BY: Rebina
“Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world.
By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased.
This is a law eternal.”
— Gautam Buddha
Hatred continues only when someone chooses to carry it forward.
Resentment, grudge and hatred often make people feel powerful and worthy and arrogant . When someone hurts us, we immediately seek revenge believing it will help ease the humility you suffered for. We think seeking revenge will regain our power back and helps to restore our pride and dignity. But the truth is hatred does not end hatred, instead it multiplies it. Hatred feeds on hatred like fire feed on dry wood. The more we give it, the stronger it burns.
Every act of anger plants a new seed of anger and revenge. Words spoken and actions done in rage only give birth to more anger and wounds answering all with pain and sufferings. This endless cycle has shaped conflicts between individuals, communities and even nations. Hatred and anger is not the solution to the problem instead it increases more disparities and conflicts and you lose your normal self and suffer quietly in the dark corner of your heart and mind. It is simply like you are knowingly inviting a bunch of discomfort and suffering to your life.
However, non-hatred interrupts the cycle.
Non- hatred does not mean weakness or submission. It means responding with awareness rather than reaction. It is the ability to pause when anger rises and choose understanding over retaliation. And the moment, we realize it the chain of suffering begins to break.
True strength lies in refusing to let another person’s anger control our own mind. When you start generating compassion and kindness it replaces the burden of revenge you believed would bring you peace. What once seemed like an unstoppable flame slowly fades.
This is why Buddha called it an eternal law. Just as darkness disappears when light enters, hatred dissolves when met with genuine non-hatred. It may not happen instantly, but the transformation begins the moment we choose not to continue the cycle. Life would be much peaceful and calmer if people start to enter the field of compassion and understanding.
Sometimes, the most powerful response to hatred is not another weapon—but a mind that refuses to hate.