[UH Association of Buddhist Students] Class 4 (3/3): Causality & Karma
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Lapis Lazuli
Mar 10, 2008, 9:15:58 AM3/10/08
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Causality and Destiny
One reaps what one sows
Causality in its most comprehensive context includes causes, conditions, and effects. Different causes and conditions result in different effects. For example, children (same cause) raised either in the United States or Japan (different conditions) would have different personality traits (different effects). Similarly, the same orange seed (cause) planted in sunny and rainy California would produce a juicier orange (different effect) than one planted in the dry Rocky Mountains (different condition).
All people pursue happiness and avoid suffering. However, happiness and suffering are effects, and thus one has to work on the causes and conditions for the effects to occur. As it is said, “Bodhisattvas fear causes but sentient beings fear effects.” Mundane beings carelessly and boldly commit evil deeds and their fear sets in only when the negative consequences occur. Bodhisattvas, however, fear the wrong causes, which create unfavorable effects and are thus cautious in their thoughts, speech, and behavior.
Thoughts are causes: Negative thoughts bring misfortune in the future. On the other hand, positive thoughts promote mental peace and happiness, physical health, and material well-being. It is therefore to our benefit to let go of negative thoughts and cultivate positive ones.
A cause requires matching conditions for effects to occur. It is said, “With cause and conditions, things happen easily. With cause but not conditions, things do not occur. As proof, one needs only to observe the willow trees by the winter stream, which all turn green upon the arrival of the wind of spring.”
Conditions influence effects: In the pursuit of the Way, some people enjoy good conditions (for example, the accurate teaching of a good shifu) and others suffer from poor conditions (i.e., the inaccurate teachings of an unskilled shifu). The path of the former ends in happiness and the latter in misery.
To achieve success in academics, business, and spirituality, one needs to have merits, Samadhi, and good health. For example, A and B have similar education, ability, health, and financial conditions. They both open a company. A couple of years later, A’s business is booming while B is going into bankrupt. Why? The key reason may be that A has good merit because A believes in causality, has a compassionate mind, and is willing to help others. The people who work with A all share these virtues and have similar minds. They cooperate with one another and work “selflessly” for the benefit of the entire company.
However, B values only personal ability and performance, and does not believe in causality or doing good deeds to accumulate merits. The people B hires also have these ideas. As a result, individualism, combativeness, blaming of others, making excuses, using tricks or threats, sacrificing colleagues or company benefits, and so on prevail in the company and bankruptcy becomes inevitable.
Enlightened people advise us to believe in causality and practice good at all times. Then we will have great merits and success will come naturally and easily.
Causality is the law of the universe: The wise believe it. One smiles at a person to show good will (cause), and the person smiles in return. That is causality. The chronicle of the True Such Monastery in China reports the following story: Chan Master Tsechueh stayed overnight at a nearby village before going to the monastery for a long stay. He dreamed that the dharma guardian of the monastery told him that, in the past, he had shouldered only one load of earth; therefore, he could have only one meal of rice porridge at the monastery. After his arrival the next afternoon, the monastery did indeed offer rice porridge for supper and he ate it. During the night, some newcomers in his dormitory quarreled and the monastery expelled all the new people who stayed in the dormitory, including him. He was amazed that the dream had come true.
Ten years later, a governor appointed him as abbot of the monastery. He thought that the previous dream was no longer valid as he would take his meals there every day. He stayed overnight at another nearby village, intending to climb the mountain to the monastery the next day. Suddenly, however, he passed away. This tale corresponds to the saying, “One drink or one peck comes with previous cause.”
“Past cause, present effect; and present cause, future effect.” Causality involves the past, the present, and the future. Seemingly unworthy people may enjoy wealth and power, while worthy people may suffer from poverty and inferior social status. The reason that unworthy people enjoy wealth and power is that the past seeds of good deeds and merits have ripened. On the other hand, the reason that good people suffer from poverty and social debasement is that the past seeds of negative deeds have ripened. However, the negative deeds of unworthy people performed in the present will cause them to suffer in the future and the meritorious deeds of worthy people performed in the present will cause them to enjoy happiness.
