Cause and effect (part 10)

Q&A

A Which of the following statements are incorrect ?

1) why we unconsciously generate so much negative or neutral karma in one day is that we do not understand the law of cause and effect, or if we understand it, we do not respect it sufficiently.

2) Like planting seeds without the right conditions, the karmic seeds will grow anyway, for instance like seeds if they are planted in the depths of winter, still nothing that can stop them from growing.

3) Karmic seeds that are not planted will still generate karmic results .

4) Cause and effect, reflects in the actions of our body, speech, and mind

5) If we adopt a strong faith in emptiness, we will understand that emptiness is not separate from cause and effect. The ultimate truth of cause and effect is emptiness.

6) Whatever seeds are planted, exactly that plant will grow. This also applies to karma, whatever karmic seeds that are planted, exactly that karma will ripen. For instance if Peter plants pumpkin seeds pumpkins will grow.

7) In terms of cause and effect being saved miraculously from a natural disaster isn’t a miracle, rather it is due to one’s own karma.

8) The practice of all the bodhisattvas is never to commit a harmful act, for the Sage himself has taught how negative actions will ripen into the manifold miseries of the lower realms, so difficult to endure.

9) One’s karma can be transferred to somebody else.

10) Taking precepts has additional power in transforming karma

11) If an action appears to be negative, it must be negative.

12) What we are thinking, speaking, and doing will determine the destination of our next life, in which the same causes will bring about the same results

13) Stopping the 10 non virtuous actions are there to control our freedom

14) You can run but you can’t hide, there is nowhere that karma cannot find you.

15) If at the time when you commit non-virtuous deeds, if you do not feel pain at the time, those deeds will not result in negative karma in the future.

16) If we can’t help, then at least do not harm sentient beings.

17) Inconsequential actions won’t result in positive or negative consequences, but they will waste our precious human life

18) When we encounter suffering, understand that this is the consequence of our past wrongdoings.

19) Practice good deeds continuously, thereby forming habits which establish a stable character in doing good deeds.

20) To determine the nature of karma, it is necessary to look at our motivation and intention.

21) A spark of merit is greater than a mountain of effort

B) Food for thought

My mother used to hide her keys and then accuse everyone else of moving them when she couldn’t find them.
Can you think of occasions where you have blamed others for your the unfortunate situation you have created for yourself ?

Homework

Observe your thoughts in all your activities, washing the dishes, on your way to work etc

1) am I aware / mind(ful) of the workings of my mind

2) are the mental activities, stories positive or negative, selfish or unselfish ?

This chapter is part of: Introduction Course - Part 1: Renunciation