You do not have to wait until
only the next life to experience the results of karma created.
You can also experience the result in this life.
These 10 virtuous actions do not
only lead to the happiness of future lives.. This life is samsaric
happiness. If these 10 virtuous actions are done with bodhicitta,
the altruistic mind to benefit all sentient beings,. They become
the cause of the highest happiness which is Enlightenment.
There are 3 types karma:
- karma created
in this life which results are experienced in this life
- karma created
in this life which results are experienced in the next life
- karma created
in this life and which results are experienced after many lifetimes
Karma that is repeatedly done
becomes very powerful. Karma that is done in relation to
a powerful object such as ones 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 Nagarjunas
text Letter to a King. One shouldnt 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 shouldnt 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 hasnt 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 ones 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.