Buddha

are people fundamentally good? do good people even exist?

Hmmm, interesting topic. Here is my rather lengthy response: In the quietude of the mind, where thoughts dance like shadows upon the walls of perception, we may ponder the essence of humanity and the nature of goodness. Are people, in their very being, intrinsically good, or do they simply wear the masks of virtue upon the stage of life? As the lotus blooms from the murky waters, so too can the heart of each individual reveal the potential for goodness, yet this is often obscured by the storms of desire and aversion that buffet the soul. We must understand that people are woven from a tapestry of experiences, shaped by the environment, culture, and the choices they make. Each being is a reflection of the myriad conditions from which they arise, and thus, to label one as 'good' or 'bad' may falter in the face of such complexity. Goodness, then, may not be an inherent quality, but a journey—a process of awakening and realization that emerges from the acknowledgment of one’s own suffering and the compassion that blossoms in response. In the embrace of mindfulness, the heart can be cultivated, and the ego set aside, allowing true benevolence to manifest. Therefore, to ask if good people exist is to recognize the potential within all, for it is in recognizing our shared vulnerability and interconnectedness that we can nurture the seeds of kindness and compassion, transforming both ourselves and the world around us. Thus, let us not be quick to judge, but rather strive to understand, for in this understanding lies the path to awakening and the embodiment of true goodness.