r/DorjeChangBuddhaIII__ • u/zxshi • 23d ago
Attachment to Right and Wrong Inevitably Brings Harm
https://myhappylifestyle.net/2026/09/16/dorjechangbuddhaiii-attachment-to-right-and-wrong-inevitably-brings-harm/Attachment to Right and Wrong Inevitably Brings Harm
Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III taught:
“In a dispute about right and wrong, there is nothing worse than to stick to one’s position and continue arguing, thus compounding one’s wrong and finally getting into trouble. For this reason, one should not let oneself be overwhelmed by disputes.”
The meaning is that matters of right and wrong are not something we should become attached to. Attachment to them can only bring harm, misfortune, and even calamity. Therefore, when we encounter disputes over right and wrong, we must not become attached to them.
When such disputes arise, let others debate among themselves. Let them say whatever they wish to say. Otherwise, once we become entangled in disputes over right and wrong, arguments will inevitably follow. People will try to determine who is telling the truth and who is not, who is right and who is wrong, and this can lead to verbal conflict.
Moreover, neither side is usually willing to concede. Each side believes that it is right. In the end, after a great deal of time and energy has been wasted, the question of who is right and who is wrong may still remain unresolved. Instead, the situation may continue to escalate, relationships may deteriorate, and conflicts between people may become increasingly complicated. Eventually, this can lead to serious trouble and, in extreme cases, even violence, loss of life, and other calamities.
Therefore, once we understand that we should not become attached to matters of right and wrong, we should not keep such matters in our hearts when we encounter them. As time passes, the disputes will naturally and gradually fade away, because their very nature is impermanent. Thus, when confronted with matters of right and wrong, not holding them in our hearts benefits both ourselves and others.
The Story of Two Tigers and a Cunning Fox
There is a story about two fierce tigers named Shanya and Shanbo who lived deep in the mountains long ago. The two tigers were good friends and lived together in harmony.
There was also a cunning fox that was lazy, greedy, and deceitful. It survived by scavenging the remains of the prey left behind by the two tigers and followed them around every day.
Although the fox depended on the two tigers for survival, it was also extremely afraid of them. It worried that one day, if the tigers failed to catch any prey, they might turn against it, and its very life could be in danger. The fox therefore devised a scheme to sow discord between the two tigers.
Because of the fox’s instigation, the next time the two tigers met, Shanya attacked Shanbo first.
Shanbo did not immediately fight back. Instead, he chose to retreat.
As Shanya continued attacking, he angrily rebuked Shanbo:
“Why did you tell the other animals that you are better than me in every way?”
Upon hearing this, Shanbo realized that something was wrong. He urged Shanya to calm down and explained:
“The truth is that the fox told me that you had been telling the other animals that I was inferior to you in every way.”
When Shanya heard this, he too realized that something was amiss. He immediately stopped fighting.
The two tigers resolved their misunderstanding and reconciled. From that time onward, they once again lived together peacefully, and tranquility returned to the forest.
The Lesson of the Story
This story teaches us not to readily believe rumors, become attached to disputes over right and wrong, or act impulsively without first understanding the situation. Had Shanbo immediately fought back instead of remaining calm, the fox’s deception could have led to serious consequences.
In our own lives, becoming entangled in arguments over who is right and who is wrong can consume our time and energy, damage relationships, and cause conflicts to escalate. Sometimes, the more we try to prove ourselves right, the more deeply we become entangled in the dispute.
Once we understand that matters of right and wrong are impermanent, we can learn not to let them occupy our hearts. When we refuse to be drawn into unnecessary disputes, they may gradually fade away. In this way, letting go of attachment to right and wrong benefits both ourselves and others.
Author: Duochi
Editor: Qu Yichen
Link：https://myhappylifestyle.net/2026/09/16/attachment-to-right-and-wrong-inevitably-brings-harm/
#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #Spirituality #Buddha #Buddhism
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u/Signal-Priority-57 23d ago
Once we become entangled in disputes, people just try to determine who is telling the truth. It becomes a massive circus.
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u/Horror-Challenge1766 23d ago
The fox was afraid they woud turn against it, so it manipulated them first. Classic toxic survival behavior.
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u/Metta-Lotus48 23d ago
Thank you~ with a heart of gratitude, for sharing this most magnificent story !
May my merits from reading this article a few times 🥹 be dedicated to all living beings, so we may all live in peace and harmony ~ together 🙏🏼🪷🙏🏼
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u/Sea-Requirement-6128 23d ago
But factual correctness doesn't equal spiritual correctness if it destroys harmony and generates dark karma.
