[UPDATED!] Short Book Review/Summary- “Four Essays on Karma”

SeattleThomas · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Seattle, WA

Four Essays on Karma
By Yuen Liao Fan
Translated by Evelyn Li & K.C. Ng / Edited and revised by Kender Tomko
Published by Purple Lotus Society http://www.purplelotus.org/
ISBN: 1-881493-02-4
Links of high interest:
http://www.purplelotus.org/shop/en/mbooks.html
http://www.purplelotus.org/temple/en/plpub/ptrans.html

Noteworthy quotes-

Introduction and Essay I: How to Determine One’s Destiny
• “Praise the virtue of your ancestors, and remedy the faults of your parents. Repay the generosity of the country. Work for the benefit of coming generations. Help all those who are in great need, and shun both idleness and improper thought.” [pg 23]
- Don’t waste your precious human birth by settling for comfort and ease.
- All happiness will become the past.
- “An instant of happiness can also be an eternity of sorrow.” –Master Sheng-Yen Lu [The Inner World of the Lake, pg 118]
- A human birth that is fortunate enough to access Buddhist teachings should never be taken for granted.

• “Any charitable act carried out with a sincere heart is as good as ten thousand.” [pg 22]
- Don’t stop performing charitable acts even when one appears to be exceedingly accomplished.

• “Keep a [karmic] diary, and balance out each transgression with a good deed.” [pg 19]

• “When one reaches a peak in life, prepare for a fall. When experiencing good fortune, be ready for adversity. Be prepared to be poor when one is enjoying great wealth. Expect slander when praised. Treat your family line, however honorable, as low birth. Always regard yourself as lacking knowledge even when well educated.” [pg 23]
- Modesty is achieved through the experience of both lows and highs in life, where balance is most essential.

• An effective variation of the Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourselves, do not inflict upon others.” –Analects of Confucius
- I think this saying is effective since it accommodates for most people’s undeniable and sometimes unconscious selfish tendencies, thinking and behaviors.

• “Try to reflect upon and correct mistakes daily. By failing to examine faults for even a single day, one falls back.” [pg 23]

• “Empty the mind and release all worldly concerns.” [pg 19]

• Proverb: “A person’s life is determined from within, and one’s outer appearance is projected from the mind.” [pg 15]

• “We are as free to succeed in life as we are free to fail.” [pg 11]

• “There is no permanence in life … Karma is not fixed.” [pg 22]
- Negative karmic consequences can be diminished or even averted with steadfast practice and the right counter-action.
- Do good to balance the bad.

• “There is no difference between a life that is long and one that is short. Inner cultivation is the essential point … If one abides peacefully, free of grasping, hope, and fear, satisfied with whatever comes and fulfilling one’s obligations, then what difference does it make? In fact, all relative distinctions such as those between `rich` and `poor,` `noble` and `inferior` exist only in the mind.” [pg 19]

• “It is by indulging in vain hopes that people fail to face reality. They easily become excited or downcast, unable to meet good fortune and calamity with a balanced mind.” [pg 20]
- Mandarin: Ru ru bu don (immovable and uninfluenced by life’s exterior forces and inner emotions)
- Never go on tilt!

• “Simply flow with events as they arise, whether difficult or fortunate.” [pg 20]

• “One creates one’s own karma” [pg 15]
- Even though this is obvious, it is quite often overlooked or unintentionally disregarded. People forget that they should imagine themselves walking on thin ice with every word spoken, with every thought considered, and with every action taken.
- “The seed of unwholesome actions will germinate into roots of misfortune.” –Shakyamuni Buddha
- Compassionate, positive thoughts (not just unwholesome ones) can also lead to transmigrations since thoughts can and will likely lead to attachments.
- “Do not dwell on good thoughts. Do not dwell on evil thoughts.” As long as you have dualistic thoughts, you are in the midst of transmigration and will experience karmic consequences. Whether these karmic affinities are good or bad, they will become your attachments and the source of continuous transmigration. –Master Samantha 12/27/03

• “There is no reason for presumptuous thoughts or desires.” [pg 15]
- “To be free of worries is to be able to view worries as non-existent and to transcend them.” –Master Sheng-yen Lu [An Overview of the Buddhadharma, pg 91]
- WOW!! (Presumptuous) thoughts are nonexistent; (presumptuous) desires are also nonexistent. Thus, it is unnecessary and counter-intuitive to focus and stress about the nonexistent.

