In times when the world feels overwhelmed by conflict, division, and uncertainty, many people are searching for deeper answers about human consciousness and the true purpose of life. One thinker whose work has inspired millions to reflect on these questions is Gary Zukav, a writer and former physicist known for exploring the relationship between science, consciousness, and spiritual growth.
Zukav first gained recognition through his book The Dancing Wu Li Masters, which introduced complex ideas of modern physics to general readers. Later, his bestselling book The Seat of the Soul shifted the conversation toward a deeper exploration of human consciousness and spiritual evolution. In this work, Zukav proposes a powerful idea: humanity is undergoing a transformation from seeking external power to discovering authentic power—the power that arises from the soul.
His message can be summarized in three simple yet profound movements of the human spirit:
Humanity must move from fear to love
from control to compassion
from external power to inner wisdom
Although Zukav approached these ideas through the lens of psychology and consciousness, they resonate deeply with teachings that have existed for thousands of years within Buddhism.
In Buddhist teachings, the mind is the source of both suffering and liberation. According to Gautama Buddha, our thoughts, intentions, and actions shape our experience of the world. This principle is closely connected to the law of Karma, which teaches that every action—whether physical, verbal, or mental—creates corresponding results.
When people act from fear, anger, or greed, they plant seeds of suffering. When they act from compassion, generosity, and wisdom, they create causes for peace and happiness.
Seen in this light, Zukav’s idea of moving from external power to authentic power reflects a timeless Buddhist insight: true strength does not arise from domination or control, but from the transformation of the mind.
In the modern world, success is often measured by status, wealth, or influence. Yet Buddhism reminds us that these forms of external power are temporary and unstable.
The Buddha taught that genuine freedom comes from cultivating inner qualities such as:
compassion
mindfulness
wisdom
loving-kindness
When these qualities grow within us, our consciousness naturally changes. Instead of reacting with fear or anger, we begin to respond with understanding and care. This is the beginning of authentic power—the same inner power Zukav describes.
Zukav believes humanity is evolving toward a new level of awareness, where people become more conscious of their intentions and the effects of their actions. This idea echoes the Buddhist path of awakening, where individuals gradually develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions.
Each moment offers a choice: to act from fear or from love, from control or from compassion.
If enough people choose compassion, the collective consciousness of humanity can also change. In this sense, spiritual transformation is not only personal—it is also global.
A Gentle Reminder for Our Time
In a world often shaken by conflict and division, Zukav’s words serve as a gentle reminder that true change begins within the human heart.
Humanity must move from fear to love, from control to compassion, from external power to inner wisdom.
These movements are not only philosophical ideals; they are practical steps toward creating a more peaceful world. When we cultivate compassion and awareness in our own lives, we are already contributing to the transformation of human consciousness.
As the Buddha taught, peace in the world begins with peace in the mind. And when one heart awakens to compassion, it quietly lights the path for many others.
Nadia Murad: One Woman’s Courage Can Change the World
In a world often shaken by violence and injustice, the story of Nadia Murad reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can rise with extraordinary courage.
Murad was born in a small Yazidi village in northern Iraq. Like many young women, she once dreamed of living a quiet and simple life. She hoped to open a beauty salon in her hometown and build a peaceful future with her family.
But in 2014, her life was shattered when the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacked her village. Many members of her family were killed, and she, along with thousands of Yazidi women and girls, was captured and subjected to unspeakable violence.
After months of captivity, Murad managed to escape. Her survival alone was extraordinary, but what she chose to do next required even greater courage.
Rather than remain silent, she decided to tell the world what had happened. Speaking before global leaders at the United Nations, she courageously shared her story and spoke on behalf of thousands of victims who could not speak for themselves.
As she once said:
“I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine.”
These simple but powerful words express her deepest mission—to ensure that no other woman or girl must endure the suffering she experienced.
Murad continued her advocacy for survivors of human trafficking and wartime sexual violence, calling on the world to pursue justice and accountability. Her bravery and determination were recognized globally when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
Yet Murad’s work has never been about personal recognition. Her goal has always been to restore dignity and hope to those whose lives have been torn apart by violence.
In another moving statement, she said:
“There is no greater honor than being able to speak on behalf of those who have been silenced.”
Her life demonstrates how even the deepest suffering can be transformed into compassion and purpose. Instead of allowing pain to define her, she chose to turn her experience into a force for justice and healing.
Murad also reminds the world that silence allows injustice to continue:
“If the world had listened earlier, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided.”
Her words challenge us all—not only to listen, but to act.
Today, Nadia Murad’s voice has become a symbol of resilience, courage, and hope. From a small village in Iraq to the global stage, she has shown that one person’s courage can awaken the conscience of humanity. Her story is not only a testimony of survival—it is a call for compassion.
From a deeper spiritual perspective, her journey also reminds us of the universal law of cause and effect—what many traditions call karma. Violence, hatred, and cruelty create suffering that ripples across generations, while compassion, courage, and moral responsibility create healing and hope. When individuals like Nadia Murad choose truth over silence and compassion over hatred, they help restore moral balance in the world. Her courage encourages each of us to cultivate kindness, protect the vulnerable, and act with integrity in our own lives. In this way, even small acts of compassion can become powerful seeds of positive karma, helping to guide humanity toward a more peaceful and just future.
