MY PERFECT TEACHER EXPLAINS KARMA

There are 3 types karma:

Karma that is repeatedly done becomes very powerful. Karma that is done in relation to a powerful object such as one’s parents, etc. also becomes very powerful. This is true of even small harmful or disrespectful actions on the one hand, or small actions of service and respect on the other. This is especially true of actions done in relation to the guru, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. These are very powerful objects. Consequently, one can experience in this life the suffering results of negative actions committed in relation to the guru, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, as well as experience in this life the favorable results of any small virtuous actions done in relation to the objects of refuge.

The four general outlines of karma are:

1) Karma is definite. This means that having committed an action, one will definitely experience the appropriate result according to the kind of action done: virtuous actions bring positive results and non-virtuous actions bring suffering results.

2) Karma is expandable. This means that once karma is created, its results will be experienced in many, many future lifetimes. Thus, the suffering result of a non-virtuous action will be experienced many times, not only in this life but in hundreds or even thousands of lifetimes to come. It is said by Nagarjuna - the great pandit who is like a second Buddha and who propagated the Mahayana teachings, especially those on emptiness - that if one cheats one sentient being, then the result will be that one will be cheated for a thousand lifetimes by others. This is from Nagarjuna’s text Letter to a King. One shouldn’t be careless even in doing one small negative karma thinking this wont hurt me.

It is mentioned by Buddha in the sutra Dul lung, one small fire spark can burn piles of hay mountains high. Same, one shouldn’t think one small virtuous will not benefit me. Like the example, by collecting drops of water one a large bucket can be filled! Therefore one need to, by practicing remembrance and awareness, one should abandon even the smallest negative karma and practice even the smallest virtue.

3) Karma always has a cause. If one hasn’t created the karma, that is, if one has not done the action that is the cause, one can never experience the result of that.

4) Karma created is never lost. This means that once karma is created, it will not disappear of its own accord. If virtuous or non-virtuous karma is not interrupted, then it will never get lost. However, if karma is interrupted, then it can be destroyed. For example, by purifying a non-virtuous action, you can interrupt the potential to experience the suffering result. In order to interrupt negative karma, one must purify it through practices such as strong confession. If one has created negative karma such as the ten non-virtues or other negative actions, just living one’s life being scared, upset, and depressed, that alone is not a solution. The solution is to do something to purify the negative karma immediately. If negative karma has been created, then it can be purified.

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1. The source of all my good Is my kind lama, my Lord; Bless me first to see That taking myself to him In the proper way  Is the root of the path And grant me then To serve and follow him With all my strength And reverence

2. Bless me first to realize That the excellent life Of leisure I have found Just this once Is ever so hard to find And ever so valuable Grant me then To wish And never stop to wish That I can take Its essence night and day

3. My body And my life Are as fleeting as the bubbles In the sea froth of a wave Bless me then to recall The death that will  destroy me soon And help me find  sure knowledge That after I die The things I have done The white and the black And what these deeds bring me Will follow close behind as certain as my shadow

4. Grant me then    Ever to be careful     To stop the slightest Wrong, of the many wrongs we do,      And try to carry out instead each and every good of the many that we may.

KARMA

" The karma of the sentient kind Never just fades away, Even in hundreds Of millions of years. When the causes convene And the time is come, The consequences Can do nothing but flower."

Words spoken by Lord Buddha himself

" The way karma works Is beyond comprehensionOnly the All-Knowing Know it "

Shantideva

5. Bless me to perceive All that’s wrong With the seemingly good things Of this life. I can never get enough of them Yet they cannot be trusted. They are the door To every pain I have Grant me please To strive instead For the happiness of freedom. This cycle of life With its different realms By its very nature Is nothing but suffering. Consider the truth Of these words Then seek the freedom From this cycle Find a way to smash the enemy The afflictions of the mind.

6. Bless me that  These pure thoughtsWill lead me to be watchfulAnd to recall What I should be doing Grant me to give The greatest care.And to make the vows Of morality The essence of my practice This is the root of Buddha’s teaching.

7.  I have slipped and fallen Into the sea Of this suffering life Bless me to see That every living being Every one my own mother Has fallen in too. Grant me then To practice this highest Wish for enlightenment To take upon myself The task of freeing them all. "The wish for Buddhahood Is evergreen"

Shantideva’s classic for Bodhisattvas