Chua Duoc Su

Everyone wants a peaceful and happy life for themselves and their family. However, many people who don't practice self-cultivation often find pleasure in the suffering of others or living beings. There are many pleasures in life that people are passionate about, but here are six of the most common types of passionate pleasures:

1- Joy in Killing

Killing living beings is one of the pleasures of worldly people. For you, or those who enjoy killing animals, the joy comes from wanting to eat delicious food to nourish your body, so you always buy fresh animals to prepare and enjoy. You are happy in doing so. If you don't have delicious and exotic dishes every day, you feel miserable because the food doesn't taste good.

Some people hunt or fish for pleasure, not to eat. You hunt to show off your skill and talent in marksmanship, hoping to be praised by many people. There are also those whose karma of killing is so heavy that they constantly seek every way to set traps, nets, spears, and hunt to satisfy their animalistic urge to kill. They do not hesitate to use any method against animals, big or small, as long as it involves killing.

Taking the lives of living beings is a habit, a bad act of those who lack compassion for people and animals. They commit evil deeds with joy and pleasure, not only the killer but also those who join in, clapping and cheering loudly. They rejoice in the death and suffering of animals without feeling pity. Killing an animal fills them with joy and excitement. From this attitude of disregarding the lives of animals, they will gradually disregard human life because of the habit of killing repeatedly. Then, when they lose control of themselves, when they become too angry to restrain themselves, they may commit murder. Especially those who enjoy watching films that incite violence, killing, and rivalry, where family members and relatives are killed by others, feel compelled to seek revenge. Over time, this becomes a habit, and when conflicts arise within the family, they cannot control their anger, leading to beatings and murder.

Adults have their own evils, and children also harbor thoughts of killing and harming living beings. Even if the animal isn't caught for food, they still intentionally kill and torture it to satisfy their desires. For example, they might catch a toad or gecko and inject water into its body with a syringe until it swells to death. They kill other animals like bees, flies, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers, and frogs without mercy.

The pleasures of killing that I've just described are pleasures derived from causing suffering to people and animals for their own amusement. These are pleasures that lack morality and compassion. The joy of killing people and animals is the joy of those who are ignorant and deluded, lacking awareness in understanding and discerning right from wrong, not the joy of those with awakened consciences. Those who cultivate mindfulness will be aware of the suffering caused by killing and will resolve to practice vegetarianism to avoid negative consequences.

As a true Buddhist, you must always be aware that you should not find joy in the suffering of sentient beings. You should prioritize your own joy over the joy of others; only when others are happy can you find joy. If you find joy in the suffering of others, never do so. The consequences of finding joy in killing are:

- Mild: physical pain and headaches, pains like those experienced by humans who smash the heads, skin, and butcher fish. Illness and premature death.

- Severe: karmic retribution, revenge, debts to repay, or even imprisonment, torture, and execution.

To atone for the negative karma you may have created before your karma was determined, you can still transform it by feeling compassion when you see an animal about to be killed, using money to ransom its life and release it.

2- Finding Joy in the Suffering of Animals

Next is the joy of those who gamble on animals, such as catching betta fish or crickets and keeping them together to fight each other. They divide into two sides, betting on who wins and who loses. Watching one animal chase another, biting and tearing each other's legs, skin, and feathers, they clap and laugh. The loser is sad, while the winner seems happy and triumphant. Or some people specialize in raising fighting roosters or bantam chickens, taking great care of them to fight for money, creating a gambling pleasure from animals. They are meticulously cared for, groomed, and given sharp spurs for fighting. When two roosters fight, the head, neck, and face of the losing one are covered in blood; When the losing rooster runs away, the winning rooster chases after it, looking very aggressive. The losing rooster, along with its owner and accomplices, angrily curses because of the money lost, while the winning rooster claps and laughs proudly.

This type of gambling, specifically cockfighting, is also strictly prohibited by state law. Anyone participating will be fined, with the penalty depending on the amount wagered. Small-scale cockfighting matches usually involve a few people gathering with relatively small bets; however, some mobile cockfighting arenas attract over a hundred participants, mostly notorious gangsters. They gather, divide into two factions, and are often guarded, sometimes even colluding with authorities to share the spoils. Such gatherings often involve large bets, sometimes reaching hundreds of millions or even billions of dong. This is the amusement of those ruthless, immoral individuals who find pleasure in the suffering of animals.

The same applies to buffalo fighting festivals in Vietnam. Each district and province selects the strongest and fiercest buffaloes to compete, with prizes awarded. Large animals like buffaloes, when they butt heads and horns against each other, look incredibly brutal because each one has sharp horns. Blood flows profusely wherever they butt. The winner is covered in wounds, while the one that runs away is considered the loser; and so on, the winner advances to the finals, quarterfinals, and then to the first and second place, just like in a football match.

This game is truly barbaric because buffaloes are useful animals, helping farmers plow fields and pull carts carrying goods. Yet you heartlessly devise such deadly games for your own amusement. If you were to accidentally cut your hand and bleed a little, the pain would be unbearable. To find amusement in the fighting and stabbing of these animals is truly cruel.

For the sake of a Buddhist conscience and compassion for all living beings, you should only participate in recreational activities that benefit yourself and others. Those deluded find joy in the suffering of animals, while those enlightened find joy in loving, caring for, and helping one another.

3- Finding Joy in Gambling

Some people have a gambling addiction and find pleasure in gambling in various forms such as:

- Betting on the lottery, football matches, and all sorts of other card games.

Many choose this profession to support their wives and children.

- Gambling is very enjoyable and exhilarating, but the rule of gambling is that you win little and lose much, so there is more suffering than joy; if there is joy, it is found in the suffering of others. The winners become arrogant and self-satisfied, while the losers become sad and try to recoup their losses. Those without money to gamble resort to theft, robbery, and fraud.

- Like in football betting, each side has 11 players competing for a single ball to score against the opposing team. During a football match, fans from both sides cheer, and gamblers take advantage of this to place bets, sometimes even bribing players or referees to secure a win. When a player from either side scores, the entire team and fans cheer and shout in encouragement, while the losing side is left dejected, sad, and heartbroken. In this game, the winner is happy; the loser is sad, angry, and resentful. Those who exploit the situation for gambling try to collude, bribe, and fix matches, creating unfair conflicts. The winner is celebrated and happy, while the loser and those who profit from it are sad, heartbroken, and lose money.

- In lottery betting: one unit of currency wins 70 units of currency for a two-digit number, one unit wins 600 units for a three-digit number, and so on, increasing exponentially. This type of gambling ultimately leaves everyone penniless because out of 100 numbers, only 1 wins; 99 lose. How can anyone avoid losing everything? Yet, nowadays, the trend of gambling on lottery numbers has spread throughout all three regions of the country. People rely on the state-run lottery to profit, while the state lottery is only meant to raise funds for community development and benefit the community.

Then some play the lottery based on superstition, like dreaming and then gathering to discuss lucky numbers to bet on. They believe that the spirits, knowing their greed, will help them win a few times. When they win, they celebrate and offer sacrifices to express their gratitude. Over time, the spirits instigate them to reveal a certain number that seems certain. People, consumed by greed, mortgage their houses, determined to get rich by betting on the numbers the spirits have revealed. But that is delusion; they end up selling their houses to pay off debts because of their own greed, and then the whole family has to rent a place to live. Many families suffer like this. Yet, people still play the lottery, not only the elderly but also children.

Some believe in spirit possession and mediumship to get winning numbers. Those who lose don't dare speak up, but those who win spread the word loudly. People, driven by greed, flock to these places, inadvertently enriching those who live off the superstition of others.

- Gambling is a 50/50 chance of winning or losing, and it can still lead to bankruptcy. Imagine playing where you only win 1 and lose 99; how can families not quarrel, fight, and ultimately fall apart? When you win, you throw lavish parties to show off your superiority, but when you're penniless, some even end up in prison. The suffering and misery are immense. Why do you crave gambling, even knowing it will lead to ruin and imprisonment?

