Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Those who seek to save countless suffering beings must first understand the nature of the suffering that beings endure. Within the cycle of being reincarnated and the weight of , whether a being can be saved and leave suffering behind depends entirely on the interplay between their collective karma and their individual karma.
Understanding the Web of Karma
In our vast environment, the karma that beings share and experience together is known as Collective Karma. This manifests in several ways:
Shared Calamities: When a group faces the same disaster or hardship, it is the result of their collective actions.
Shared Salvation: Conversely, when a group is guided toward the light, they are experiencing the benefits of shared positive karma.
Within this Collective Karma, there exists Individual Karma. This refers to the specific, personal karmic seeds that each of us carries. For instance, even within a single disaster, some individuals may survive while others suffer injury or loss. These differing outcomes are the result of one's unique Individual Karma.
The Power to Transform Your Destiny
While Collective Karma is often difficult to alter, Individual Karma can be transformed. It is common to see that those who diligently accumulate merit and virtue, and who practise goodness and generosity in their daily lives, are able to transform their individual karma even within the midst of a larger collective situation. By doing so, they can resolve the conflict, overcome obstacles, and protect their lives.
If a practitioner’s Ultimate Vow is greater than their karma, and they act upon that vow with sincerity, they can truly transform their karma. However, if one’s character remains unchanged, if one lacks perseverance, or if one’s vows are easily shaken, the path becomes difficult. When one’s practice is inconsistent, when one is lazy, or when one has vows but fails to put them into action, it is difficult to overcome the weight of past karma. In such cases, one will continue to follow the path dictated by past actions, and the sufferings of aging, sickness, and death will continue to manifest.
The Strength of Collective Cultivation
If the community of practitioners makes a collective vow to transform karma, we can influence the Collective Karma through our individual efforts. When we engage in group cultivation, such as chanting Namo Amituofo, reciting the Sutras, or participating in the , we pool our strength together. By dedicating our merits and turning our small, personal intentions toward the greater good, we can pray for the resolution of disasters and the mitigation of suffering for all.
The Path of the
Those who follow the Great Vehicle path, with a vast heart and profound vows, must focus on two primary goals:
Saving Countless Suffering Beings: This is the compassionate mission of the .
Achieving Rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss: This ensures that our spirit never dies and that we are free from the suffering of aging and sickness.
To achieve this, one must be Living the Vows: The Direct Way to in daily life, continuously accumulating merit and virtue, and striving for . When we speak of carrying karma to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, we are referring to the old karma we have already accumulated, not the new karma we create today. Therefore, you must uphold the , be cautious in your speech and actions, and refrain from creating new evil. By engaging in True Cultivation, being active and persistent, and using your vows to transform your karma, you will surely realise your true nature and find the path to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