• “A person who does not awaken their inner nature and bring forth pure awareness will be entirely subject to the push and pull of the Cosmos and hence have no freedom.” [pg 15]
- I suppose “the push and pull of the Cosmos” can be interpreted as the influence of exterior (societal) stigmas and destructive, self-constructed (emotional) desires.
- “To break the chain of transmigration between the six realms of existence, we have to suppress our desire.” --Master Sheng-Yen Lu

• “I have not performed enough charity. I am impatient, intolerant, conceited, and insensitive. I give in to passion, and speak heedlessly” [pg 17]
- Be charitable, patient, tolerable, modest (in the right situation), and sensitive.
- Stop -> Contemplate correctly -> then speak or act
- Endure spontaneity, temptation, emotion, and passion (even when one is in a sobriety lacking state).

• “By understanding our own faults, we can correct them and thus change our karma.” [pg 17]
- Present yourself to the Buddhas, repenting all your past transgressions.
- Reciprocity- Perform charitable acts in gratefulness for the generosity of your ancestors, and the support and assistance of Heaven.

• “…transform greed into generosity, anger into love, hypocrisy into sincerity, sloth into diligence, and pride into humility. Start accumulating merit! Be kind, agreeable and tolerant towards others, and preserve your life energy. Drop the past and begin your life today, like a newborn child!” [pg 18]

• “Just as the physical body is governed by actions, so is the emotional body attuned to deliberate behavior.” [pg 18]

• “I began paying attention to my behavior. I used to be aimless and dissolute, but became cautious and conscientious, even when alone.” [pg 21]

• “Deeper reflection showed my inner cultivation to be inadequate. For example, doing half-hearted charity, helping others with hesitation, or giving a hand while speaking thoughtlessly. When sober I behaved, but became a bit wild when drunk. In this way many good deeds were cancelled by errors.” [pg 21]

• “The essence of human life is relationship. Every breath and every moment we make is in relationship, of relationship, by relationship and through relationship.” [pg 8]

• “By purifying and strengthening our thoughts and actions, we clarify and stabilize our lives.” [pg 10]

• “Balance and natural harmony are central…” [pg 9]

• “A person able to resist in equanimity (being calm and even-tempered) with clear perception is very close to awakening [one’s inner nature].” [pg 20]

• “A Chinese Buddhist focuses on the liberation of inner human potential through transcendent awareness, thus the balance and harmonious expression of the inner Buddha-nature is paramount.” [pg 9]

• “Traditional wisdom and spiritual practice emphasize that one’s individual character development is one’s destiny.” [pg 11]

• “Personal fate can be changed.” [pg 15]

• This is not just worthless talk. Absence of guile is a fundamental Buddhist teaching, and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not deceive.” [pg 15]
- Commit to ultimate realization for the benefit of all living beings.

• “Strive assiduously towards goodness.” [pg 16]
- “Fatigue is no excuse for laziness. And don’t fall asleep. Procrastination, fatigue, and sleepiness are all excuses. A true Tantric practioner sets out regardless and keeps on forging ahead.” –Master Sheng-Yen Lu

Links of high interest:
http://www.purplelotus.org/shop/en/mbooks.html
http://www.purplelotus.org/temple/en/plpub/ptrans.html

--Posted by Thomas W. Chung--
March 1, 2005

SeattleThomas · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Seattle, WA

Noteworthy quotes (continued)-

Essay II. Methods of Self-Correction

* "Good health is due to the quality of food rather than any special taste or exotic origin. Special dishes of meat and fish may have little nutritional value. Why incur the negative karma of making one's stomach a crematorium when a vegetarian diet suffices? Furthermore, all flesh-and-blood beings are conscious. How shameful it is then to not embrace them as our relatives, much less to kill them and so inspire fear and hatred! By such reasoning one brings forth universal compassion and thus gives us habitual killing." [pg 27]

* "Meet the shortcomings of others with sympathy rather than anger. No one in the world is spotless, thus condemnation is pointless." [pg 27]

* "A person's kindness or lack thereof is known to Heaven. When an individual is to receive good fortune from above, this first becomes apparent through their composed and serene demeanor.
" [pg 24]

* "First endeavor to correct past mistakes and only then take up charitable work...the first essential point of self-correction is deep remorse...the second essential point is maintaining gravity and respect...the third essential point of self-correction is courageous determination." [pg 24-26]

* "Hungering only for status and wealth, engaging in surreptitious misconduct, brazen before others, one is even worse than an animal." [pg 24-25]

* "Remorse has a great influence on man. Keeping it, one rises to become a sage, and losing it, one lowers oneself to the level of animals." [pg 25]

* "Seemingly inconsequential wrongdoing is nevertheless recorded and judged by Heaven."[pg 25]
- Heaven is watching and listening 24/7.