In the Tang Dynasty, there lived a monk named Jian Kong (Venerable “Mirror-of-Emptiness”), who in his previous life had been a diligent spiritual practitioner. Yet after reincarnating, he was born not as a monk, but as a poor scholar—one who, despite twenty long years of effort, could not pass the imperial examinations. He had no money, no connections, and often struggled even to find a simple meal. Hunger followed him like a shadow.
One day, after days of near-starvation, he set out toward a nearby temple, hoping to find something—anything—to eat. But halfway there, by the side of a river, his strength gave out completely. Weighed down by exhaustion and despair, he collapsed on the riverbank and began to cry. He was already around forty-five years old, and life felt unbearably harsh.
As he wept, a Brahmin monk suddenly appeared before him, radiant and calm.
“Venerable Dharma Master,” the monk said, “are you satisfied with the taste of wandering through worldly life?”
The scholar was startled. “Satisfied? It has been nothing but suffering! But I am a layman—why do you call me “Dharma Master”? That title doesn’t belong to me.”
The Brahmin monk smiled gently. “You are starving and confused now, so you’ve forgotten everything.”
He reached into his bag and took out a large, fist-sized date. “This is a special fruit from my homeland. Eat it. Then you’ll understand.”
The scholar ate the date. Sleepiness washed over him at once, and he lay down beside the river. When he awoke, something astonishing had occurred— his entire past life came flooding back.
He remembered that he, the Brahmin monk standing before him, and three others had all been fellow practitioners in their previous lives. Filled with emotion, he asked:
“What about Monk Zhen? How is he doing in this life?”
The Brahmin monk replied, “In his past life he had not yet cut off worldly attachments, nor had he achieved realization. In this life, he has become a monk again in Sichuan. He has now completely severed his desire for fame and fortune. He will attain accomplishment in this very life.”
The scholar asked about another of their five companions. “And Master Shen? What about him?” “His wishes remain unfulfilled,” the monk answered.
Then he asked about the third companion, Master Wu. The monk sighed gently: “You know him. In our past life, he once joked before a stone Buddha statue: ‘If I cannot attain supreme enlightenment, then at least let me become a mighty nobleman.’ Well, his vow has come true. Just yesterday, I heard he was appointed a general. He has completely forgotten he was once a monk.*”
Finally, the Brahmin monk turned to him and said:
“Among the five of us, I alone have attained liberation. And you—of all of us—you alone have fallen to such a state that you cannot even find enough food to fill your stomach.”
The scholar was bewildered. “In my past life,” he said, “for decades I ate only one meal a day and wore one tattered robe for over thirty years. I practiced diligently and lectured on the Dharma tirelessly. I was a well-known Dharma Master. How could my karma now be so miserable?”
The Brahmin monk answered with unmistakable compassion:
“Yes, you cultivated hard. But when you taught the Dharma, you often mixed in ideas from Daoist and other non-Buddhist teachings. This confused your listeners. You also held back special teachings out of stinginess, unwilling to share them openly. And although you kept the precepts, you broke them in many subtle ways. Given all this, your current life’s hardship is already a fortunate result.”
Hearing this, the scholar felt deep remorse and sadness. But instead of despair, a new resolve arose within him.
He vowed to renounce worldly life and become a monk once more.
Seeing his sincerity, the Brahmin monk took out a mystical mirror from his bag. In it, the scholar saw with clarity:
his own past lives,
the karmic results of all beings’ actions,
even the future rise and fall of the Dharma.
The mirror was said to be like the Seven-Jewel Trees of the Pure Land, which reveal the karmic truths of the universe with perfect brightness.
With this profound vision, his conviction became unshakable. He immediately entered monastic life, practiced with genuine diligence, and in time became a highly respected and accomplished master.
In 1947, shortly after Japan’s surrender and withdrawal from China, the great Zen Master Xuyun (Empty Cloud) gave a profound speech at a middle school. The nation was still recovering from the devastation of war, and hearts were heavy with both relief and sorrow. With deep compassion, Master Xuyun used the timeless wisdom of the Buddha to explain the law of cause and effect (karma) — reminding people that wars do not arise by chance, but are the result of humanity’s collective actions.
He taught that true peace cannot be achieved through force or politics alone. Only by transforming our hearts and purifying our minds through virtue, compassion, and the practice of Buddhist teachings can we bring real and lasting peace to the world.
War does not arise by chance — it is the collective karma of all beings that brings it forth.
Dear friends, during the years of occupation, we endured immense suffering under the enemy’s oppression — our lives were steeped in water and fire, hardship and pain. Now that our nation has regained its light, we should feel endless gratitude and reflection. We must understand that the outbreak of war is not accidental; it is the result of the shared karma created by all individuals.