If we work on good causes and good conditions, the positive effects of worldly or supra-worldly success will come automatically, even if we have not sought them. On the contrary, the pursuit of success anchored in wrong causes and conditions (immoral ethics etc.) would be in vain.
If people were aware of the existence of causality, they would not commit evil deeds because they would understand that the bad effects will inevitably revert back to them. Laws, police, and other external supervision would not be necessary since citizens would automatically and naturally perform good deeds; and society would be peaceful and safe.
“Know the favor, appreciate the favor and reciprocate the favor.” Everything that sustains our survival is from others, such as our food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment. Thus, we owe favors to everyone. Constantly harboring this kind of appreciative and positive thinking, we create a bright and happy life.
If we go further and cultivate merits and wisdom, support Buddhism and monasteries, and benefit all sentient beings, we become Bodhisattvas immediately and do not have to wait until a subsequent life. If we know the true Mind and cultivate it accordingly, we are then on the path to Buddhahood.
It is important to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong. We must always focus on the good and avoid evil. We must be knowledgeable and always be introspective. It is necessary to practice diligently to calm, to purify, and to clarify the Mind. If we do these things, we will lead a life of the highest value.
If the Mind harbors only good thoughts, the mouth speaks only good words, and the body performs only good deeds, each moment lived will be a good moment and each day a good day. Life will be full of brightness and truly meaningful.
Karma and the Principle of Causality
To know what will happen to you in the future, simply observe what you are doing now.
Principle of Causality
The Buddha Dharma is the corpus of Buddha’s teachings. Dharma aims to help us see the world as it really is. The Principle of Causality is a basic teaching in Buddhism; it describes a fundamental aspect of nature. It states that every phenomenon comes into being due to various causes and conditions. When the right cause and conditions come together, the right result or phenomenon arises. However, when the conditions fall apart, things fall apart. This is the way of all life.
Science, in fact, is based on causality. Things do not happen by accident; there is a causal relationship between physical phenomena. The task of the scientist is to discover the correct causal relationships. Buddhist causality, however, is wider in scope. It deals with both mental and physical phenomena.
The scripture says, “To know what you’ve done in the past, observe what is happening to you in this life. To know what will happen in the future, observe what you are doing in this life.” This verse contains the key to understanding our fate. As with all phenomena, our fate also follows the Principle of Causality.
Whatever happens to us in this life is due to previous cause and conditions, due to actions we ourselves have performed. Whenever we perform certain actions, we create karma, which means our actions have some effects on the rest of the world. When the effects are beneficial, it is called good karma; when the effects are harmful, it is called bad karma. Actions lead to reactions. When we benefit others, we generate good karma and will receive blessings in the future. When we hurt others, we generate bad karma and will be hurt in the future. This is a natural law, the Law of Causality stated in the simplest way (its actual workings are much more complicated.)
If we understand this law, we will realize that we are responsible for our own fate. Therefore, we should not be resentful, or complain, or feel that life is unfair, or try to seek vengeance. We must accept what is happening. The sooner we can accept it, the less pain we incur.
However, acceptance does not mean that we are powerless, that life is deterministic. In fact, we can change our future at any moment. It just depends on what actions we take when things are happening to us. If we react in the usual, ignorant way, then our future will be very much like the present. This is samsara . If we are awakened to causality, and react differently—for example, acting with tolerance toward prejudice, acting with compassion toward hatred, acting with restraint toward craving—then we immediately begin to change our future. The story of how Mr. Liao Fan changed his fate in the Ming Dynasty is a good illustration.
If we live a life ignorant of causality, then our fate will be driven by circumstances and dependent on our habitual reactions. On the other hand, we can live a life awakened to causality, conscious of our own actions, never blaming others for what happens to us, understanding the right cause and conditions to achieving our goals, and acting in an enlightened manner. Then we begin to build a brighter future.
