Life is not like a lit candle that melts as it burns. It is also not like the flame on the candle that disappears with the candle eventually. As we can say that today exists because of the events of yesterday, in the same way, we are here now, no, only because of our past and previous lives. If this is not true, then where did this life emanate from? How has this life come into existence? This is only because there is a connection between our previous life and this present life. For instance, if a boy at school feasible, if the existence of a boy previously at home did not exist in reality? Likewise, existence of our lives in this present world is evidence of our past and previous lives that present world is evidence of our past and previous lives that we came from somewhere. However, if there is not past or previous life, then why are some people very intelligent since their childhood whereas some are not? The answer is simple. It is because of our past karmic imprints. For example, when we were younger in our school days, we used to memorize many text verses. Nevertheless, when we think of them right now, we do not need to memorize then any more as they come to our mind spontaneously. This is only because of our earlier karmic imprints of the memorization of those text verses. In the same way, whatever knowledge that comes to our mind effortlessly, it is related and connected to our previous lives.
As said by the great sakya pandita:1
Knowledge that has not been learned in this life, we should try to learn and practice until our last breath occurs. Event if we have not become a great scholar in this life, certainly, we will become a great scholar in the next life.
Moreover, with our own present conditions, we can comprehend that the law of karma does exist and so do our past lives. For example, all of us are not the same in terms of pur physical and mental aspects. Each one of us behaves differently and possesses a different skin color and a different shape. Furthermore, some of us are affluent, whereas some are poor. Likewise, some of us are happy, while some of us are sad. Some of us are loved by parents, whereas some are orphans. So, all of these difference happen not by chance, but through our own previous karmic actions. If this is not so, then anything should have been produced from anything. One does not need one’s own specific causes to be produced or grown to fruition. For instance, an apple would not need an apple seed to be produced or grow as an apple. It could be produced from a banana seed. But this will not happen in conventional reality. In order to produce an apple, one needs, an apple seed. One cannot produce an apple from a banana seed. Therefore, everything happens not by chance, but happens only through its own specific causes and conditions. Thus, whatever we are or whatever actions we do, all of these are related and connected to our own previous karmic actions of our past lives.
As said by the Buddha shakyamuni:
To know what you have done in your previous lives, just see the present condition of this life, and to see what your will have in your next life, just like at the activities you are doing how.
In our society, some people will not appreciate when they are told those acrimonious facts of their lives occur from their karma of previous lives. However, these unwelcome facts are true. It is the reality. Maybe it is not easy for ordinary beings like us to accept this because we do not have much knowledge of the buddha’s teachings. So we may disagree and not believe them. However, in order to know what is happening on the fifth floor of a building, we have to go there physically to fine out. In the same way, in order to know what the law of karma is, we must first fulluy comprehend and practice the teachings of the lord Buddha. Then only, we will be able to understand, believe in and accept the law of karma.
As is stated in the saptatrimsathastagraha:
1 sakya pandita (1182-1251) was one of the five supreme masters and the sixth patriarch of the sakya hierarchy of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is taught by the Buddha that the agony of lower realms2 is so hard to bear because it is the fruit of wrong actions. Therefore, even at the cost of our life, never commit negative actions- this is the cost of our life, never commit negative actions-this is the practice of bodhisattvas.
Here, the question might arise in our mind what the outcome will be if we believe and agree in the law of karma and what will the result be if we do not believe in it? To answer this, let us take an example: if a student gets punished by his/ her teacher and if he/she knows why he/she is being punished, then he/she will understand and will try not to repeat the same mistake in the future. Also, he/she might become more careful than he/she was before.
On the other hand, if the student doesn’t know why her she is being punished, then he/she will get disturbed by that incident. But later, when he/she knows why he/she was punished, then he/she will not think much about it and he/she will not try to repeat the same mistake in the future. In the same way, if we believe and agree in the law of karma, then first, we will be able to believe that all the pain and suffering, we are experiencing are the results of our own previous karmic actions. As a result, our faith towards dharma will increase and we will not waste this precious human life. Furthermore, we will be able to abandon negative actions and make our lives worthy by cultivating positive qualities. Moreover, one who is sick, one who is poor and one who is ugly could also achieve peaceful and meaningful lives by applying and practicing this dharma teaching on the law of karma by the Buddha Sakyamuni.
On the other hand, if we do not believe that the suffering we experience is because of the negative actions of our previous lives, then neither will we be able to learn from them nor will we be able to follow the path of dharma. Furthermore, our faith towards dharma will be demolished and we will not be able to abandon negative actions3 and accumulate positive deeds.4 also, we will not be able to get rid of fear, anxiety, and suffering, therefore, it is very important to believe and understand the law of karma. In brief, we should always follow the righteous path by abandoning negative actions and accumulating positive deeds in order to have peaceful and meaningful lives.
As written in the Surataparipricchasutra:
Hot fruit is produced from hot seed, sweet fruit is produced from sweet seed, the wise comprehends the ripening of non virtue as hot and the ripening of virtue as sweet.
3 Negative actions are those which are committed through the power of hatred, desire, and ignorance.
4 Positive deeds are those which are cultivated through the power of non-hatred, non-desire, and non-ignorance
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