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AI summary
The concept of karma is a fundamental principle in Buddhism. Indeed, it forms the very core of Buddhist teachings. Without understanding karma, it’s nearly impossible to grasp the true meaning of Buddhism. The law of karma was not created by the Buddha; rather, it is an objective law of existence that the Buddha revealed. As Master Yin Guang said, karma applies to all beings, from enlightened Buddhas to those in lower realms.
The Universality of Karma
Even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are not beyond the reach of karma. Therefore, ordinary beings are bound by its constraints, whether they believe it or not. Understanding karma, hence, is a crucial step in studying Buddhism.
The Law of Karma and Its Importance
Karma, also known as ye, means action or activity. It includes all physical and mental activities. This includes actions of body, speech, and mind. These actions can be wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral. Invisible karma holds immense power, governing our lives. Karma is the cause; conditions are the factors. When causes and conditions meet, effects and retributions arise. A Buddhist verse says karma does not disappear, and when the right conditions arise, retribution occurs.
How Karma Works
Every action, word, or thought creates karma. Good causes lead to good results, and bad causes lead to bad results. Specifically, the type of action determines the outcome. This is known as the law of karma. Furthermore, cause and effect are closely linked to the cycle of birth and death, with karma acting like a seed that is stored in the eighth consciousness. This consciousness carries past karma into this life and creates future karma. Thus, this leads to a continuous cycle of rebirth.
The Impact of Karma on Life
The joys and sufferings of life are all influenced by karmic forces. Therefore, the Buddha taught, “one reaps what one sows.” The Yogacarabhumi-sastra states, "What has been done will not be lost, and what has not been done will not be gained.” This means that every cause has a corresponding effect. Where do we go after death? It is determined by karmic forces. Therefore, our actions lead to either the six realms of existence or beyond.
Good and Bad Actions
Benefiting others is considered good, and harming others is bad. Harming others ultimately harms oneself. Buddhist scriptures categorize actions into ten wholesome and ten unwholesome actions. These include physical, verbal, and mental actions.
The Ten Wholesome and Unwholesome Actions
The ten unwholesome actions include killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, idle chatter, greed, anger, and delusion. Conversely, the ten wholesome actions are refraining from these negative actions. Each of these actions can be upper, middle, or lower degrees. The degree of these actions affects one’s rebirth in different realms. Those who do good are born in heaven, human, or asura realms, while those who do bad are born in hell, ghost, or animal realms. The buddhist belief in karma is an objective reality, and it was revealed by the Buddha to educate us. Even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are bound by karma.
The Accuracy of Karma
Master Xingyun states, "Karma is more accurate than a computer." Furthermore, the ancients said, "Heaven is three feet above your head." Our minds are interconnected with all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Hence, our actions and thoughts are known. In conclusion, understanding karma will lead to peace, while ignoring it leads to chaos.
Karma Across Three Lifetimes
The Nirvana Sutra states that good and bad retributions follow like a shadow. The heart of buddhist teaching revolves around the law of karma which operates across three lifetimes. Some may doubt karma, because they see good people suffering and bad people prospering. However, this is because they do not understand how karma works across lifetimes. A Buddhist verse states, “If you want to know the causes of your past lives, look at the effects you are experiencing in this life; if you want to know the effects of your future lives, look at the causes you are creating in this life."
Cause and Effect
Our current lives are the result of past actions. For example, illnesses may be due to killing in past lives. Also, our present actions create future outcomes. The conditions created long ago will eventually be experienced when the time is right. Therefore, we cannot deny past and future lives. Modern science supports the idea that every phenomenon has a cause.
Types of Karmic Retribution
Karmic retribution can be immediate, in the next life, or in future lives. Immediate retribution happens within this lifetime. Retribution in the next life means that actions will manifest in the following life. Future retributions occur later in future lives. The retributions people experience are due to past karma. Bad people experiencing good fortune have deep good roots, while good people experiencing bad fortune have deep unwholesome roots. In short, karma always has consequences.
Transforming Karma
While the law of karma is definite, it is not inflexible. Our present experiences are results of past actions, and also affect future retributions. By changing our actions, we can change the results. Conditions can be altered to change outcomes. For example, while we can't change a seed, we can control the conditions for it to grow. Therefore, even a little bit of good karma can overcome a lot of bad karma by removing conditions for bad karma to ripen.
The Role of Mind in Karma Transformation
Our destiny is not controlled by external forces. Instead, it is entirely the result of our actions. The mind is like a field where we plant good and bad seeds. Our mind creates and transforms karma. Huineng said, "All fields of merit are inseparable from our own mind." Thus, our appearance, environment, and destiny change with our minds.
The Power of Thought
“Everything is created by mind alone,” as mentioned in the Avatamsaka Sutra. The mind creates all karma, and it brings about all retributions. Moreover, ancient masters said good and bad are repaid, the only difference is when. Even Confucianism states that misfortunes are self-inflicted, demonstrating that good and bad karma originate in the mind.
Approaching Karma with Understanding
Many people rely on fortune-telling and prayer without cultivating their minds. Instead, we should follow the Buddha’s teachings, cultivate our minds, and plant good seeds. Therefore, we need to have deep faith in karma to establish right understanding. Master Hsu Yun said, "The two words 'karma and effect' encompass all of the Buddha’s teachings.” Without faith in karma, understanding Buddhism is impossible.
Acting According to the Law of Karma
Bodhisattvas are careful with their actions because they understand the causes and effects. However, ordinary people do not fear karma. As a result, they indulge in unwholesome actions, and they only become fearful when bad results appear. We should diligently practice according to the Buddha’s teachings. This includes repenting for past wrongdoings, correcting our faults, ceasing evil, doing good, practicing vegetarianism, and purifying our thoughts.
The Path to Transformation
By actively changing our actions, we can transform our karma. We can turn misfortune into blessings and ultimately attain enlightenment. Even if we have a good destiny, we should still be at peace. We should also practice taking refuge in the Three Jewels, uphold the Five Precepts, and cultivate compassion. Ultimately, we can transcend the cycle of rebirth and achieve Buddhahood.
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