The ancient masters said, “If you wish to know the causes of your past lives, look at what you are experiencing in this life. If you wish to know the results of your future lives, look at what you are doing now.” They also said, “Even after hundreds or thousands of eons, the karma one has created will not disappear. When the conditions ripen, the results will be experienced by oneself.”
When people lose their moral compass and commit all kinds of evil, they plant the seeds for calamities such as war, floods, fires, and famine. If we wish to change the will of Heaven and eliminate disasters, we must begin by transforming human hearts — by restoring virtue and morality. When everyone practices the Five Precepts and the Ten Good Deeds, cultivates upright minds and pure conduct, and lives with benevolence, trust, and righteousness, then the hearts of men and the will of Heaven will naturally align.
But if people persist in wrongdoing and refuse to repent, how can hostility and suffering ever be dissolved? The Buddha said, “The sea of suffering has no end, but when one turns around, there is the shore.” This means awakening from delusion and returning to goodness — the essential path to liberation.
We must truly believe in the law of cause and effect. It is not fiction but reality. If everyone understood that good deeds bring good results, and evil deeds bring suffering — that when one plants melons, one harvests melons; when one plants beans, one harvests beans — then no one would dare to act against conscience or break the law. Out of great compassion for all beings, Shakyamuni Buddha renounced his royal life and underwent arduous practice to save the world from ignorance and suffering.
If we understand the principle of cause and effect and wish to avoid future suffering, we must now create good causes. The hardships we experience today are the results of past evil actions. Therefore, we should now sow good seeds, and in time, we will naturally reap good fruits.
The scriptures speak of “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi,” meaning “unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” In its essence, it transcends the distinction of self and others — there is no “you” and “me.” But this state must be cultivated from one’s own heart. If our minds remain filled with greed, anger, and ignorance, unable to abandon all evil and practice all good, the barriers of self and ego become like iron mountains, preventing us from reaching the Pure Land or true harmony. This is the most crucial point — one we must all remember well.
The Sanskrit word “Buddha” means “the Awakened One.” Enlightenment has three aspects: awakening oneself, awakening others, and perfecting both understanding and conduct.
To awaken oneself is to realize that all experiences of good and evil, joy and suffering, arise from cause and effect. Once a person truly understands this, delusion fades, the four attachments dissolve, and one becomes enlightened.
To awaken others means recognizing that all living beings — whether born from the womb, from eggs, from moisture, or by transformation — all possess Buddha nature. They are called “sentient beings” only because they are deluded and unaware. We should therefore cherish and respect ourselves, and in keeping with the Buddha’s great vow of compassion and universal salvation, share these truths with others, guiding them out of the sea of suffering.
As stated in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra: “Regard all men as your fathers and all women as your mothers.” If we cultivate such deep reverence and love, especially for widows, orphans, and those who are lonely or destitute, and show them kindness and compassion through giving and aid, we can realize true equality and the ideal of great harmony.
To perfect both understanding and conduct means to live according to the Buddha’s teachings and precepts until one’s virtue and merit are complete. After the Buddha’s passing, he left behind the Three Baskets of Scriptures — Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma — as our priceless raft to cross the sea of suffering. All the rules and precepts should be faithfully practiced. When one fulfills them completely, that is the perfection of wisdom and conduct.
Thus, the Buddha is the awakened one, while sentient beings are the deluded. The distinction between delusion and enlightenment marks the boundary between beings and Buddhas. To turn away from delusion and return to truth — that is awakening, and that is Buddhahood.
To further illustrate the law of karma, there is a story from one of Shakyamuni Buddha’s past lives.
Long ago, in the city of Rajagaha, there was a fishing village with a large pond. One year, a great drought struck, and the pond began to dry up. The villagers caught and ate almost all the fish, until only one giant fish remained, which was finally killed and eaten. Only one eight-year-old boy refused to eat the fish; he simply watched and laughed.
In his later life as the Buddha, King Prasenajit of Kosala, a devoted follower of the Buddha, married a princess of the Shakya clan, and they had a son named King Virudhaka. After ascending the throne, Virudhaka led his army to attack the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu and slaughtered all its inhabitants.
During that time, the Buddha suffered a severe headache for three days. His disciples begged him to use his powers to save the Shakya people, but he refused. Even when Maudgalyayana repeatedly pleaded, the Buddha said no. Maudgalyayana tried to rescue some survivors with his alms bowl, but when he put it down, all he found was a pool of blood.
When the disciples asked why, the Buddha revealed the cause: in a past life, during a great drought in Rajagaha, the villagers had killed and eaten the fish in that pond. The giant fish was reborn as King Virudhaka, and the villagers were reborn as the Shakyas who were killed. The young boy who merely watched and laughed was reborn as Shakyamuni Buddha himself. Because this karma had matured, the outcome was unchangeable.
The Buddha fully understood this karmic connection and taught it to his disciples as a warning. Chan Master Yuan Yun wrote in verse:
“For hundreds of years, the soup in your bowl Is filled with deep hatred, hard to dissolve. If you wish to know why wars arise, Listen to the cries from the butcher’s gate at midnight.”