Gambling in its various forms has negative consequences for society. Those who harbor, cover up, and condone it all benefit from the ill-gotten gains of those addicted to gambling. When they win, they spend the money on clothes, treats, and entertain relatives and friends with great joy. But when they lose, they borrow, pawn, and sell everything, ultimately facing debt collection and utter misery. Suffering from financial ruin, they resort to deception and fraud. Already impoverished, destitute, with ruined homes and burdened by debt, constantly harassed by creditors, shouting and yelling. If you can't pay, they'll speak harshly or curse you terribly.

Gambling and alcohol are the causes of poverty, deprivation, broken homes, involvement in social vices, and the destruction of family happiness. A wise person should say no to gambling.

4- Finding Joy in Deception and Robbery

Some people are passionate about theft and robbery because of the belief that:

- One night of stealing is worth three years of work.

Therefore, when they see women wearing gold jewelry, they snatch it and take it home, while the victim suffers. Or some secretly break through walls, climb over fences, steal from others, and bring it home to spend happily with their wives and children, completely unaware of the suffering of the victim. Thus, the more suffering the victim endures, the more joy the thief derives. They habitually steal from others out of laziness and a desire for wealth, refusing to work honestly. But if they are caught, they only face imprisonment, beatings, and the prospect of retribution.

Then there are those in positions of power who abuse their authority, exploiting and siphoning off others' possessions for their own gain. That joy, that wealth, is so cruel, devoid of conscience. Yet, in this world, many people enjoy doing such things. This explains why more and more prisons are being built to house those caught in this cycle of vice, who only seek a little pleasure for themselves while harming countless others. These are ignorant and deluded individuals, lacking conscience and morality, who do not realize their mistakes and create unrighteous karma by placing their joy on the suffering of others.

You possess awareness and compassion in your life, always remaining alert and clear-minded, choosing to do good deeds. You never rejoice in the suffering of others. The difference between the enlightened and the deluded lies in their understanding, stemming from a deep belief in karma. Doing good brings blessings, while doing evil brings suffering. Those who steal, rob, or deceive others are now imprisoned or living in poverty and hardship because karma is fair. What someone earns through hard work and sacrifice is stolen, causing immense loss and suffering.

As a true Buddhist, you are someone who is conscious and clear-minded, always finding joy in the happiness of others. You should not steal, rob, or deceive others, thus avoiding harm and suffering.

5. Joy in Alcohol & Drugs

You find joy in smoking, drinking alcohol, injecting heroin, and using drugs:

- Drugs & Alcohol

Those who are addicted to these things are very pitiful. Often, when they are addicted and don't have money to satisfy their cravings, if someone gives them a cigarette or a glass of alcohol, they are overjoyed and extremely happy. They seem to experience overwhelming joy, the joy of an addict when their needs are fully met. If you are addicted and wealthy, you might invite five or seven people to your house and have a party, eating and drinking together. The addict finds satisfaction in alcohol, so they feel happy, until they get too drunk and lose self-control, leading to arguments, disputes, fights, and even murder. When they sober up, they find themselves in prison awaiting trial and compensation.

Addiction to smoking and drinking is tempting for those who are infatuated; not being addicted is tempting for those who are aware and rational. Thus, what the deluded perceive as pleasure is considered suffering by the enlightened; this is a difference in perception between the deluded and the awakened. The deluded only seek immediate gratification for personal pleasure, seeing only the present moment without considering the painful consequences that follow. Those with true wisdom and understanding, being always clear-sighted and alert, never hold lavish parties or engage in excessive drinking. You know that this leads to wasteful spending, extravagance, and ultimately addiction, resulting in illness and further suffering. The cost of a lavish party for wealthy families could support 100 families for three or five days. Such extravagance and wastefulness require them to work three or five times harder just to provide for their families. If it's not through honest work, they resort to exploiting and plundering others to fund such lavish celebrations. Anyone who regularly follows the news will see money laundering schemes costing hundreds of millions, while society still has many people starving for compassion, needing helping hands to survive their days of hunger and poverty.

