The Immutable Truth of Karma and Cause and Effect

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

The laws of karma and cause and effect are absolute and certain. They serve as the fundamental foundation of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way that govern all existence. Whether in this world or in other realms, and regardless of how many aeons have passed, these laws remain constant and ever-present.

The Blindness of the Present

Why is it that so many people today refuse to believe in the laws of karma and cause and effect, or even go so far as to slander them? This occurs because they are unable to perceive the past and lack faith in the future. They are trapped in the narrow perspective of believing that only this current life exists. Consequently, the profound truth of reality remains hidden from them, and they remain shrouded in ignorance. However, the truth of reality does not change or pause simply because one chooses not to believe in it. It continues to operate precisely according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, and the laws of karma and cause and effect.

The Eternal Journey of the Spirit

Those who do not believe in these truths fail to realise that their spirits are neither born nor destroyed. We have already traversed through countless aeons and infinite lifetimes. The causes we have created throughout this long journey do not simply vanish. Instead, they remain stored within us, waiting for the right conditions to mature. When the time is right, the results will manifest in a future life, at a specific moment, or in the very present. This is why we encounter various people, events, objects, and environments in our lives. These experiences are simply the manifestation of the fruits of our past actions.

The Wisdom of the Bodhisattva

A true practitioner of the Buddha's path must clearly understand and deeply believe in the laws of karma and cause and effect. There is a saying: Bodhisattvas fear the cause, while ordinary beings fear the fruit. The manifestation of karma arises from the heart, and the heart projects the myriad phenomena of the world through the lens of cause and effect. To guide your practice, remember these fundamental truths:

• Creating good causes leads to the fruition of goodness.
• Creating negative causes leads to the fruition of evil consequences.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that this principle is mundane or unimportant, leading you to act recklessly. Even small acts of negativity—such as harsh speech, an unkind heart, or improper conduct—are negative causes. Even the most subtle evil thought acts as a negative cause that will eventually bear fruit.

The Path to Purity

Every negative consequence serves to pollute the heart and diminish its purity. These impurities create obstacles that cloud the clarity of the Six Roots, making it difficult for you to advance on your spiritual path. It becomes even harder to reach the state of an awakened being. If you are a practitioner who truly wishes to rediscover your original, true self, you must be exceptionally diligent in your speech and cautious in your actions. You must guard your heart against even the smallest trace of impurity.

Namo Amituofo