Yin virtue refers to the hidden merits accumulated by ancestors or elders for their descendants. People with substantial yin virtue are likely to bring blessings to their offspring. However, some suggest avoiding individuals with heavy yin virtue. What are the reasons behind this? Below, we will explain the characteristics of people with abundant yin virtue and why it is advised to stay away from those with heavy yin virtue.
Why should we avoid people with heavy yin virtue? The primary reason is that such individuals often carry negative energy, which may bring misfortune or unlucky events to others. If one associates with them for a long time, their own yin energy may increase, making it easier to attract unclean entities and causing a decline in personal fortune. Characteristics of People with Substantial Yin Virtue: 1. Kind and Gentle Appearance: People with abundant yin virtue are usually kind-hearted. As the saying goes, “the face reflects the heart.” A person’s kindness is often manifested in a gentle and amiable appearance. One’s facial features can often reveal their personality. For instance, a cheerful person who laughs frequently tends to have a smiling face, while someone often depressed or worried may have a sorrowful expression. If one harbors resentment, hatred, or vengeful thoughts over time, their appearance may become fierce and intimidating. 2. Contentment with Few Desires: As the proverb says, “desire is insatiable.” Human desires—such as wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—are the root causes of suffering and. To fulfill these desires, people may commit various unwholesome deeds. The Chinese often emphasize that “contentment brings happiness.” Only those who are content can truly understand the value and meaning of life, free themselves from material desires, and rediscover their true selves. As the saying goes, “a person without greed possesses noble character.” If one can remain calm and composed, their moral character naturally improves, accumulating immeasurable virtuous roots and blessings. 3. Gentle Temperament: Buddhism often teaches that “anger burns the forest of merits.” This refers to the destructive nature of (anger and resentment). If a person has a bad temper or harbors, it becomes difficult to accumulate merits and virtues. Even if they perform many good deeds, frequent outbursts of anger can erase all previously accumulated merits, akin to a wildfire burning everything away, forcing them to start over. Therefore, those who accumulate virtues are generally gentle-tempered individuals without habitual anger. Such people possess good character and often encounter more opportunities. 4. Generosity and Broad-mindedness: People with substantial yin virtue are often generous and broad-minded, possessing a character that seeks to uphold justice and help others. They may practice frugality in their own lives but are generous towards others. When they see someone in difficulty, they often selflessly offer assistance, even going so far as to sell their house or land to help resolve urgent problems or save others from crises. The people they help may be complete strangers to them.Such individuals are not commonly found in society, yet they do exist. They are often mocked by others as “foolish.” In reality, they are not foolish; rather, they are people of great virtuous roots, who are destined for significant blessings in the future.
V. Protecting Life and Accumulating Virtue through Good Deeds The Five Basic Precepts of Buddhism are: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication. The precept against killing is listed first because the karmic retribution for taking life is extremely severe. This is because all sentient beings, like us, cherish their own lives profoundly. Without life, nothing remains. Therefore, recklessly taking life greatly depletes one’s own blessings. Those who possess hidden virtue will pay attention to protecting life and accumulating merit through good deeds.