Some people even act recklessly, inviting friends to a bar to drink and party, then getting carried away and spending lavishly:

- I'll pay for this party because I just hit the jackpot.

Unexpectedly, their newly received monthly salary was squandered by their impulsive spending. Only when they sober up do they realize how reckless they were and have to borrow money to support their family. Any wife who marries a husband addicted to alcohol will never find happiness; if she can't bear it, she'll file for divorce, shattering the family's happiness and leaving the children orphaned and destitute. That's not to mention those who drink without self-control, becoming completely drunk, slurring their words like a madman talking to themselves, staggering around like a bobblehead, returning home to vomit and causing a terrible mess, making their wives and children disgusted, and their parents worried.

The consequences of drinking alcohol don't just stop at vomiting; long-term drinking can lead to illnesses such as:

- Stomach ulcers, cirrhosis, hepatitis B, intestinal pain, etc.

That's the suffering of those addicted to alcohol in the long run. The immediate suffering is causing grief and pain to their families and loved ones. Anyone who has such children, husbands, or fathers has such parasites harming their lives now and in the future.

The pleasure of your delusion is the fleeting satisfaction of personal needs, so its essence is to cause suffering to you and your loved ones. Therefore, those who deeply understand cause and effect will awaken to see that these are the causes of suffering, and thus will never fall into those habits. Especially you, as a true Buddhist, by listening to the Buddha's teachings and knowing how to apply them in daily life, you are always knowledgeable and mindful; because of this mindfulness, you see the suffering that worldly people mistakenly think is pleasure and avoid it.

- Smoking & Injecting:

Now let's talk about the joys and sorrows of those who have become addicted to heroin and other drugs, for both the addict and the sane. Many wealthy individuals or those who are desperate seek pleasure and turn to heroin. At first, they smoke 3 or 5 joints and feel euphoric and intoxicated; then they smoke more and more, becoming addicted. The pleasure of heroin and other drugs makes them even more deluded. Because they don't see the terrible long-term harm, they only know how to bury themselves in pleasure, killing their lives in suffering and delusion. Because when addicted heavily, it's unlike other addictions: if they don't have it for a day, they cry, vomit, and writhe in agony, a truly pitiful state. Drug addiction costs a lot of money because it's the most expensive of all addictions; over time, it leads to health deterioration, a frail and sickly body, and a life that's neither here nor there. Once addicted to this type of drug, the future is certainly ruined, and it also causes suffering to family, loved ones, and society. Not to mention the enormous financial loss leading to financial ruin, homelessness, unemployment, and causing immense suffering and sorrow to spouses, children, parents, and relatives. You are misled and deluded into thinking that opium addiction is a long-lasting source of happiness, so you rush into it like a moth to a flame. Once addicted, you cause suffering to your parents, spouse, children, and siblings, wasting their time and causing them worry and fear. It's truly sad when a family has such addicted members.

A clear-sighted person sees that opium addiction is the cause of eternal suffering for family, loved ones, and society. Opium addiction only brings a little pleasure at first, but afterwards, it leads to countless pains and losses that cause suffering to family and loved ones. The most realistic reality in the present is physical and mental ruin, financial ruin, theft, fraud, abandonment by parents, spouse, children, siblings, and being shunned by friends. Only the unluckiest person would marry such a spouse. Therefore, wise and discerning people know how to avoid this from the beginning, so the suffering never happens. That is the immediate pleasure of those deluded by opium addiction, leaving behind heavy material losses and causing them to increasingly lose their moral character and integrity. Getting involved in smoking, drinking, gambling, and drug use will lead to poverty, financial loss, illness, and the destruction of their homes.

Awakened people will see the consequences of these things and avoid them from the outset through careful consideration and reflection. An awakened person knows that gambling, drinking, and drug use are the causes of poverty, illness, and suffering in the present and future. Therefore, you should avoid suffering and distress for yourself, and not bother others; that is the mark of a wise and enlightened person. A person who is awakened always strives and is determined to overcome life's pitfalls, taking joy and benefit for humanity as their life's baggage, sharing joy and sorrow.

