BUDDHIST THEORY: Karma 2

In order to create less suffering in our future, both in the current and further lives, we need to learn how karma works on the actions we make. If we can learn to see that our wrongdoings lead to similar outcomes in our future, we will learn to stop doing wrong. If we can learn to see that our good deeds lead to similar outcomes in our future, we will learn to continue to act well. If the seeds we currently sow grow slowly and are set to flower until a future life, we may think that they will not grow at all. Sometimes the results come about quickly, making it easier to understand the workings of the karmic law.

Karma can affect just ourselves, or the world as a whole. If we ignore the workings of karma, act selfishly, and mistreat other beings, our actions spread away from us and interrelate with others. Likewise, if we act positively, with compassion and love, these actions also spread across the universe. In this manner, taking responsibility for our own deeds can affect the entire planet.

Sometimes we can see karma working in other people. Those who do good deeds may have good or bad situations to live through, but will generally live with a greater peace and happiness within themselves, whatever their external condition. People who commit wrong deeds may have good or bad life situations likewise; however, these people tend to have inner confusion and misery instead of contentment.

Our karma can be created from our thoughts and speech as well as our actions. If we fill our mind with anger, hatred, greed, and other negative thoughts, we tend to speak and act based on these emotions. We may snap crossly at a child we love simply because we have allowed our mind to fill with fury. We might snatch the last cake from the plate at a party, knowing someone else has their eye on it too, because we have allowed greed to persuade us we have a right to that treat. The after-effects of the deeds done are clouded by the emotions and thoughts running within us. It is harder to see why we are suffering.

On the positive side, if we fill our mind with natural thought, compassion, and love, then our speech and actions generally stem from these emotions. We might smile at a stranger or say 'good morning' as we pass on the street, because inside we are thinking that they look a little worn or forlorn. We may notice the look in the eye of the bird sitting on our fence, and recognize his starving need for a few crumbs, which we could then offer. Doing these good deeds then creates positive after-effects for us. We do not just feel good because we have done good, we experience goodness coming into our future life.