Reflect on this story and recite the verse, and you will awaken to the true causes of war and violence — and learn to guard your conduct with mindfulness.
If we wish to transform the world and move toward true harmony, everything must begin with our hearts. Students should study diligently, yet never forget the greater mission of saving the world. And the first step to saving the world is saving the heart — correcting one’s own wrong thoughts and firmly believing in the law of cause and effect, avoiding all evil paths.
By cultivating sincerity, righteousness, self-discipline, and harmony within the family, one can extend peace to the nation and the world. If all the people of every country sincerely believe in karma and practice the Eight Virtues and Ten Precepts, then oppression, violence, and wars will cease to arise. True peace, equality, and the Pure Land of Great Harmony will appear, free from the Five Defilements and all suffering.
For the original Chinese speech, please click here. This English translation is by Linda Chang and is provided for reference only.
During the time of Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, there was an old man who heard that by renouncing the worldly life and practicing cultivation, one could be free from suffering, attain happiness, and achieve liberation and ease. Filled with joy, he went to the monastic dwelling, hoping to take refuge under the Buddha.
When the old man arrived at the monastery, he learned that the Buddha had already gone out to teach and transform beings. He thought to himself, “Although the World-Honored One is not here, I’ve heard that Venerable Shariputra is foremost in wisdom—why not ask him to allow me to become a monk?”
Shariputra silently observed the old man to see whether he had the necessary virtuous roots. After careful contemplation, he discovered that this person, in this life and even through countless past kalpas, lacked sufficient virtuous roots and blessings.
When the other monks heard that even the most wise Venerable Shariputra had declined him, they said, “If even Venerable Shariputra will not accept you, you must have some grave shortcomings. How can we possibly let you enter monastic life? You’d better leave.”
The old man felt deeply ashamed and heartbroken. Through tear-filled eyes, he suddenly felt an incredibly gentle hand caressing his head, as tenderly as a loving parent would touch their child. The figure before him radiated a pure and gentle light—it was none other than the Buddha, beloved and revered by all.
The Buddha compassionately asked the old man why he was crying. The old man replied, “I wish to renounce the worldly life, learn the Buddha’s teachings, and cultivate the path, but the monks all refused my request. They said my causes and conditions are not yet sufficient, so I feel very sad.”
“Who said that you lack the causes and conditions to become a monk?” the Buddha asked.
The old man replied, “It was Venerable Shariputra, who is foremost in wisdom.”
The Buddha then turned to ask Venerable Shariputra. Shariputra answered, “World-Honored One, I observed his past life causes and conditions and found that he truly does not have even the slightest virtuous root.”
The Buddha said to Shariputra, “You must not think this way. This person’s virtuous roots are extremely subtle. A long, long time ago, in an eon far in the past, there was a poor man who went into the deep mountains to gather firewood. He encountered a tiger, and in his panic and terror, he cried out, ‘Namo Buddha!’ That one utterance of the Buddha’s name planted the seed for his future aspiration to learn the Dharma and attain liberation. That poor man is the old man in this life. Because the seed of his virtuous root has now matured, he has the conditions to renounce the world and cultivate the path.”
So the old man was ordained under the Buddha’s guidance and received personal instruction from the Buddha himself. Through continuous diligence and effort in his cultivation, he ultimately attained corresponding realization and achievement.
In the Dharma discourses of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, there is also a story (a gong’an, or spiritual case) that was told. Once, while Namo Shakyamuni Buddha was expounding the Dharma, seven tall beings suddenly appeared. These were exceptionally tall figures who entered and immediately prostrated before the Buddha, saying:
“Oh Buddha! Great Holy One! You have liberated us—we are deeply, deeply grateful!”
At that moment, Maitreya Bodhisattva saw them and thought: “How could these people be disciples of the Buddha? They’re clearly not!” Maitreya Bodhisattva, known for his incredible abilities to see into countless past and future kalpas, believed they were lying and said:
“Why are you speaking falsehoods? You must not lie! You are clearly not disciples of the Buddha!”
Hearing this, the seven tall beings had no choice but to explain: “We became his disciples in past lifetimes. We are disciples of the World-Honored One. If you don’t believe us, ask the Buddha.”
So Maitreya Bodhisattva turned to the Buddha and said: “Rare and wondrous World-Honored One, can you tell us—are these people truly your disciples?”
The Buddha replied: “They have not spoken falsely.”
From this story, we can understand that even a Bodhisattva of equal enlightenment like Maitreya could not perceive the subtle karmic causes and conditions of these seven beings. This shows just how profoundly deep and inconceivably subtle the true nature of karma is—only a Buddha of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment can fully understand it.
In fact, there are many similar gong’an (spiritual cases). On one occasion, Namo Shakyamuni Buddha was transmitting the Dharma to a tall person who had been that way since beginningless kalpas. When the Buddha designated a particular yidam (personal deity) to guide him, the yidam refused. The Buddha asked, “Why won’t you teach him?”
The yidam replied, “This person has serious problems. He lacks virtuous roots.”
The Buddha asked, “How do you know?”
The yidam said, “As soon as you pointed to him, I immediately observed his karmic history over many kalpas. He has no virtuous roots and is incapable of learning the Dharma—he’ll only turn into a bad person.”
The Buddha said, “Let’s ask Manjushri Bodhisattva.”
Manjushri then said, “This person does have virtuous roots. In the previous kalpa known as the Worthy Eon (Xian Jie), he was a crab. At that time, he committed many evil acts—catching and eating shrimp and other crabs. But later, he encountered the Dharma in the Dragon Palace and repented his sins. From that moment, he vowed to become vegetarian and made a great aspiration: from that moment until beginningless time, he would never again harm any living being. Gradually, through the force of that vow, he was reborn as a human in this lifetime. So, he does indeed possess wholesome karma.”
At that point, Namo Shakyamuni Buddha said to Manjushri Bodhisattva, “You should take the yidam to witness that past life.”
The yidam then said to the Buddha, “There’s no need. Since a Bodhisattva has verified it, and what the Buddha says is to be followed without question, I’ll abide by it. I simply didn’t see that part before—my cultivation is still shallow, and I feel deeply ashamed.”
Thereafter, the yidam vowed to accept the person as a disciple.
From this, we can see that only the enlightened state of a Buddha can, in a single thought, fully perceive the true reality of all beings’ karmic causes and effects. Therefore, to cultivate and learn the Buddha’s teachings, one must begin with understanding karma—cause and effect—as it is the very root and essence of the Dharma.
As Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has taught: “One must know that all phenomena are governed by causality. With good causes, you receive good retributions. Good retributions yield good fruits. Good fruits enable you to receive the true Dharma. Relying on the Dharma, you can achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom. Then you can step into the state of accomplishment, break away from the sufferings that living beings experience, cease transmigrating in the cycle of birth and death, and accomplish the perfect enlightenment of a Buddha!“
We should uphold the precepts of Buddhism, develop firm faith in karma, and never err in understanding cause and effect. Only through proper and lawful cultivation can we transform our karma, perfect our blessings and wisdom, ultimately see through and fully realize karma, and attain the sacred path of bodhi enlightenment.
During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, King Prasenajit and his queen were devoted disciples of the Buddha. They had a beloved daughter named Shanguang, who was compassionate, kind-hearted, graceful, intelligent, gentle, and exceptionally wise. Despite her royal status, Shanguang remained humble and approachable, never flaunting her nobility, which earned her the love and admiration of the entire kingdom. The king and queen cherished their beautiful daughter, treating her like a precious gem.
One day, while walking in the royal garden with her father, King Prasenajit said, “Shanguang, the blessings you enjoy today are because of me, your father, the king.”
Shanguang gently replied, “That is not true, Father. My blessings come from my own virtuous deeds and karmic causes, not because of your royal status.”
This exchange occurred three times, with Shanguang steadfast in her belief. Her conviction angered the king, who felt she was ungrateful. Determined to test her, he thought, “I will see if she can enjoy the blessings of a princess on her own!”
The king ordered his servants to find a beggar from the streets and betrothed Shanguang to him. Without complaint, Shanguang removed her fine silk robes and precious jewelry, dressed in coarse clothing, and left with the beggar.
The beggar, who had long lost both parents and wandered alone, was astonished that a princess would marry him. When they returned to his old home, the house was dilapidated, with collapsed walls and overgrown weeds, except for one small patch where no grass grew.
Shanguang instructed her husband to dig at the bare spot. To their amazement, they unearthed a vast treasure of gold and silver. Astonishingly, wherever Shanguang bought land, gold was discovered beneath it. Using these treasures, she built a palace as grand and magnificent as the royal palace itself.
After some time, the king’s anger subsided, and he began to miss his daughter. Curious to see how she was living, he visited her new home. To his astonishment, he saw a palace even more splendid than his own, with countless servants attending to her needs. He was left speechless.
Shanguang explained to her father, “The blessings I enjoy in this life are the result of my past virtuous deeds.”
Perplexed, the king sought answers from the Buddha, asking, “What virtuous deeds did Shanguang perform in her past that she was born into royalty, married a poor beggar, yet still enjoys such wealth and prosperity?”
The Buddha revealed, “Ninety-one eons ago, during the time of Vipashyin Buddha, a king built a stupa to enshrine the Buddha’s relics after His nirvana. The king’s queen made an offering of a magnificent pearl crown, placing it atop the stupa. The radiant jewels on the crown illuminated all directions. That queen was Shanguang in a past life.
Later, during the time of Kashyapa Buddha, Shanguang again performed virtuous deeds by preparing heavenly offerings and the finest food for the Buddha. However, her husband at the time tried to discourage her. Shanguang replied, ‘Please do not stop me. Allow me the opportunity to make offerings to Kashyapa Buddha so I may experience peace and happiness in both body and mind.’ Her sincerity moved her husband, and they made the offerings together.
The beggar she married in this life was that same husband from her past. Because he once tried to prevent Shanguang’s offerings, he faces poverty in this life. However, since he later supported her, he now shares in her accumulated blessings, enjoying prosperity through her merits.
This story illustrates the infallible law of cause and effect. Good and bad karmic actions bring precise results. The blessings one rightfully earns cannot be taken away by others, and blessings not belonging to you cannot be forced into your life. Even the most elaborate schemes can fail, as a single disaster can reduce one to poverty again. Therefore, cultivating virtue and performing good deeds is truly the most rewarding ‘investment’ one can make.
Language is one of the most powerful tools in human communication. It has the capacity to warm hearts, yet it can also deeply wound others. The ancient Chinese saying, “Illness enters through the mouth; misfortune comes out of the mouth,” serves as a profound reminder of the critical importance of our words. Another popular saying states, “A kind word can warm one for three winters, but a harsh word wounds deeply and is hard to forget.” Those who speak thoughtfully build strong relationships, while careless words often lead to unintended enmity or trouble. Indeed, many of life’s great misfortunes arise from verbal mistakes.
The Chinese ancients emphasized the principle of “cautious speech and careful actions,” which is not only a foundational aspect of personal conduct but also key to cultivating one’s character. In modern times, misunderstandings and conflicts often stem from believing rumors and passing on unverified information. This carelessness turns small issues into major problems, causing unnecessary harm. The impact of careless words can extend beyond personal relationships, disrupting families, friendships, and even society, sometimes escalating into widespread societal issues.
Buddhism’s Teachings on Verbal Karma: The Four Types of Harmful Speech
Buddhism profoundly explains the karmic consequences of speech. Among the “three karmas” — body, speech, and mind — verbal karma is especially critical. The Buddha taught that the consequences of verbal karma can be even more destructive than a raging fire because hurtful speech inflicts suffering on others. Buddhism identifies four types of harmful verbal karma:
Harsh Speech: Using cruel or aggressive words that directly harm someone’s spirit.
Slander: Spreading rumors or sowing discord, leading to broken relationships and disputes.
False Speech: Speaking untruthfully or deceiving others.
Frivolous Speech: Words that may seem pleasant but mislead or confuse others, distracting them from right mindfulness.
These forms of verbal karma not only harm relationships but also sow seeds of negative karma, inevitably leading to future suffering.
Chinese Buddhist texts record a story from the Song Dynasty: One day, Zen Master Guang XiaoAn observed two monks engaged in a discussion about the Dharma, during which they were surrounded and protected by heavenly beings. However, as soon as their conversation shifted to worldly topics, the deities departed, and evil spirits appeared, mocking the monks with vulgar language. This story serves as a reminder that even monks, when they deviate from righteous speech, will attract negative consequences.
In today’s world, the effects of verbal karma are even more pervasive. Carelessly spreading rumors, posting unverified information online, or making inflammatory remarks can cause lasting damage. Every harsh word is like a sharp blade, hurting not only others but also oneself.
Here is another powerful example that highlights the benefits of controlling one’s speech. At Mount Jiuhua, a sacred Buddhist site renowned for venerating Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, there once lived a venerable nun. She was widely respected for her virtuous life and profound wisdom, embodying the transformative power of positive speech.
Even at the remarkable age of 136, she remained in good health, continuously reciting the mantra “Amitabha Buddha.” This practice not only reflected her spiritual merit but also her mastery of speech, and self-discipline.
The venerable nun understood the profound impact of verbal karma and strictly adhered to the principle of “cautious speech.” She refrained from gossip and focused her speech on chanting the Buddha’s name. In conversations about spiritual matters, she offered concise and clear guidance, leading people toward the right path. When topics were unrelated to spiritual practice, she chose silence. This self-discipline brought her immense merit, making her a role model for others. She often said, “For women, whether lay or ordained, if one can guard against verbal karma, one is halfway to becoming a Buddha.” Her words highlighted the critical role verbal karma plays in the spiritual path.
The venerable nun’s teachings emphasized the severe consequences of verbal karma. She made it clear that verbal karma is one of the greatest obstacles in spiritual practice and explained its multiple harmful effects:
Verbal Karma Obstructs Spiritual Progress: Every instance of harsh speech, slander, or frivolous talk not only harms others but also pollutes one’s mind, hindering spiritual purification.
Verbal Karma Leads to Lower Rebirths: Harsh speech is like a wildfire, burning away one’s merit and leading to severe karmic consequences.
Verbal Karma Disrupts Harmony: In families, communities, or society, harmful speech creates discord, making it difficult to maintain a peaceful environment for practice.
Verbal Karma Weakens Faith: Harsh and false words can cause others to lose faith in their spiritual path, even destroying their potential for future practice.
Her virtuous life and disciplined speech accumulated immeasurable merit. It is said that many patients with difficult illnesses were cured after receiving her blessings, a testament to the power of pure verbal karma.
Guarding Verbal Karma in Modern Life
In today’s world, controlling speech is more essential than ever. Here are some practical steps to guard against verbal karma:
Speak Cautiously: Think before you speak. Avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from gossiping or discussing others carelessly.
Control Emotions: When emotions are high, it’s easy to say things that cause harm. Cultivate a calm and peaceful mind to avoid saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment.