In this world, some very young people know how to live with transcendent joy, far removed from the five desires, and from a young age have known how to practice vegetarianism and cultivate mindfulness. However, from the perspective of those who are deluded, they mock, criticize, and oppose this, considering it foolish and ignorant, not knowing how to enjoy the pleasures of life outside. Consider those who smoke, drink alcohol, gamble, and use drugs compared to those who are not entangled in these things; see who is deluded and who is enlightened.

6- Passion in lust

In this world, some people always chase after sensual pleasures and find joy in them. For example, a young man who simultaneously interacts with 5 or 7 girls and is admired by them feels happy and proud, thinking himself charming and elegant, thus loved by many. But you don't realize that this happiness is built on the suffering and torment that will follow. Often, those with a charming personality must be skilled at lying, deceiving, or must be wealthy and famous to use money to seduce girls. For these people, their first suffering is:

- Physical exhaustion,

- Mental turmoil from having to concoct lies and deception.

Many people who are married still engage in promiscuous behavior, changing husbands and wives like changing clothes, and taking pleasure and pride in it. They don't realize that each change brings suffering, leaving their children without a father or mother, abandoned, lost, miserable, and without anyone to rely on. That kind of happiness is the selfish happiness of a parent that causes their children hardship and suffering, making them easily distracted and neglect their studies, leading them astray with bad friends.

The karma of lust and sexual desire has caused immense suffering and misery to many, from ordinary people to politicians, kings, and officials. It drives people mad with greed, leading to robbery, murder, and conflict due to ignorance and delusion.

Many people seek it wherever they go, so when they are young, everyone says they are destined for romance. But instead of romance, they now reflect on it with immense pain, because they only exploited the flesh of others to satisfy their own animalistic desires. Before marriage, they engage in promiscuous affairs, chasing after one woman after another, pursuing one man after another, and then another wealthy man, doing everything to win each other's favor, thus suffering countless hardships and misery. Even after achieving their goal, they spend sleepless nights, exhausted and worn out; yet their craving remains! During the feudal era, kings rarely lived past 50 years old because they had so many concubines and beautiful women. You see those who indulge in excessive pleasure and revelry; although they find joy, their bodies become emaciated and worn out, their spirits weak, leading to premature death.

You, knowing the harmful effects of sensual pleasure, understand its consequences and learn to moderate and regulate it. This allows you to maintain your health, work, and serve society for a long time, thus increasing your blessings. Therefore, for those who have renounced worldly life, the most important thing is to transform the karma of sensual desire to fully achieve their aspirations. It's not simple or easy, which is why those new to the practice are often compared to:

- Mango blossoms and fish eggs.

Although mango blossoms are abundant, only a few mangoes remain on the tree. Fish are born in abundance, but to become large fish, they must endure a difficult existence. Many people, even at 80 years old, when asked:

- Is that all gone?

They reply:

- As long as I can still eat rice, it's not over yet.

This demonstrates how the karma of sensual desire has devastated the entire human world. True Buddhists know how to uphold the precept of monogamy, avoiding adultery and illicit relationships with other people's families. In sexual relations, moderation and restraint are essential to maintain health, support one's family and loved ones, contribute to society, and uphold the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). Those who cultivate mindfulness find joy in loving all beings equally.

In short, worldly pleasures are not truly joyful; they are traps that lead people astray into the ocean of suffering. The endless wars in this world stem from the causes of killing living beings, alcohol, drugs, and lust. The initial cause is simply killing animals for food, while everyone clings to life and fears death, believing their own lives are precious, gradually leading to merciless killing. The initial cause is simply gambling for a few pennies, but it creates countless problems. The initial cause was merely smoking a few cigarettes or injecting a few drugs, yet life became depraved. The initial cause was simply a desire for fame and fortune, leading to the ruin of one's family and career. But all of these things are causes of endless resentment and hatred; that is why this world is always plagued by war and mutual slaughter, all because of the cause of killing. The Buddha taught that all sentient beings possess a clear and equal Buddha-nature; therefore, true Buddhists know to avoid pleasures that cause suffering to animals and always find joy in virtuous actions that are in accordance with human morality.