Specific Causal Relations
Many people wonder about how this world came to be, and why we are who we are. Many wonder why some people are born rich, some are born poor, some have good fortune, and some do not. How does one become rich? Certainly you need to work hard. But there is more. Buddhism teaches that giving is what leads to prosperity. When you give, you will receive a hundredfold in return. Stinginess or taking from others leads to poverty. How does one have good health? Certainly one needs to eat right. But there is more. Buddhism teaches that protecting life will result in long life and good health. On the other hand, killing and hurting other sentient beings will lead to poor health and short lifespan. How does one obtain wisdom? Buddhism teaches that by studying the sutras, practicing mindfulness, and not intoxicating oneself, one obtains wisdom. In fact Buddhist morality, as exemplified in the Five Precepts (no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxication), is based on karma and causality. Actions such as killing and stealing bring suffering to others, so they are bad karmas, and will eventually bring suffering back to the doer. The precepts are there to protect us and ensure our well-being.
--
Posted By Lapis Lazuli to UH Association of Buddhist Students at 3/10/2008 08:05:00 AM
One reaps what one sows
Causality in its most comprehensive context includes causes, conditions, and effects. Different causes and conditions result in different effects. For example, children (same cause) raised either in the United States or Japan (different conditions) would have different personality traits (different effects). Similarly, the same orange seed (cause) planted in sunny and rainy California would produce a juicier orange (different effect) than one planted in the dry Rocky Mountains (different condition).
All people pursue happiness and avoid suffering. However, happiness and suffering are effects, and thus one has to work on the causes and conditions for the effects to occur. As it is said, “Bodhisattvas fear causes but sentient beings fear effects.” Mundane beings carelessly and boldly commit evil deeds and their fear sets in only when the negative consequences occur. Bodhisattvas, however, fear the wrong causes, which create unfavorable effects and are thus cautious in their thoughts, speech, and behavior.
Thoughts are causes: Negative thoughts bring misfortune in the future. On the other hand, positive thoughts promote mental peace and happiness, physical health, and material well-being. It is therefore to our benefit to let go of negative thoughts and cultivate positive ones.
A cause requires matching conditions for effects to occur. It is said, “With cause and conditions, things happen easily. With cause but not conditions, things do not occur. As proof, one needs only to observe the willow trees by the winter stream, which all turn green upon the arrival of the wind of spring.”
Conditions influence effects: In the pursuit of the Way, some people enjoy good conditions (for example, the accurate teaching of a good shifu) and others suffer from poor conditions (i.e., the inaccurate teachings of an unskilled shifu). The path of the former ends in happiness and the latter in misery.
To achieve success in academics, business, and spirituality, one needs to have merits, Samadhi, and good health. For example, A and B have similar education, ability, health, and financial conditions. They both open a company. A couple of years later, A’s business is booming while B is going into bankrupt. Why? The key reason may be that A has good merit because A believes in causality, has a compassionate mind, and is willing to help others. The people who work with A all share these virtues and have similar minds. They cooperate with one another and work “selflessly” for the benefit of the entire company.
However, B values only personal ability and performance, and does not believe in causality or doing good deeds to accumulate merits. The people B hires also have these ideas. As a result, individualism, combativeness, blaming of others, making excuses, using tricks or threats, sacrificing colleagues or company benefits, and so on prevail in the company and bankruptcy becomes inevitable.
Enlightened people advise us to believe in causality and practice good at all times. Then we will have great merits and success will come naturally and easily.
Causality is the law of the universe: The wise believe it. One smiles at a person to show good will (cause), and the person smiles in return. That is causality. The chronicle of the True Such Monastery in China reports the following story: Chan Master Tsechueh stayed overnight at a nearby village before going to the monastery for a long stay. He dreamed that the dharma guardian of the monastery told him that, in the past, he had shouldered only one load of earth; therefore, he could have only one meal of rice porridge at the monastery. After his arrival the next afternoon, the monastery did indeed offer rice porridge for supper and he ate it. During the night, some newcomers in his dormitory quarreled and the monastery expelled all the new people who stayed in the dormitory, including him. He was amazed that the dream had come true.
