Karma – The Law of Cause and Effect
Teachings · Dharma basics
Karma
业 · 因果
Karma simply means action. Every action of body, speech and mind leaves a seed, and seeds ripen. Understanding this is the foundation of every other teaching.
The four rules of karma
Tap each one.
Karma is certain
业果决定
Happiness only ever comes from virtue; suffering only ever comes from non-virtue. A seed of rice never grows into a thorn bush.
Karma grows
业增长广大
A small seed becomes a huge tree. A small kindness, or a small cruelty, ripens into a result far larger than itself.
What you did not do, you will not meet
未作不得
No one can give you their karma, good or bad. You cannot be punished for what you did not do, nor rewarded for it.
What you did is never lost
已作不失
A seed may wait for years, even lifetimes, but it does not disappear on its own. It ripens, or it is purified.
Where karma is made: the ten actions
The ten non-virtues to abandon
- Body: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct
- Speech: lying, divisive talk, harsh words, idle chatter
- Mind: covetousness, ill will, wrong views
Their opposites to practise
- Protecting life, generosity, faithfulness
- Truth, reconciling, gentle speech, meaningful speech
- Contentment, loving-kindness, right view
Why pujas and offerings work
Two things change the harvest. Merit plants new good seeds: lamps, offerings, generosity, prayers, dedicated to others. Purification weakens the bad seeds before they ripen, through regret, reliance on the Three Jewels, the remedy of virtuous action, and the resolve not to repeat. A puja gathers both at once, which is why we dedicate it by name.
- Each night, recall one good action and rejoice in it. That strengthens the seed.
- Recall one harmful one, feel honest regret, and decide not to repeat it. That weakens the seed.
- Dedicate: may whatever good I did today benefit all beings.