Cultivate Positive Speech: Use kind and uplifting words to resolve conflicts, build trust, and foster harmony in your relationships.
By understanding Buddhism’s teachings on verbal karma, we can become aware of the power of language and use it to bring peace and happiness to ourselves and others. Guarding speech is not only a sign of respect for others but also an essential aspect of personal spiritual practice.
Through mindful and compassionate speech, we can spread kindness, promote harmony, and enhance both the quality of our lives and the happiness of those around us. Let us strive together to use the wisdom of language to create more peace and happiness in our lives and in the lives of others.
Karma, in Sanskrit known as ‘karma,’ is the creator of deeds of body, speech, and mind, producing both good and evil without forgetting. It is also like the causes created by the three activities, which manifest as their results.
The force of karma leads to the consequences of suffering or happiness based on its nature, whether good or evil. Therefore, there is also the doctrine of karma and its consequences. Karma accumulated in the past is referred to as past karma; karma in the present is referred to as present karma.
The law of karma is a special instance of the law of cause and effect, according to which all our actions of body, speech and mind are causes and all our experiences are their effects. Certainly, perhaps some people might ask, “This ‘karma’ you speak of, I can neither see it nor touch it. Does it really exist?”
The law of karma explains why each individual has a unique mental disposition, a unique physical appearance and unique experiences. These are the various effects of the countless actions that each individual has performed in the past. We cannot find any two people who have created exactly the same history of actions throughout their past lives, and so we cannot find two people with identical states of mind, identical experiences or identical physical appearances. Each person has different individual karma. Some people enjoy good health while others are constantly ill. Some people are seen as very beautiful while others are seen as very ugly. Some people have a happy disposition that is easily pleased while others have a sour disposition and are rarely delighted by anything. Some people easily understand the meaning of spiritual teachings while others find them difficult and obscure.
Master Milarepa was renowned for his profound spiritual practice amidst the snowy plateaus of Tibet.
In his youth, Milarepa engaged in regrettable actions that resulted in negative karma. He resorted to sorcery, causing a house to collapse and resulting in the deaths of 35 people, including his adversaries. Additionally, he summoned hailstorms that devastated his uncle’s crops and the entire village.
There are accounts of Master Milarepa experiencing the consequences of his actions. In the later stages of spreading the Dharma for the benefit of all beings, a monk observed the reverence and admiration directed towards Venerable Milarepa by the crowd. Although outwardly respectful, the monk harbored intense jealousy and disdain, viewing the Venerable as understanding nothing and merely a hypocritical, arrogant, and conceited individual.
Once when the Venerable Milarepa fell seriously ill, this monk, pretending to be concerned, went to visit him and said:
“A great master like you who has attained enlightenment should not be so gravely ill, yet here you are sick! If there were a way to share this illness, to distribute some of it among your disciples. If there were a method to transfer it, for example, I could share some of it, but unfortunately, there seems to be no solution. What can be done?”
The Venerable smiled gently and replied, “I should not be ill by nature, but illness is beyond my control.”
The monk continued, “If only I knew the cause of your illness. I suppose no reason can be found? If it could be transferred, I would willingly take on some of it.”
The Venerable responded, “I could indeed share some of this illness with you, but you would not withstand it even for a moment. Therefore, it’s better not to transfer it.”
The monk thought to himself that perhaps the illness couldn’t be transferred, so he persisted more earnestly, saying, “Please, in any case, transfer the illness onto me!”
The Venerable then said, “Very well, but you will not bear it.”
Subsequently, the Venerable transferred the illness onto the door of the silent room, causing the door to creak and shake as if it were about to collapse. Despite this display, the monk remained skeptical, wondering if it was all an illusion, and he once again requested, “This is truly extraordinary! Please transfer it onto me.”
The Venerable agreed, warning him, “You will not endure it.”
He then withdrew the illness from the door and transferred it onto the monk. Instantly, the monk collapsed in pain, unable to move, breathe, or nearly fainting. Seeing this, the Venerable quickly withdrew the illness back, telling the monk, “I only transferred half of the illness to you.”
At that moment, the monk felt profound remorse and sincerely placed the Venerable’s feet on his forehead, tears streaming down in genuine emotion…
Thus, in the realm of karma, distinctions of wealth, poverty, status, or identity dissolve; there are only individuals confronting the unfiltered repercussions of their actions, whether virtuous or malevolent. Like an ever-present shadow, karma unfailingly trails behind, and when it matures, one experiences the consequences firsthand, feeling both its warmth and coldness.
Every action we perform leaves an imprint, or potentiality, on our very subtle mind, and each imprint eventually gives rise to its own effect. Our mind is like a field, and performing actions is like sowing seeds in that field. Virtuous actions sow seeds of future happiness and non-virtuous actions sow seeds of future suffering. These seeds remain dormant in our mind until the conditions for them to ripen occur, and then they produce their effect. In some cases, this can happen many lifetimes after the original action was performed.
