
Good morning everyone, this is Dharma Espresso for today, and may the sun rays warmly welcome you to a peaceful new day.
Dear friends, we will continue the talk about the story of the Kitchen God, a very interesting tale. On the 23rd day of the lunar month, when the Kitchen God returns to heaven, he reports to the Jade Emperor about the happenings on earth. But the question is, what does the Jade Emperor do? If we do good, will he reward us? And if we do bad, will he punish us?
According to tradition, the Jade Emperor only listens to know what has transpired. He does not punish, nor does he reward. Typically, he offers good advice, guidance on what we should avoid, helping us build trust in ourselves to lead happier lives.
That is the role of someone virtuous and compassionate. Therefore, the Jade Emperor is not a judge, be there to pass judgment; instead, he offers wise counsel. For this reason, the Kitchen God returns on the last day of the year to deliver the Jade Emperor's message to us. The message often consists of good advice, words of guidance that help us reflect and aim for a prosperous new year.
For the Year of the Snake, perhaps we hope that the Jade Emperor would share with us the positive aspects of it. Since the Jade Emperor is not physically present, I’ve searched and pondered to understand what kind of advice we might received.
We should look at the symbolism of the snake.
In reality, everyone fears snakes. If a snake crawls into your bed and hides under your blanket, it would be very dangerous when you get in, as it could bite you. Unless you’re someone who lives in the countryside and is accustomed to handling snakes, this fear is universal. Why are we so afraid?
What does the snake symbolize?
Instead of focusing on fear, during the Year of the Snake, we should emphasize being careful and cautious. We need to tread carefully, always observing our surroundings. The Year of the Snake reminds us to be vigilant about the things we are about to do, the words we are about to say, and the situations we encounter. It is a year to "think seven times before speaking." We should act gently, avoiding clumsiness or harsh words and actions.
Thus, the image of the snake teaches us to stay alert and attentive.
The snake has no legs. In Buddhism, there is a type of mythical creature among the eight divisions of deities and spirits called Mahoraga. Mahoraga is a giant python or serpent, also known as a "belly-walker". The term ‘belly-walker’ comes from the idea that these creatures move using their belly.
The Buddha taught that ‘belly-walker’ symbolizes doing things primarily from the heart, from our inner self, rather than just from the mind (intellect). This aligns with a common Vietnamese saying about people with a "good heart" or being "kind-hearted." The term ‘belly-walker’ (phúc hành) is profound, teaching us that all actions should originate from our goodwill. The word hành means "to walk," but it also means "to act." Thus, ‘belly-walker’ can be understood as "acting with kindness" or "doing good deeds.”
This is something we should remember in the coming year, the Year of the Snake. While we may not know exactly what the Jade Emperor would say, these two recommendations are certainly not contrary to truth.
The third point is quite unique. Among all animals, snakes have the distinctive trait of continuously shedding their skin.
Young snakes shed their skin several times a year. Older snakes may only shed once every few years. Ancient snakes, said to live for thousands of years, might shed their skin only once every few centuries.
Why do snakes shed their skin? To rejuvenate. Snake skin becomes hardened over time, and shedding it allows for renewal. This represents the quality of regeneration—becoming younger and more agile. For humans, there is a saying: changing one's appearance.
Thus, in the Year of the Snake, we should strive to become better and more ideal versions of ourselves—the person we want to be, not the person we have passively become, influenced by bad habits that we may not even notice. We should consciously cultivate good habits to shape ourselves into that ideal.
Dear friends, for this reason, the Year of the Snake naturally inspires us with hope for change—positive change. We should "shed our skin" and transform into the person we truly wish to become.
These are the three messages we can embrace in the upcoming Year of the Snake. Even if we do not know exactly what the Jade Emperor might say, these three points are at least worth reflecting on.
First, we should be vigilant. Approach situations gently and thoughtfully; for anything we plan to do, we should remain mindful and alert.
Second, we should act with kindness, letting our actions stem from a good heart.
Third, we should continuously renew and improve ourselves, striving for growth and transformation.
Thank you all for listening, and I wish you a peaceful and fulfilling day.
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