Equality begets respect

Dear viewers, hello. Today, I'd like to share with you the Buddhist concept of equality among all beings and equality for all people. This principle was promoted by Shakyamuni Buddha after he cultivated the path, attained enlightenment, and realized the truth.

 In ancient India, racial and class distinctions were strictly enforced. Even today, vestiges of caste-based discrimination persist.In those times, Shakyamuni Buddha taught that anyone who practices virtue and accumulates merit can ascend to heaven or be reborn into a wealthy family in this world. Conversely, regardless of one's faith, those who commit evil deeds and engage in wrongdoing will inevitably fall into what we call the Three Evil Realms: hell, hungry ghosts, and animals.

In the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, whoever came to him to become a monk, whoever entered the monastic life first, was considered the senior monk. At that time, there were the so-called Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.The Shudras, sometimes referred to in English as "untouchables," belonged to the lowest caste, the despised outcasts. Yet during Shakyamuni Buddha's time, a Shudra named Venerable Upali renounced the world and became a monk under the Buddha. After his ordination, even high-ranking officials and nobles, including a prince, came to seek ordination under him.Thus, Upananda, the Shudra from the lowly caste, entered the monastic life first. Those who came later, despite their noble status, still became his junior disciples. They had to pay him homage and bow to him. This is how Shakyamuni Buddha demonstrated the equality of the four castes—just as all rivers flow into the ocean, sharing the same salty taste, there is no difference.

Mahakatyayana, the foremost disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, was also asked: "Do you believe that a noble Brahmin will be reborn as a Brahmin in his next life? And that a lowly Shudra will be reborn as a Shudra? This seems rather unequal—as if it were predestined by fate."Mahakatyayana replied, "Consider this: If a Brahmin performs good deeds, would he not receive praise and commendation? He would. If a Brahmin commits evil acts—even murder, robbery, or truly wicked deeds—would he not face legal punishment? He would. If he commits murder or arson, would he not fall into hell, become a hungry ghost, or be reborn as an animal after death? He would."Well then, similarly, if these lowly people, these Shudras, perform good deeds and accumulate virtue, can they not ascend to heaven after death or be reborn into wealthy and noble families? He said yes. Likewise, if these lowly people commit evil deeds—murder, arson, and so on—not only will they face legal punishment, but after death they will still fall into hell, become hungry ghosts, or be reborn as animals. Is that correct?He said yes. Therefore, it is evident that regardless of how noble your race or how lowly your caste, accumulating virtue leads to rebirth in favorable realms—what we call the holy and virtuous paths, namely the human realm and the heavenly realms. Conversely, no matter how exalted your caste, if you commit countless evils and engage in wicked deeds, you will still be reborn in the evil realms after death—namely hell, hungry ghosts, and animals.Those of lowly caste who practice virtue and accumulate merit can ascend to heaven, to the human realm, to the virtuous realms. If they commit evil, engage in wicked deeds, and do many bad things, after death they will all go to hell, hungry ghosts, or animals. Is this not equality for all?

Therefore, Shakyamuni Buddha taught that regardless of whether you have religious faith, as long as you practice kindness and accumulate virtue, you can ascend to the good realms. In Buddhism, the good realms refer to the human realm and the heavenly realms.However, if you commit evil deeds—such as murder or arson—regardless of your religious beliefs, you will fall into the evil realms: hell, hungry ghosts, or animals. This means that human actions determine our future and our next life. This is the theory of Shakyamuni Buddha.

 Thus, in the real world, we observe many individuals who are extremely wealthy and many who are impoverished. Their present circumstances are intrinsically linked to their actions in past lives. Those who, in previous existences, practiced generosity, accumulated virtue, and cared for society's poor, sick, and disaster-stricken—engaging in relief efforts and aid—did much of this in their past lives. Consequently, in this life, though they may not need to engage in arduous labor or difficult occupations, they find it remarkably easy to earn wealth.Many who are impoverished, however, can be said to have accumulated little merit in past lives. By "accumulating merit," we mean performing good deeds, giving generously, doing charitable acts, and helping others in previous existences. Conversely, those who see others in need yet lack the capacity to assist them, who are greedy for money or stingy, and so on—such individuals, no matter how hard they work or how diligently they labor in this life, remain poor in the world.

We say, some claim they have money, that they rely on wisdom—like Bill Gates, like Warren Buffett—and they are indeed wise. But in this world, there are those who are very clever, and there are those who are very foolish.Those who were wise in past lives taught others with great dedication, hoping to impart all their knowledge. They wished their students would surpass them, for in Chinese society, it's said that while there may be top scholars, there are no top scholar teachers—meaning the top scholar was taught by a teacher who themselves didn't achieve that rank.Therefore, if in past lives you taught others—whether knowledge, skills, or common sense—with all your strength and shared everything you knew, then in this life you will be intelligent.If in past lives you were stingy—when others sought your guidance on knowledge or skills, you refused to teach fully and thoroughly—say, as a doctor withholding crucial prescription details like the most vital herb, deliberately omitting it so the treatment wouldn't be truly effective.This is connected to past lives. Thus, whether one is wealthy or poor, wise or foolish, beautiful or ugly in this life—all these are karmically linked to previous existences. Buddhism teaches the continuity of past, present, and future lives.Some religions may not agree with this, but in fact, Buddhism acknowledges genetic inheritance—DNA inheritance. Our physical bodies come from our parents, formed by the combination of their genes and embryonic stem cells. However, each person's mind and intentions are shaped by the traces left by their actions in previous lives.That's why siblings, including twin brothers or sisters, sometimes differ in physical health and appearance. Sisters may vary—sometimes the older sister is more beautiful, sometimes the younger sister is prettier. For instance, one sister might have fairer, smoother skin while the other has rougher skin. Why? Because a person's appearance is influenced by their past lives. Those who frequently volunteered, helped others, and brought joy to people in previous lives tend to be more attractive.Thus, when their heart's intention enters the womb in this life, it influences the fetus. Their appearance becomes endearing, drawing affection from all who see them and granting them great popularity. Conversely, those who in past lives refused to help others or harbored jealousy—such attitudes affect their appearance in this life. Some may even face disabilities.This is not the mother's responsibility. Both parents possess excellent genes. So why does a son or daughter born with such disabilities exist? It is because this child's memory, consciousness, and spirit carry memories from past lives. The good deeds and bad deeds they once committed influence their present life—their health, beauty, dignity, and handsomeness—this is how it comes to be.Therefore, if we can believe in past lives, present lives, and future lives—and believe that our future is determined by our actions in this present life—then we must cultivate positive thinking, generate positive energy, and consider others in all we do. What we accomplish in this way brings joy to others; this is positive energy. Thus, we can be certain of a better future and a better next life. Therefore, if we can believe in this truth, every person is filled with opportunity, filled with hope, filled with light.

I believe this is the essence of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings: he fundamentally emphasizes equality for all. Regardless of noble lineage, high status, or humble origins, anyone who practices virtue and accumulates merit will surely have a brighter future.Whether noble or humble, if one commits evil deeds, the future will inevitably be unfavorable. Such actions determine one's fate. Behavior stems from one's thoughts—positive thinking leads to righteous actions, while negative thoughts and behaviors bring displeasure to others. This aligns with modern common sense, as advocated by contemporary knowledge: only through positive thinking can we cultivate positive energy. This not only brings joy to others but also closely relates to one's own physical health, longevity, and well-being. Thank you all.