original Dharma Talk
simple ways to get joy in life
Below is his original lesson:
Tu là mong mỏi mình có được niềm vui, chứ không phải đợi ngày làm phật
