Day 75 of 1461

“The craving of a man who is eager for gains increases; he is greatly elated when he earns; but if he meets with loss, he is depressed. The (lustful) cravings of such a man steadily grow.”

-Dhammapada, Verse 355

Significance

This verse from the Buddhist tradition teaches us about the emotional struggles that can come from wanting and holding on to money and material possessions too tightly. In Buddhism, it’s believed that things like money, clothes, cars, and houses can bring short-term happiness, but that happiness doesn’t last. When we become too attached to these things, our emotions begin to depend on them. So when we lose them—which can happen suddenly—we may feel sadness, anger, or even like we’ve lost part of ourselves. This is something many people experience today, especially during times of financial trouble or economic downturn.

Buddhism asks us to think about how much control we give to money and possessions in our lives. If we tie our self-worth to what we own, we’re giving away our peace of mind to things that can easily change or disappear. Instead, Buddhist teachings encourage us to enjoy what we have, but not let those things define us. Letting go doesn’t mean giving everything away—it means not allowing our happiness to rise or fall depending on our wealth or belongings.

In today’s world, where people often judge success by how much someone owns, it’s easy to feel pressure to keep chasing more. But true strength comes from knowing that who we are matters more than what we have. Even in times of loss, we can choose peace over fear, and kindness over worry. When we stay connected to our inner peace and practice mindfulness, we remember that our real value isn’t in what we own—it’s in how we live, love, and grow.

I am more than what I own.
My peace does not depend on money or possessions.
I release my need to hold tightly to what can be lost.
True strength lives in letting go, in staying grounded, and in finding peace within.
Everything I need to be whole already lives inside me.