* "The individual's distorted consciousness experiences a seemingly endless hell of its own making." [pg 25]
- Hell on earth is germinated from the seed of karmic causes
- In Buddhism, the eighteen kinds of hell described depend on the sufferings caused on others. For instance, asthma in the current life may be a consequence of smoking and causing second-hand smoke in a previous life.

* "Mounting daily frustration usually stems from a lack of inner cultivation and discipline. Therefore each person should remain aware of their own thoughts and feelings as these arise." [pg 27]

* "Acknowledge, rather than to react" emotionally [pg 27]

* "Put aside unnecessary conflict." [pg 28]
- This is redundant since all conflict is inherently unnecessary. One must consider conflict as a myth, for it is non-existent.

* "To lead a pure life requires only determination." [pg 28]
- Avert wrong-doings and wrong-actions
- Avert wrong and malicious (regardless of degree) thought

* Method of averting mistakes: "The most profound method of correction is at the source of consciousness. Keep your mind purified and remove any unbalanced thought the instant it takes form. If direct awareness is too difficult to practice, then the next best alternative is to regulate one's behavior on the basis of reasoned contemplation. If even this seems too difficult, then one only can correct mistakes as they occur." [pg 28]
- Mistakes take the form of action, intention, and even perception. Adjustment is required at the root source of all the aforementioned, which is one's mind.
- Action and physicality is manifested from within (mental). Purify your mentality and all physical actions will thus purify themselves. [Positive causes yield positive effects.]
- Respect your future by always being aware of causes and their effects.

* "Remain steadfast in a turbulent situation."[pg 28-29]
- Never go on tilt!

* Argument against the cliche "Ignorance is bliss": "As common people we are completely burdened with mistakes just as hedgehogs [or porcupines] are completely covered with quills. Thus to not see such mistakes simply indicates carelessness and insensitivity." [pg 29]

--Posted by Thomas W. Chung--
March 6, 2005 (03/06/2005)

SeattleThomas · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Seattle, WA

Essay III. The Ways of Accumulating Merit

• “Consequences follow as closely as one’s own shadow.” [pg 40]
- Beware of karmic reciprocity

• “Virtue is primarily a matter of the heart and mind. What must be examined is the underlying intention.” [pg 41]
- The means are truly important when justifying a particular end.

• “Authentic virtue is directed towards furthering others, while inauthentic virtue is directed towards furthering oneself only. Similarly, heart-felt generosity and kindness performed free of ulterior motive are authentic, while ostentatious or calculating acts of `service` are merely inauthentic virtue.” [pg 41]

• “Helping and caring for others in unexpected ways is courageous virtue.” [pg 42]
- Normative behavior and conformity may lead an individual down a wrong and unfavorable path.

• “Negative thoughts count as offences, whether or not the individual manifests those thoughts.” [pg 49]
- WOW!!!
- If negative thoughts count as offenses, would you say that positive thoughts count as good deeds?

• “Fame and honor are objects of jealousy.” [pg 43]

• “Only fools praise a name lacking substance.” [pg 43]

• “Weigh the pros and cons of one’s actions in the broader context to determine whether the overall outcome will be positive.” [pg 45]
- For instance, one might wisely choose to abandon modesty when accepting recognition for good action if it will potentially influence others to perform virtuous acts themselves. That is, provide them with incentive.

• “Complete personal dedication is required for continuous virtue, while occasionally good deeds are classed only as intermittent virtue.” [pg 47]
- At all times, keep one’s community and community wellbeing in mind.
- Find ways to truly move the higher spirits.

• [pg 47] There was long ago a poor young woman who visited a Buddhist temple. She had only two pennies to her name yet offered both. As it happened the temple abbot himself performed a purification ritual for her. Years later, the young woman returned as a rich lady, with much gold as an offering, yet the abbot sent a junior to perform the purification rite. Astonished by this, the lady questioned the judgment of the abbot. “How is it that you once personally helped me for only two pennies, but now ignore me when I offer a thousand gold pieces?” The abbot replied, “With the two pennies you also offered your whole heart, but with all this gold you have only offered a very little from within yourself. Thus the help you receive is in accord with the inner aspect of the offering.” Thus in this example, offering a thousand pieces of gold indicates only intermittent virtue, while heartfelt offering of two pennies is thorough virtue.

