Title: How to Avoid Jealousy of Others' Happiness (Teachings of Buddha: "Rejoicing in Others' Merits")
There are times in our daily lives when we can't help but feel jealous of others' happiness. Whether it’s when a friend or coworker gets promoted, succeeds in their relationship, or acquires something we don't have. However, this feeling of jealousy does not bring positive outcomes for either ourselves or others. In this video, we will explore how to overcome jealousy and the power of “Rejoicing in Others’ Merits,” a Buddhist concept, which teaches us to genuinely celebrate the happiness of others.
First, let’s explore why we tend to feel jealousy. Buddhism teaches that humans are naturally inclined toward competition and comparison. We compare ourselves to others to validate our sense of self-worth. This act of "comparison" stems from a desire to boost our own self-esteem, and when others succeed, it can make us feel inferior, leading to jealousy.
Jealousy not only harms ourselves but can also damage relationships with others. For instance, when a friend gets married or succeeds at work, and we feel, "I don’t have that kind of happiness," it creates emotional distance between us and that friend. This can result in a strained relationship and the accumulation of negative feelings within us.
So, how can we overcome this feeling of jealousy? This is where the Buddhist concept of "Rejoicing in Others’ Merits" (随喜功徳) comes in. "Rejoicing" refers to genuinely celebrating another’s happiness, and "merits" refers to the spiritual benefits and blessings that come from virtuous actions. In other words, by rejoicing in others' success as if it were our own, we accumulate positive karma that benefits us.
"Rejoicing in Others' Merits" is a simple yet highly effective way to overcome jealousy. In Buddhism, it is taught that by sincerely rejoicing in the success and happiness of others, we ourselves become happier. This concept is based on the universal law that positive actions and energies return to us.
For example, when a friend achieves success in their new job, instead of feeling envious, genuinely say, "Congratulations!" By doing so, you attract positive energy into your life. Moreover, when you consistently celebrate others' happiness, those around you will also begin to view you in a more positive light, improving your relationships.
To truly practice "Rejoicing in Others' Merits," the first step is to acknowledge and accept feelings of jealousy without trying to suppress them. While we cannot always control our emotions, we can choose how to respond to them. When feelings of jealousy arise, simply acknowledge them by saying, "I am feeling jealous right now," and then practice letting go of that emotion through deep breathing.
Next, try to cultivate a positive outlook on others' happiness. For instance, when a friend buys a new house or goes on an exciting trip, instead of thinking, "I can’t afford that yet," try saying, "That’s wonderful! May I experience such happiness in the future, too." Shifting to this positive mindset not only diminishes jealousy but also enhances your own sense of joy and contentment.
Buddhism also teaches the law of cause and effect, which states that our actions and thoughts create future outcomes. Negative emotions like jealousy and envy lead to negative outcomes, but by celebrating others’ happiness, we attract positive results in our lives.
Here’s one example: A woman initially felt jealousy when she learned that her coworker got promoted. But she decided to transform that jealousy into "Rejoicing in Others’ Merits" and sincerely congratulated her colleague. As a result, not long after, she herself received a promotion and became highly respected by those around her. This illustrates how celebrating others' success leads to our own success.
Of course, completely eradicating jealousy might be challenging. However, by practicing the teachings of Buddhism, we can avoid being controlled by this emotion and learn to embrace others’ happiness as our own. Doing so will bring peace to our hearts and make life more fulfilling and joyful.
Finally, remember that by practicing "Rejoicing in Others' Merits," we not only celebrate others' happiness but also attract good fortune to ourselves. Rejoicing in others' success and happiness is the first step toward our own happiness.
Thank you for reading until the end of today's post. Please start practicing "Rejoicing in Others' Merits" from today. By celebrating others' happiness, let’s create a cycle of happiness that returns to us. See you again in the next time!
