Breaking Free: A Journey from Addiction to Transformation Through Buddhist Teachings

Many people around me used to struggle with harmful habits like smoking and drinking. Although they knew the damage these habits caused to their health and desperately wanted to quit, their attempts often failed despite trying various methods—forcing themselves with sheer willpower, using medication, or distracting themselves with snacks. In many cases, their cravings only worsened. It’s no wonder that people often say quitting smoking or drinking, especially smoking, is extremely difficult. Unfortunately, these habits not only harm the individual but also those around them, particularly children. They increase financial burdens, harm family health, and disrupt harmony at home.

I have personal experience with this struggle. My father was a heavy smoker, consuming about two packs of cigarettes daily, and he drank alcohol with nearly every meal, often to the point of intoxication. This took a toll on his health and placed a great burden on my mother, who had to shoulder much of the family’s responsibilities. Even when our family faced financial hardships, my father always prioritized his spending on cigarettes and alcohol.

Despite wanting to quit, he found it nearly impossible. I remember him making several determined efforts—once even throwing his cigarettes and matches into water, vowing to quit for good—but each attempt lasted less than a day. He even tried eating candy to distract himself during cravings, but the smoking habit persisted.

In my hometown, most men over 20 smoked, and many also drank alcohol. However, when the Venerable Master came to spread Buddhist teachings, many people, including my family, experienced profound changes. Within days of practicing Buddhism, my father quit drinking entirely, and many others who were long-time smokers found themselves quitting easily and unexpectedly.

Despite this, my father initially struggled to quit smoking. In August 1993, my father, my brother, and I, along with other practitioners, traveled to an ancient city for a grand Dharma assembly. On the way, we stopped by a relative’s house near the train station, where the relative gifted my father an expensive pack of cigarettes. At the time, such high-quality cigarettes were a luxury, and my father was thrilled, planning to enjoy them before quitting.

However, something extraordinary happened on the train. When my father lit his first cigarette, he immediately noticed something was wrong—the taste was bitter, his head felt heavy, and he experienced discomfort similar to a cold. He tried another puff, but the sensation remained unpleasant. To his astonishment, decades of smoking suddenly lost all appeal. The addiction he had carried for so long was gone. From that moment, he never smoked again.

This experience not only improved my father’s health significantly but also saved a considerable amount of money. What was once an enjoyable habit turned into something repulsive, as his body rejected the nicotine. The process seemed miraculous, as if his cells and blood were cleansed, and his nervous system was recalibrated.

It has been 20 years since that day, and my father has remained smoke-free. Reflecting on this transformation fills me with gratitude for the compassion of the Buddhas and the silent blessings of our Venerable Master. Over the years, I’ve noticed that whenever we set out for Dharma assemblies, our bodies begin to change even before we arrive. The benefits we’ve received are immeasurable, and the profound compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is beyond words.

by Hu