Ten years later, a governor appointed him as abbot of the monastery. He thought that the previous dream was no longer valid as he would take his meals there every day. He stayed overnight at another nearby village, intending to climb the mountain to the monastery the next day. Suddenly, however, he passed away. This tale corresponds to the saying, “One drink or one peck comes with previous cause.”
“Past cause, present effect; and present cause, future effect.” Causality involves the past, the present, and the future. Seemingly unworthy people may enjoy wealth and power, while worthy people may suffer from poverty and inferior social status. The reason that unworthy people enjoy wealth and power is that the past seeds of good deeds and merits have ripened. On the other hand, the reason that good people suffer from poverty and social debasement is that the past seeds of negative deeds have ripened. However, the negative deeds of unworthy people performed in the present will cause them to suffer in the future and the meritorious deeds of worthy people performed in the present will cause them to enjoy happiness.
If we work on good causes and good conditions, the positive effects of worldly or supra-worldly success will come automatically, even if we have not sought them. On the contrary, the pursuit of success anchored in wrong causes and conditions (immoral ethics etc.) would be in vain.
If people were aware of the existence of causality, they would not commit evil deeds because they would understand that the bad effects will inevitably revert back to them. Laws, police, and other external supervision would not be necessary since citizens would automatically and naturally perform good deeds; and society would be peaceful and safe.
“Know the favor, appreciate the favor and reciprocate the favor.” Everything that sustains our survival is from others, such as our food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment. Thus, we owe favors to everyone. Constantly harboring this kind of appreciative and positive thinking, we create a bright and happy life.
If we go further and cultivate merits and wisdom, support Buddhism and monasteries, and benefit all sentient beings, we become Bodhisattvas immediately and do not have to wait until a subsequent life. If we know the true Mind and cultivate it accordingly, we are then on the path to Buddhahood.
It is important to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong. We must always focus on the good and avoid evil. We must be knowledgeable and always be introspective. It is necessary to practice diligently to calm, to purify, and to clarify the Mind. If we do these things, we will lead a life of the highest value.
If the Mind harbors only good thoughts, the mouth speaks only good words, and the body performs only good deeds, each moment lived will be a good moment and each day a good day. Life will be full of brightness and truly meaningful.
Karma and the Principle of Causality
To know what will happen to you in the future, simply observe what you are doing now.
Principle of Causality
The Buddha Dharma is the corpus of Buddha’s teachings. Dharma aims to help us see the world as it really is. The Principle of Causality is a basic teaching in Buddhism; it describes a fundamental aspect of nature. It states that every phenomenon comes into being due to various causes and conditions. When the right cause and conditions come together, the right result or phenomenon arises. However, when the conditions fall apart, things fall apart. This is the way of all life.
Science, in fact, is based on causality. Things do not happen by accident; there is a causal relationship between physical phenomena. The task of the scientist is to discover the correct causal relationships. Buddhist causality, however, is wider in scope. It deals with both mental and physical phenomena.
The scripture says, “To know what you’ve done in the past, observe what is happening to you in this life. To know what will happen in the future, observe what you are doing in this life.” This verse contains the key to understanding our fate. As with all phenomena, our fate also follows the Principle of Causality.
Whatever happens to us in this life is due to previous cause and conditions, due to actions we ourselves have performed. Whenever we perform certain actions, we create karma, which means our actions have some effects on the rest of the world. When the effects are beneficial, it is called good karma; when the effects are harmful, it is called bad karma. Actions lead to reactions. When we benefit others, we generate good karma and will receive blessings in the future. When we hurt others, we generate bad karma and will be hurt in the future. This is a natural law, the Law of Causality stated in the simplest way (its actual workings are much more complicated.)
If we understand this law, we will realize that we are responsible for our own fate. Therefore, we should not be resentful, or complain, or feel that life is unfair, or try to seek vengeance. We must accept what is happening. The sooner we can accept it, the less pain we incur.
