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The Three Spiritual Powers: Beyond Ambition and Authority
Thầy addresses two interrelated questions: one on the nature of authority and power, and another from a college student wondering how to reconcile worldly ambition and the desire for success with a mindful, simple life. Thầy illuminates how the pursuit of external power—whether political, economic, or parental—is often rooted in an illusion of control. He observes that those with the most worldly power, such as heads of state or millionaires, often feel the most helpless, discovering that wealth and fame are never “enough” to solve their deepest problems or stop their suffering. Unlike spiritual virtues, worldly powers are finite and addictive; the more we have, the more we feel we need.
To find a path out of this cycle of insatiable seeking, Thầy introduces the Buddhist teaching of the Three Virtues (Three Powers). These spiritual powers offer a way to be truly strong and free without the danger of becoming a victim of one’s own success:
- The Power of Cutting Off (Đoạn Đức): Using the sword of wisdom to sever the “hook” of craving hidden within the “bait” of wealth, fame, and sex.
- The Power of Understanding (Trí Đức): Cultivating the insight that removes the delusions and misunderstandings that cause us to react blindly to our circumstances.
- The Power of Love (Ân Đức): The capacity to accept and forgive, which allows us to stop merely reacting to the world and begin acting with freshness and compassion.
Finally, Thầy clarifies that Buddhism does not require us to abandon success or wealth, but rather to transform our relationship with them. He explains that if we possess these three spiritual powers, we can use worldly prestige and resources as instruments for the work of a bodhisattva. He advocates for “voluntary poverty”—choosing a simple life—not to suffer, but to reclaim the “wealth” of the present moment: the blue sky, the sunshine, and time for our beloved ones. For the ambitious student, Thầy offers a transformative vision: that true power is not found in a high position, but in the freedom and love that no one can take away.
This is the adult’s part of the third talk in a series of thirteen given during the Summer Opening in the year 2008. Thầy offered this talk at the Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France.
The Wise Use of Wealth and Fame