The compassionate teachings of the contemporary Buddha, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, instruct us to accumulate wholesome karma and avoid unwholesome karma; through practice, we can transform causes and effects. Only in this way can we allow our good karma to ripen first, keep evil deeds at bay, break free from the bondage of karmic forces, and truly escape the ocean of suffering. The supreme practice method taught by the Buddha, in “What is cultivation“, when followed diligently, brings boundless benefits.
Therefore, only through genuine repentance from the heart and earnest adherence to the teachings, can we eliminate karmic obstacles and allow the fruits of our wholesome actions to mature swiftly. Conversely, if we do not follow this path, we will only confirm the truth of the saying “We can’t take anything with us, only karma accompanies us,” and thus cycle endlessly in samsara.
Karma literally means action. It refers to the universal law of cause and effect whereby positive actions produce happiness and negative actions produce suffering. You must be willing to rid yourself of evil according to the principles of karmic retribution for doing evil and likewise be willing to do good for the same reasons. Only in this manner will you bring about true happiness and good fortune for yourself and others. All Buddhist disciples must understand cause and effect, but, as Dorje Pa Mu explains, merely understanding this principle is not enough. You must clearly believe in the principle and live accordingly. You must use this principle in your actual practice to solve your worldly problems. You end causes and effects through cultivation whereby you train your mind and correct your erroneous ways so that your actions of body, speech, and mind (also known as your three karmas) correspond with the teaching of your vajra master and the Buddhas. Remember that greed, anger (hatred), and ignorance are the three great obstacles of cultivation.
You must remember that the so-called good effects or bad effects of karma are not a judgment nor given as a reward or punishment by a supra mundane authority such as God. The good or bad effect produced by good or bad karma is purely and simply a natural phenomenon governed by natural laws that act automatically, with complete justice. It is just like the law of gravity and other similar rules. This Law of Karma, or cause and effect, is so powerful that it governs everything in the universe except enlightened beings or those who recognize their basic original nature. Upon enlightenment, the round of cause and effect loses its significance, just as samsara, or the round of birth and death, ceases with enlightenment. Since basic or original nature transcends all duality and is ultimate, there is no one to receive the effect, whether it is good or bad, and no one to whom any effect can apply. This unique explanation by the Buddha of the nullification of the Law of Karma is very important.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has said, “Thus, only through learning from the Buddha, cultivating the conduct of the Buddha, and ultimately becoming a Buddha can we thoroughly liberate ourselves from the karma (cause and effect) that binds us to the cycle of reincarnation. Cause and effect still exists when one becomes a Buddha. However, cause and effect can not affect a Buddha. For example, the Buddha saw mountains of swords and seas of fire in the hell realm. The mountains of swords and seas of fire continued to exist as extremely painful means by which living beings undergo karmic retribution. When the Buddha suddenly jumped into the mountains of swords and seas of fire in order to undergo suffering on behalf of other living beings, the mountains and seas immediately transformed into a lotus pond of nectar. They transformed into a wonderful state. With respect to a Buddha, all bad or evil karmic conditions turn into the manifestation of good karma. Not only is there no suffering, there is instead a manifestation of great happiness.”
However, until we become enlightened, we must remember that it is as Dharma King Tsongkhapa said, “the things I’ve done, the white or black and what these deeds will bring to me, follow always close behind, as certain as my shadow.”
It was April 2015. My stomach suddenly became harder and harder, and it swelled noticeably after eating. A colleague suffered from colorectal cancer and also had a hard stomach. I quickly went to the hospital for examination.
After the CT scan, the doctor said that the initial diagnosis was a liver tumor that was suspected to be cancerous, so emergency surgery was necessary. When I heard this result, I felt my heart racing. I thought that this was my karma and I should suffer it if I need to. If I didn’t die, I would be reprimanded.
At that time, I often went to the Sanger Mission Temple to listen to the dharma courses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. I understood some truths about karma. So I accepted it calmly without complaining to others, and actively cooperated with the doctor’s treatment. A highly skilled Indonesian doctor took the lead for my surgery. She is the second best doctor in Southern California. She said: “Your liver tumor has a layer of membrane wrapped with bad things. We just need to take out the cyst and we don’t need to cut the liver, so it won’t hurt the liver. After doing so many operations, this is the second strangest example I have ever seen. The doctor asked “Are you a Buddhist?”
Even more strange is that despite the anesthesia effects after the operation, I seem to have temporarily lost the pain. The doctor prescribed morphine to relieve the pain, but I didn’t use it because I didn’t feel any pain at all. After the operation, I spoke as usual, full of energy. On the fourth day after the operation, a sister came to visit me and said that the monks in Sanger Mission had not seen me for a while and knew about my situation. So they recited the Sutra in the morning and night, then they transferred their merits to me.
The power of Buddhism and the power of recitation of the Sutra are incredible. My operation went well and the wound healed quickly. A week later, I walked very fast, and I didn’t look like someone who had undergone surgery! After several months of observation, the doctor determined that my tumor was benign and he ruled out the possibility of cancer.
The Buddha and Bodhisattva have saved my life twice, and I am truly grateful.
Peace LiLy 