【Concept】This era needs the gift of fearlessness

In today's chaotic world, our first priority should be to offer others the gift of fearlessness. Start with yourself, then extend it to those around you, to society, and to the world, letting the power of stability spread. In the face of an impermanent and fragile world, be at peace with yourself and others, and offer them the gift of fearlessness.

■ Qiu Huimin (邱惠敏)

In the past, when people spoke of giving, the first thing that came to mind was often financial giving. However, as times change, the most terrifying events reported in the daily news are natural disasters and human-made catastrophes. The fear we feel in the face of these tragedies, combined with the reality of impermanence, actually reflects a sense of spiritual scarcity and poverty.

Buddhism says there are three kinds of poverty: poverty of property, poverty of methods of cultivating blessings and practicing the Path, and poverty of courage in how to behave in the world. There are also three corresponding kinds of giving: giving of money and property, giving of the Dharma, and giving of fearlessness. Money and property can help improve the material lives of sentient beings, the Dharma can nourish their spiritual lives, and fearlessness can empower them to uphold moral responsibility, choose the path of goodness, and move forward with courage. Therefore, the "recollection of generosity" among the Six Recollections can offer support to all who experience poverty.

In an era when society's populations feel generally uneasy, the practice of "giving fearlessness" becomes  even more important. When people have the resources to calm the mind and eliminate fear, they gain the courage to face the future without fear.

Giving fearlessness by putting oneself in others' shoes

As a Buddhist disciple, the most fundamental form of giving fearlessness is to observe the Five Precepts. The Buddha described this observation as a kind of "self-taught method" based on putting oneself in others' shoes. If we do not wish others to commit harmful acts toward us through killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander, harsh speech, or gossip, then likewise, others would not wish for us to do these things to them. Therefore, the Buddha Speaks of Five Great Giving Sutra says that observing the Five Precepts is equivalent to practicing five kinds of "great giving." Take the precept of not killing as an example: "By not killing, one gives fearlessness to countless sentient beings. Because of fearlessness, there is no resentment, no hatred, and no harm. As countless sentient beings receive fearlessness, free from resentment, hatred, and harm, they can attain peace and happiness both in heaven and on earth. Therefore, refraining from killing is called great giving. The same applies to not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not speaking falsely, and not using intoxicants.”

When we put ourselves in others' shoes, understand their emotions and thoughts, and approach problems from their perspective, this kind of empathy is a form of giving fearlessness.

Loving-kindness meditation to calm yourself and others

There are various kinds of suffering in the world — from minor pains like illness, unhappiness, conflict, and frustration, to the extreme hardships of violence and even war. In the face of suffering sentient beings, how can we offer fearlessness to others? In the scriptures, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who hears the cries of those in distress and comes to their aid, is a model of "the one who gives fearlessness." The Bodhisattva helps people eradicate danger and fear in various forms. The Bodhisattva's most fundamental power arises from compassion. We can cultivate compassion through loving-kindness meditation. First, we nurture loving-kindness in our own hearts—wishing for all sentient beings to be free from fear and physical and mental suffering, as well as to experience health and happiness. From this foundation, we generate tremendous courage and strength from within, and then take practical actions to help sentient beings in need and work to end their suffering.

Looking around us, we can see many givers of fearlessness. Lay Buddhist Shen Jiazhen, in his book Diamond Sutra Research, points out: "Anyone who helps people or other sentient beings—such as animals and wild creatures—with great compassion, and reduces or eliminates their fear, anxiety, and suffering, is considered to be giving fearlessness. Generally speaking, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and police officers are all givers of fearlessness."

The international medical humanitarian organization "Doctors Without Borders" ventures into some of the most dangerous corners of the world, providing aid based on need—regardless of race, religion, gender, or political circumstances. Breaking national boundaries, they offer fearlessness to those affected by armed conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare systems.

There is also Peng Renduo, who spreads positive energy online in hopes of reducing bullying; Lin Juncheng, CEO of Xiaocao Bookstore, who has created a safe learning and growth space for high-risk students in his hometown; and Yukio Shige, a retired police officer who works to prevent suicides at Tojinbo Cliff, a well-known suicide site in Japan. In addition, many social welfare groups offer listening, companionship, and care across different times and spaces. They light the way for sentient beings in need, walk with them through hardship, and help them find hope in the world.

Giving from the Bodhisattva's mind and actions

"For the benefit of sentient beings, one should not fear suffering. If sentient beings are free from suffering, then one's own suffering becomes joy." Master Sheng Yen once said, "A person who practices loving-kindness meditation with bodhicitta not only seeks to free sentient beings from physical and mental suffering, but also, if the conditions are ripe, will guide them to find joy in the Dharma and eventually enter Nirvana.”

Therefore, the Bodhisattva's practice of giving—one of the Four Means of Embracing used to benefit sentient beings—not only provides them with material and daily necessities, but also supports their spiritual growth. Only by understanding the impermanence of the world and the reality that death may come at any time can we truly overcome the fear of death. As Japanese Zen Master Ryokan once consoled his friends in times of disaster: "It is best to encounter disaster when disaster is due, and best to die when death is due." Only with correct understanding of the right views can we live fearlessly with an "ordinary mind" and give fearlessness to others.


Related articles:

【Concept】This era needs the gift of fearlessness

[Stories] The Wise Ones Who Free Sentient Beings from Fear

[Q&A Section] Generosity (Dāna): More Than Just Giving


Resource: Issue 425 of Humanity Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Translation: Christina 
Editing: Keith Brown, 演香法師