However, acceptance does not mean that we are powerless, that life is deterministic. In fact, we can change our future at any moment. It just depends on what actions we take when things are happening to us. If we react in the usual, ignorant way, then our future will be very much like the present. This is samsara . If we are awakened to causality, and react differently—for example, acting with tolerance toward prejudice, acting with compassion toward hatred, acting with restraint toward craving—then we immediately begin to change our future. The story of how Mr. Liao Fan changed his fate in the Ming Dynasty is a good illustration.
If we live a life ignorant of causality, then our fate will be driven by circumstances and dependent on our habitual reactions. On the other hand, we can live a life awakened to causality, conscious of our own actions, never blaming others for what happens to us, understanding the right cause and conditions to achieving our goals, and acting in an enlightened manner. Then we begin to build a brighter future.
Specific Causal Relations
Many people wonder about how this world came to be, and why we are who we are. Many wonder why some people are born rich, some are born poor, some have good fortune, and some do not. How does one become rich? Certainly you need to work hard. But there is more. Buddhism teaches that giving is what leads to prosperity. When you give, you will receive a hundredfold in return. Stinginess or taking from others leads to poverty. How does one have good health? Certainly one needs to eat right. But there is more. Buddhism teaches that protecting life will result in long life and good health. On the other hand, killing and hurting other sentient beings will lead to poor health and short lifespan. How does one obtain wisdom? Buddhism teaches that by studying the sutras, practicing mindfulness, and not intoxicating oneself, one obtains wisdom. In fact Buddhist morality, as exemplified in the Five Precepts (no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxication), is based on karma and causality. Actions such as killing and stealing bring suffering to others, so they are bad karmas, and will eventually bring suffering back to the doer. The precepts are there to protect us and ensure our well-being.
“Karma” is a Sanskrit word meaning, action or deed. The Buddha said: “Monks, it is intention that I call karma. By intending, one creates karma through body, word, or thought.” Karmic consequences will revert back to the person who created the karma.
Excerpt from the Buddha Says Upasaka Precepts Sutra
Karma has four types:
1. Present Consequence: Karma created in a lifetime produces consequence in the same life.
2. Next Consequence: Karma created in a lifetime produces consequence in the next life.
3. After Consequence: Karma created in a lifetime produces consequence in a life after the next life.
4. No Consequence.
There are four kinds of karma:
1. Time Fixed - Consequence Not Fixed
2. Consequence Fixed - Time Not Fixed
3. Both Time and Consequence Fixed
4. Both Time and Consequence Not Fixed
“Time Fixed” means (the time of the karmic consequence is fixed) either during the present life, the next life, or a life after the next. “Both Time and Consequence Not Fixed” karma can be changed. “Consequence Fixed” karma will occur, but the karmic consequence may be changed to occur presently and be less severe. Why? It is due to the power of good thoughts and wisdom.
What makes “Consequence Fixed?” If one often commits a karmic cause without regret; is dedicated to doing it; feels happy and enjoys doing it; has vowed to do it; or is glad after doing it; the karma is “Consequence Fixed.” Other than these, all karma is “Consequence Not Fixed.”
If one believes that good and evil definitely produce karmic consequences, follows the precepts, and cultivates the body, the Mind, and wisdom, then one can change heavy karma into light, and light karma into ineffective.
If one meets the Blessing Field and Great Teacher(s), and practices the Way and goodness, severe karmic consequence that will occur in a future lifetime can be changed to occur in this lifetime, and the severity of suffering will be greatly diminished.
If the wise can follow the precepts and cultivate the body, the Mind, and wisdom, they can destroy or reduce extremely heavy karma. However, if a minor sin is committed, its karma is light at the beginning, but if allowed to continue, may change into heavy karma. It is because they do not follow the precepts or cultivate the body, the Mind, or wisdom that light karma becomes heavy.
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Posted By Lapis Lazuli to UH Association of Buddhist Students at 3/10/2008 08:05:00 AM
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