The Fundamental Truth of the Laws of Karma and Cause and Effect

The Eternal Truth of the Universal Principle

The laws of karma and cause and effect are the very foundation of the Buddha’s teachings. They are much like a great, ancient tree; it must possess roots as solid and unyielding as stone before it can reach upward to flourish with stems, branches, blossoms, and fruit. Regardless of how many thousands of eons pass, how the sun and moon cycle, or how the universe shifts and changes, this truth remains constant. Whether we look within the worldly realm or across the vast reaches of the outer universe, these are unchanging facts and represent the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

If you wish to truly understand the origins and the trajectory of your life, you must begin your journey through the Buddha’s teachings. The essential entry point for this practice is to develop a deep and unwavering belief in several key principles:

• The absolute reality of the laws of karma and cause and effect.
• The existence of the six realms of rebirth.
• The reality of the ten directions of the Dharma Realm.

While these concepts may appear simple on the surface, they are, in truth, profoundly deep. If you merely skim the surface of the words, treating them like lines in a book to be memorised and recited, you will not grasp their essence. To approach the Buddha’s teachings in such a way is like the blind men trying to describe an elephant; no matter how much time you spend or how much effort you exert, you will only ever know a fragment of the truth. You will gain only a superficial understanding of the text, failing to receive the true benefits of the Dharma. Without this, it becomes nearly impossible to achieve the stages of faith, understanding, practice, and verification, let alone change your destiny or make the sincere vow to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Restoring Moral Foundations in Society

When we observe the chaos currently unfolding in many nations and societies across the globe, and when we witness the tragic decline of ethics and morality, we can see the root cause clearly. It is because people have lost the concept of the laws of karma and cause and effect. They have either forgotten or hold only a faint understanding of the importance of filial piety, the respect due to elders, and the proper order between parents and children. They have lost the ability to be grateful and content.

By disregarding or ignoring these fundamental teachings, society loses the power of moral influence that quietly transforms the human heart. These principles are the essential education required for a nation to enjoy long-term stability and for its people to live in harmony with the law. We must integrate these teachings into our basic educational curriculum. Only then can we prevent or alleviate the many problems plaguing our modern world, such as:

• The deep-seated anxiety and restlessness of the human heart.
• A pervasive sense of having no spiritual support or direction.
• The desperate, misguided search for fleeting excitement.
• The reliance on harmful substances and narcotics to escape reality.

The Responsibility of Leadership

Those who hold positions of leadership must possess a long-term vision if they are to truly benefit the people they serve. They must understand that the root of all change lies in working upon the heart. When children understand that the laws of karma and cause and effect are real and formidable, they will naturally refrain from committing evil deeds. When people truly comprehend the consequences of their actions, they will naturally begin to consider the needs of others.

They will cease to complain about their circumstances, stop wallowing in self-pity, and abandon selfish, self-serving behaviours. Instead, they will understand that by cultivating both blessings and wisdom, they can create a better life for themselves and others. Furthermore, those who understand the nature of karmic creditors and the phenomenon of spiritual attachment will know that they must strictly discipline their own thoughts, intentions, and the actions of their Body, Speech, and Mind.

A Gateway to Profound Wisdom

Buddhist education must be deeply embedded in the hearts of the people if we are to raise a healthy and virtuous next generation. Given the current state of social disorder, we must begin this work in small groups. We should gradually expand this influence into our local communities, our bodhimanda, our schools, and even our workplaces. We must strive to make this education so impactful that even those who do not initially believe in the Buddha’s teachings will be truly convinced by the results.

The depth of one's faith varies, but those who delve deeply into the Buddha’s teachings are the most capable of accepting the various trials and tests that life presents. To achieve this, we require the guidance of a great teacher to lead us step by step. We must learn to overcome our own evil thoughts and intentions as they arise. We must learn to skillfully regulate our minds, teach the Dharma effectively, and utilise the resources of the natural world to help save and deliver sentient beings. Only through this process can we achieve true personal transformation.

At present, due to special Causal Conditions and unique capabilities, Practitioner Su has opened the barriers of time and space. He has already conducted numerous rare and precious interviews with beings from the first to the twenty-eighth levels of the heavens, as well as with Arhats, Pratyekabuddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas of the Four Sacred Realms. He has also documented stories regarding the hells and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those who are connected by karmic affinity are welcome to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, request relevant materials, or read these accounts online. You will surely gain insights and harvests that differ greatly from anything you have known before.

Be warned: biased views, selfishness, and any words, actions, or thoughts that deviate from the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way are the very things that attract karmic creditors and attached spirits. All monastics and the fourfold assembly must be extremely cautious!

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo