Muditha as antidote for jealousy

Envy is a coal that comes hissing hot from hell. - Philip James Bailey

Envy and jealousy are close relatives. When you envy, you wish you had something another person has. For instance, a plain Jane might wish she had the beauty of Cleopatra or Venus. In a way, there is nothing wrong when you envy somebody. However, jealousy is something unpleasant. A jealous person actually hates the other person who has achieved success or is more good looking.

The danger is that when you are jealous of another person, you tend to lose your ability to reason. Such a person spends a lot of time and energy to give vent to his anger born out of jealousy. Violence is the ultimate result when all reason ends.

Very often, a jilted lover or a frustrated husband may cause physical harm to the other person when he suspects that his partner pays attention to a third party. He will not think rationally that every person has the right to choose their partners. If a person loves another person truly, then there is no room for jealousy. What must be remembered is that no one owns anyone. We have no moral right to possess or own another person however much we love that person. Human beings are not objects to be owned. Friendship, love or marriage should be based on a firm foundation of mutual trust.

Socrates: The great Greek philosopher

Jealousy is a devastating force that debilitates one's whole life. Very often, some of us cannot bear to see or hear the success stories of others. We tend to rejoice over their failures rather than appreciating their achievements. Instead of praising and congratulating those who pass examinations and get promotions, some of us try to ruin their future. On the other hand, we find it easy to rejoice over the success of our friends and relations, but not when we meet our adversaries who do well in life. It is a serious human weakness throughout history that most of us delight in creating every possible obstacle so as to ruin our adversaries.

Virtuous people

A quick glance at history would reveal that jealousy has led people to poison, crucify and assassinate virtuous people. For instance, the great Greek philosopher Socrates was poisoned. Jesus Christ, the redeemer of mankind, was crucified. The crusader of non-violence Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead. The list of such great people who had to pay the price of jealousy on the part of other people can be endless. Even in the future, jealousy will lead to such unfortunate incidents.

Man has found remedies for most of his physical and mental illnesses. According to Gauthama Buddha (624 - 544 BC), jealousy (Issa) is a vice that poisons one's system, leading to unhealthy rivalries and dangerous competitions. The most effective remedy recommended by the Buddha for jealousy is Muditha or “Appreciative joy.” Muditha is not mere sympathy, but sympathetic or appreciative joy which tends to destroy jealousy, its direct enemy. Although Muditha is more concerned with oneself, it helps others as well. One who practises Muditha will not try to hinder the progress and welfare of others.

Those who feel jealous of others are simply harming themselves. The effect of jealousy will not be felt by the other person. Psychological research shows that when we wish harm to another person, nothing happens to him. Paradoxically, such ill-feelings are sure to boomerang on us.

Buddhism

However much we try to curb our jealousy, there are occasions when we tend to be jealous of others quite unwittingly. According to Buddhism, this can be avoided by practising Muditha throughout our life. If you can rise above petty jealousies, you will have less problems in life. What is more, you can rank yourself among the enlightened people of the world.

In today's context, jealousy can be seen among the world's super powers. They do not allow other countries to acquire nuclear status. Nor do they want small nations to prosper. On a lesser scale, even business establishments have their petty jealousies. No wonder, unsuccessful students are jealous of those who pass examinations and do well in life. Sometimes, jealousy has led to rivalry among siblings too.

Today, more than any other time in history, there is a greater need for individuals, organisations and even countries to practise Muditha if they wish to be happy. Muditha can replace witchcraft, widely thought to be the only remedy for jealousy by some Western nations.

Although Francis Bacon said only deformed people, eunuchs, old men and bastards are capable of jealousy, today the list can be endless. However, if people have virtue in them, they will never feel jealous of others.