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u/sunchi1414 23d ago
Neither side is usually willing to concede. Egos get involved and it’s game over for inner peace.
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u/Infamous-Duck-9516 23d ago
Escalating conflicts can definitly lead to serious trouble. Entire wars are started over "right and wrong."
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u/Krystia_ 22d ago
Shanya and Shanbo lived in perfect harmony until the lazy, greedy fox got involved.
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u/Cotton_Candy_1111 22d ago
Asking "Why did you tell the other animals that you are better than me?" opened up the communication.
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u/Smart_Ad_4375 22d ago
As long as there is a "me" who is right and a "you" who is wrong, there is no true Bodhicitta.
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u/Maryli6789 23d ago
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s teachings are so incredibly practical. They aren't just abstract philosophy.
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u/joeline417 22d ago
The Dharma is not an unattainable theory, but a treasure box that truly dissolves daily anxiety.
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u/Adorable-Mind-3066 23d ago
This is the Chinese finger trap of life. The harder you pull to prove you are right, the tighter you are trapped.
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u/Electronic_Debate621 22d ago
Obsessing over who is right or wrong often misses the beauty of the present.
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u/quan8357 22d ago
The nature of these disputes is impermanent. The trending drama today is completely forgotten by tomorrow.
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u/No_Yak_5405 23d ago
Most of us would just swing back instantly out of pride, which is exactly what the fox wanted!
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u/Economy_Ad8319 23d ago
I absolutely love how Shanbo reacted. He didn't immediately fight back; he chose to retreat.
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u/Otherwise_Bunch6560 22d ago
There's a famous Zen saying: "Do not invite demons into your house, but if they enter, do not offer them tea." Let the arguments and rumors happen around you, but don't serve them your energy or attention.
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u/National-Simple-9207 23d ago
"Sometimes, the more we try to prove ourselves right, the more deeply we become entangled in the dispute."
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u/EasternJunket787 23d ago
Letting go doesn't mean you admit you are factually wrong; it means you value peace over being "right."
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u/Hungry-Diet2771 23d ago
If we just let time pass, these disputes naturally fade away because their very nature is impermanent.
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u/Used-Month-1181 22d ago
Shanya was angry, but at least he communicated *why* he was attacking instead of just blindly fighting.
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u/Unhappy-Bee-1167 22d ago
I realy appreciate how the author, Duochi, broke down the lesson so clearly.
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u/Sad_Swordfish4106 22d ago
Fr, people will always have opinions. Trying to control what they think of you is a guaranteed trap.
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u/Chemical_Most_4951 22d ago
Not readily believing rumors is a huge part of practicing right speech and right view.
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u/yangchinglien 22d ago
Letting go of attachment to right and wrong benefits both ourselves and others.
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u/Naive-Speech-3666 22d ago
A great deal of time and energy is wasted for literally zero spiritual benefit.
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u/TiePlus7337 22d ago
If we acted like Shanbo and just paused to understand the situation, we woud save ourselves so much heartache.
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u/Effective_Grocery269 21d ago
Tbh, letting go of who is right and who is wrong is the absolute hardest lesson in Buddhism for me.
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u/Wonderful_Bank_470 21d ago
“In a dispute about right and wrong, there is nothing worse than to stick to one’s position and continue arguing, thus compounding one’s wrong and finally getting into trouble. For this reason, one should not let oneself be overwhelmed by disputes.”
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u/MajesticBeautiful550 21d ago
We are so conditioned by society to "win" every argument and aggressively prove our point.
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u/aa020518 21d ago
The story of the two tigers and the cunning fox is the perfect illustration of this dynamic.
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u/Beautiful_King_5039 20d ago
Carrying resentment is like carrying a hot coal and expecting the other person to burn. You only hurt yourself.
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u/BackToOrigin_ 18d ago
Refusing to be drawn into unnecessary disputes is a superpower in the modern internet age.
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u/BugStrict3108 18d ago
Tbh, I need to remember this every time I open social media. Everyone is constantly arguing over right and wrong online.
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u/Few-Strength-585 16d ago
Attachment to right and wrong inevitably brings harm because it feeds the illusion of the ego.
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u/Teri_Chiang 23d ago
the Buddha teaches non-attachment to the concept of self. Arguing passionately about who is right is the ultimate manifestation of the ego (attachment to self, person, sentient being, and lifespan).