Individual and Shared Joy 獨樂與共樂 from Collection of Rain Blossoms

From Individual Joy to Shared Joy. Image: Shutterstock.

I believe it’s easy to feel happy when you’re on your own, but much harder to find joy together with others. And happiness you keep only to yourself isn’t real happiness. In no time, sadness can rise up and sweep it away — this happens again and again in life. That’s why I say: only when joy is shared can it be called true joy. That kind of joy never runs dry, and its taste is endless.

This is also why, in Buddhism, we put so much value on dedication. We always place all beings at the heart of our prayers. Even when we pray for ourselves, we first think of others. The aim is to open our hearts wide enough so that the blessings we receive can reach and benefit everyone.

After all, what kind of joy is it if you keep it to yourself? If you drink alone, can you really taste the sweetness? That’s why Confucius and Mencius taught, “Be the first to worry about the world’s troubles, and the last to share in the world’s joy.” Their teaching comes very close to the Buddha’s. The only difference is that the Buddha goes one step further: true joy is to rejoice together with all beings.

獨樂與共樂

雨花集

濟公活佛

吾以為獨樂易, 共樂難, 獨樂乃假樂, 不轉瞬間悲從中來, 比比皆然, 惟有共樂方算真真正正快樂, 其味無窮也。 同時佛教首重回向, 一切以眾生為中心點, 私人祈求, 亦先以眾生為首, 務必普及於大眾。

獨樂何樂? 一人自酌試問味從何來? 是以孔孟之論, 先天下之憂而憂, 後天下之樂而樂, 對於佛說甚為接近; 所不同者, 佛說更深一步, 要以眾生共樂而樂耳。

A Personal Reflection

I love this chapter because it helps me see joy on the path more deeply. Many of us on the path feel a deep joy as we gain insights and start to see the teachings come alive in our everyday lives. That kind of joy strengthens our resolve in practice and keeps us moving forward. In Buddhism it’s often called 法喜 (fǎ xǐ) — a profound gladness that comes from practice itself and from seeing the truth for ourselves.

But it’s also easy to get carried away with that joy and forget that the world is still full of suffering. That’s why we’re reminded to follow the bodhisattva vows — so we don’t just stay wrapped up in our own joy, but work to bring liberation to others too.

For me, one way I try to do this is by sharing any merit from these translations with the world, especially with those stuck in endless craving, the suffering of the hungry ghost realm. I see myself as very fortunate. I don’t have wealth or fame, but I’ve been blessed enough to follow my calling, and that’s already more than enough. Anything extra that comes my way, I’d rather dedicate to those who need it more, so they too can walk the path of liberation. This, more than anything, keeps me going in the work of translation.

This translated text is a chapter from Collection of Rain Blossoms, a scripture written by JiGong Living Buddha in the 1900s through spirit writing. Here the link to the original Chinese source.

If you are interested in other chapters of this book, here is the link to the table of contents.