Do Not Commit Evil, Even If It Is Small

Words of Namo Amituofo

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

September 17, 2023

The Source of Human Suffering

The suffering that permeates the human world exists because people, who often consider themselves the most intelligent of all beings, allow their hearts to be clouded by greed and delusion. For the sake of personal gain or temporary convenience, they give rise to evil thoughts and commit evil deeds. Many people make the mistake of thinking that because an act of evil is small, it does not matter. They believe that if they commit these minor transgressions in secret, no one will ever know. However, you must remember that the laws of karma and cause and effect are absolute and unchanging. If you ignore these laws and choose to act with malice, even if the evil seems minor, the resulting suffering you will eventually endure is very real.

The Inevitability of Karmic Consequences

The cycle of suffering in this world continues because of this persistent mindset. Small evils are committed repeatedly, and consequently, the bitter fruits of these actions never cease to ripen. Most people do not understand that the causes they create today will inevitably manifest as results in the future. The bitter fruits you experience are simply the harvest of the negative causes you have sown. When you allow your mind to be governed by such ignorance, you are essentially inviting future hardship upon yourself.

The Three Doors of Transgression

Consider how easily we fall into error through our own actions. Often, because of a moment of haste or a lack of mindfulness, we fail to restrain ourselves and create heavy karmic burdens through our speech, our thoughts, and our physical actions:

• Transgressions of Speech:
• These include lying, divisive speech, harsh language, and frivolous chatter.Transgressions of the Mind:
• These arise from greed, anger, and delusion, which poison our inner clarity.Transgressions of the Body: These include the acts of killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.

The moment a thought arises, your consciousness manifests and records it. This record is precise and without error. Everything originates from your own mouth, your own thoughts, and your own body. When these conditions are ripe, the retribution will manifest upon your own person. This is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, operating naturally throughout the universe. Therefore, I urge all beings: do not commit evil, even if it is small.

The Path of Repentance and Transformation

If you know that your actions are improper, you must change immediately. Do not delay. If you realise you have committed a transgression, you must act with boldness and determination to correct your path. You must engage in sincere repenting, and you must be vigilant so that you do not repeat the same mistakes. Only through such resolve can you halt the cycle of negative retribution and bitter fruits. Walking through this world requires you to be cautious at every step, for even a moment of carelessness can lead to the creation of a negative cause.

The Wisdom of the Bodhisattva

There is a saying: Bodhisattvas fear the cause, while ordinary beings fear the result. This is because ordinary beings do not understand the laws of karma and cause and effect, and they fail to see the true reality of the world. Now that you know the truth, do not indulge yourself any longer. Even if you are currently finding it difficult to take control of your life because of the karma you have created in the past—which may have attracted karmic creditors, spiritual attachments, and demon crowds—you must still strive to dissolve karma and eliminate your sins.

As long as you still possess this human body and have a single breath remaining, you have the opportunity to resolve the conflict, change your direction, and break through to a higher level of practice. Continue your efforts until you reach the state of an awakened being. Namo Amituofo.