(Photo above courtesy of Universal Pictures)
Before you start reading… spoilers ahead.
“Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” Glinda begins “Wicked” with this essential question, as viewers are led into the story of her friendship with the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba. This friendship has moved the hearts of millions, showing us that good and evil are more intertwined than we think.
What does Buddhism say about good and evil? Well, Buddhism teaches that within each person exists many different conditions of life that can range from hell to Buddhahood. Simply put, people aren’t only good or bad, rather they can bring out either quality.
Buddhism describes evil as that which essentially harms self and others, and is rooted in egoism, causing us to think only about our personal interests. It comes from being unaware that the potential for Buddhahood exists within our lives, leading us to devalue ourselves and others.
In contrast, Buddhism describes good as that which benefits self and others. It is based on our enlightened state, which is expressed as the genuine desire to lead all people to absolute happiness, or enlightenment.
The principle of the “oneness of good and evil” in Buddhism teaches that all things possess the potential for good and evil. If evil is simply allowed to run its course, it remains evil. The “oneness of good and evil” is only expressed when evil functions to reveal good.
People are neither intrinsically good nor evil. Whether good or evil emerges from our lives depends on our life condition and intent.
People are neither intrinsically good nor evil. Whether good or evil emerges from our lives depends on our life condition and intent. Anger, for instance, can function as good when directed toward evil actions such as oppression, cruelty or violence. But if we lash out unfairly at others due to a bruised ego or pride, such anger functions as evil.
The important thing is what is in our hearts. This is played out beautifully as the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, which makes you wonder, Was Elphaba really evil?
The Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda offers guidance on how we can overcome evil that also exists within us:
If we perceive our inner evil but neglect efforts to conquer it, then our lives are instantaneously stained with evil. In that sense, a good person is someone who struggles against evil. It is by fighting the evil around us that we eradicate evil within our lives and so purify them. That is the path of human revolution.
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 3, p. 76
Nichiren Daishonin, the 13th-century Buddhist reformer, teaches that “the single word ‘belief’ is the sharp sword” that we can use to cut through fundamental ignorance. When we recognize fundamental ignorance and challenge it with faith—chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with determination, refusing to let difficulties defeat us—we elevate our life state and transform everything into the greatest good.
The point is, just as we see both good and evil in Elphaba and Glinda, the same is true for our own lives. In our case, by recognizing and constantly challenging the parts of us that disregard our endless potential and that of others, we become people who can turn any obstacle into the greatest good.
Regardless of how we feel right now, the first step is to chant and bring out all our courage and wisdom. Then, we help others do the same. In that way, we can let our Buddhahood shine and be people who are not Glinda or Elphaba but the very best version of ourselves.