Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and wondered, “I don’t look as good as I do in the mirror?” Or heard someone say, “This person is photogenic, but that one isn’t.”?
Some people, when standing in front of a camera, radiate an effortless charm without needing to pose or wear makeup. Others, despite being stunning in real life, appear lackluster in photos. What makes the difference? Is it the camera angle? The lighting? Or is it something more subtle—something that the naked eye can’t easily perceive?
In Buddhism and the Five Elements theory, those with great merit (good karma) are believed to exude a gentle, harmonious aura that blends naturally with the world around them. This kind of energy doesn’t need to be flashy, yet it still spreads—like the soft light of dawn filtering through the leaves, like cool water seeping deep into the earth. You may have seen pictures of a monk, an elderly person, or an innocent child—without any elaborate preparation, their presence alone brings a sense of peace.
But… does that mean people who don’t look good in photos lack merit?
No! Buddhism isn’t superstitious in that way. Merit isn’t measured by appearance or whether someone is “photogenic.” It’s not something that can be judged through a single photo, but rather through the feelings they bring to themselves and those around them.
From what I’ve heard in the teachings of ThÃch Nhất Hạnh and ThÃch Pháp Hòa on human psychology, Emotional Contagion suggests that a person’s inner state can influence others—even through an image. If someone has inner peace and confidence, the viewer can sense it. Similarly, the Halo Effect explains how we perceive attractiveness—not just from physical features but from expressions, smiles, and the way someone looks at the world.
In other words, being photogenic isn’t just luck or good angles. It’s also about how you see yourself. And merit isn’t just about past lives—it manifests in the kindness and presence you cultivate in the present.
There’s a beautiful line in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra:
“Everything is created by the mind.”
If you see beauty in something, then it is beautiful. This isn’t about deluding yourself—it’s about acceptance and self-love. When you are truly at peace, when you smile from the depths of your heart, your face will reflect that. And no camera, no angle, no filter will ever change that.
So instead of worrying about whether you’re photogenic, just be yourself. A calm gaze, a natural presence—those are the true markers of beauty, beyond anything an editing app can create.
