Cohort 1, Session 3 · Karmic cause and effect

Karma is the accumulation of body, speech, and mind; cause and effect is the universe’s first law

Key insights

Karma is the accumulation of body, speech, and mind; cause and effect is the universe’s first law。You reap what you sow. You get melons from planting melon seeds and beans from planting bean seeds. Strive at the level of causes rather than clinging to the results.

2.1 What Is Karma?

Definition

"The words you say, the actions you take, and the things you do all create karma, and all of it accumulates."

Components of Karma

业力 = 身 + 口 + 意
      ↓    ↓    ↓
    行为  语言  念头

The Nature of Karma

Energy State：

"Karma is a state of energy; it is not something you can see."

Cumulative Effect：

• Every word spoken in the present moment
• Every thought
• Every action
• Will generate karma

2.2 The Law of Cause and Effect

The Law of Seeds

"You reap what you sow."

Simply put：

• Whatever cause you sow, you will get the corresponding result
• It is not that there will be no retribution; the time has not yet come
• The law of cause and effect is the universe's first law

The Three Elements of Cause and Effect

    因  +  缘  =  果
    ↓      ↓      ↓
  种子   条件   结果

2.3 The Importance of Conditions

The bridge between cause and effect

The key question：

"What is there between cause and effect? There are conditions."

Conditions for the seed

For a seed to blossom, it needs：

1. Soil → Environment
2. Air → Atmosphere
3. Water → Nourishment
4. Sunlight → Energy

An analogy：

"How does a seed blossom and bear fruit? What conditions must be met?"

The role of conditions

Explaining phenomena：

"Why does such a bad person reap such good results?"

Answer：

• The causes and conditions have not yet ripened
• The necessary conditions are not in place
• The time has not yet come

2.4 How can you change your destiny?

Change habitual tendencies

"What changes are a person's habitual tendencies and ingrained patterns."

Yuan Liaofan changes his destiny

Background：

• A fortune teller foretold Yuan Liaofan's destiny
• Meeting Chan Master Yungu
• Changing destiny through good deeds

Method：

"Chan Master Yungu asked Mr. Liaofan to begin by doing 3000 good deeds."

What to change：

• Habitual tendencies
• Ingrained patterns
• Greed
• Possessiveness

The path to changing destiny

觉察念头 → 行善积德 → 积累福报 → 改变因 → 改变果
    ↓          ↓          ↓          ↓          ↓
  知道       行动      积累功德    源头改变    结果改变

2.5 Bodhisattvas focus on causes; sentient beings focus on results

Core wisdom

"Bodhisattvas focus on causes; sentient beings focus on results."

Meaning

Applications

Focus your efforts on causes：

• Change habitual tendencies
• Be aware of your thoughts
• Do good deeds and cultivate virtue
• Guarding the mind (being mindful of your thoughts)

Do not become attached to the outcome：

• The outcome is already determined
• It is the manifestation of past causes
• Accept the present situation
• Change the future

2.6 Selflessness and Helping Others

Misconception

Incorrect understanding：

"Selflessness and helping others means completely disregarding yourself and then helping other people."

Correct understanding

True selflessness：

"Selflessness means having let go of attachment to the ego and no longer making distinctions."

Characteristics：

• No distinction between you and me
• Part of the universe
• Practice all good deeds
• A relationship of mutual flourishing

The relationship with Guigu

Not in conflict：

"Selflessness and helping others does not mean giving up the self, but rather having no sense of distinction."

Relationships：

• The Way of Heaven (inner cultivation) + Guigu (practical application) = completeness
• With the Way but no techniques, techniques can still be learned
• With techniques but no Way, one is limited to technique

2.7 Good Fortune and Virtue

The essence of good fortune

A points system：

"We are here in this life to earn points."

Ways to accumulate：

• The Ten Good Deeds
• Practice all good deeds
• Causes of all good deeds

The manifestation of virtue

Where does it manifest?：

• In terms of wealth
• In terms of relationships
• In terms of family legacy

Principle：

"A family that does good deeds will surely have blessings to spare."

Wealth disperses, people gather

Key insights：

"Wealth disperses, people gather; when virtue is not equal to one's position, loss is inevitable."

Example：

• Cao Dewang: Practicing Buddhism and doing charity
• Jack Ma: Studying the Tao Te Ching
• Li Ka-shing: Practicing Buddhism

Key quotes

• "You reap what you sow."
• "Bodhisattvas focus on causes; sentient beings focus on results."
• "Every thought and intention stirs the spirits in all directions."
• "Change your habits and dispositions."
• "Without the Way, technique can still be learned; without the Way, one is limited to technique."
• "A family that does good deeds will surely have blessings to spare."

Practical application

Karmic self-reflection

• ☐ What past cause led to my present circumstances?
• ☐ What causes are my current actions sowing?
• ☐ Can I change my habits and shape my future?
• ☐ Am I working on the causes rather than fixating on the results?
• ☐ Do I believe in cause and effect, and hold it in reverence?

Actions to change your fate

1. Awareness: Become aware of your actions, words, and thoughts
2. Shift your perspective: Turn negative thoughts into positive ones
3. Do good: Do one good deed every day
4. Cultivate virtue: Accumulate blessings and virtue
5. Let go of attachment: Don't fixate on results; focus on the causes

*"Believe in cause and effect and hold it in reverence. Work on the causes, and the results will naturally follow."*