• [pg 47] Long ago the Taoist immortal Chung-li Chuan decided to teach Lu Tung-pin an alchemical method for transmuting iron into gold, to help the poor. Mr. Lu however had doubts about he outcome and asked the immortal whether the magically created gold would ever revert to iron. When told it would after five hundred years, Mr. Lu declined to use this alchemy, saying “Wouldn’t you agree that this will seriously harm people when the `gold` again becomes iron? I do not want to deceive people in such a way, even if the issue is so far removed in time.”

• “These charities are most precious because of the selflessness of the individuals, their willingness to undertake what others would not, and endurance of what others could not tolerate.” [pg 50]
- Practice selflessness!
- Engage in altruistic acts.
- Good fortune is only valuable when it is returned.

• “Charitable work must be performed with a sincere heart.” [pg 48]

• “The degree of merit depends on scope of intent.” [pg 49]

• [pg 51] Ten categories of service can be identified. These are
1) To encourage people in their performance of virtue.
2) To always keep the sense of respect and loving kindness.
3) To endeavor to assist others in accomplishing their aims.
4) To communicate the importance of benevolence.
5) To respond to others in their time of need.
o (Don’t flee from scenes of emergency.)
6) To further projects that will benefit the many.
7) To be generous with material help.
8) To protect and uphold the sacred Buddhist transmissions of wisdom, compassion, and power.
9) To respect one’s relations.
10) To open one’s heart to all living beings.

• Use and enact “personal example to command in social situations.” [pg 52]
- Always set good examples for others. Do not underestimate your impact and influence on others.

• “Speaking skills are not for chastising others. Respect for all humanity – whether high and low – is necessary, and that universal acceptance includes forgiveness. When someone performs even a minor good deed, then thank them, as a silent protest to the unkind without forcing the latter to lose face. In this way the unkind are gently reminded of the need to reform themselves. The ideal is to hold uppermost in mind the welfare of others and serve as a role model for universal human values.” [pg 52]

• “`The difference between criminals and noble persons is the intention.` The sage is one who always engages others in respect and loving kindness.” [pg 52]

• It is “essential to extend respect and love to all our fellow human beings from our hearts. Doing so is equivalent to honoring the teachers and healers of mankind, for this is their practice. To learn how to live in this way, to respect others and ourselves equally and thus rest in equanimity is indeed the Way of Heaven.” [pg 52]

• “A spoken word can educate someone for a moment, while a book can educate the generations to come.” [pg 53]

• “If one identifies and engages every opportunity to encourage others in taking up benevolent work, this is comparable to awakening sleeping persons from their nightmares, and thus is a profound form of charity. [One should apply one’s wisdom in enacting such an act. Speaking too much may drive away a stubborn person, while being too conservative may lose valuable opportunities.]” [pg 53]

• “Financial generosity not only serves to benefit others and increase meritorious power, it can also free one’s awareness from grasping at the provisional self. Such generosity greatly furthers inner cultivation.” [pg 54]

• “What does it mean to respect one’s relations? This means to be considerate and accommodating of family members, teachers, and elders in society. One should speak in a balanced and moderate way with parents, and comply with the laws of the land. When given significant authority, one should perform the assigned duties without conceit or arrogance. All of these are classified as hidden virtue.” [pg 55]

• “If you love the rats, leave them some scraps of food; if you pity the moths, do not light the lamp.” [pg 55]

• “It is important to avoid satisfying ourselves through the suffering of others, and, instead, to bring forth compassion and intuitive discernment.” [pg 55]

--Posted by Thomas Weisey Chung--
March 7, 2005 (03/07/2005)

SeattleThomas · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Seattle, WA

Essay IV. Humility

• “One loses through arrogance and gains through patience.” [pg 57]
- Be disciplined and patient
- Correct conceited and haughty behavior by abandoning or putting aside negative inclinations and manners

• “What is necessary is for you to change yourself.” [pg 58]
- Simple yet crucial

• “On one level, one does begin life with a certain level of development, and if a person does not seek to definitely develop themselves, then that is what is called `fate.` However, the individual who sets out to live a life of virtue, who decides for example to always be charitable towards others, will eventually become able to accomplish anything whatsoever.” [pg 58]

• “Charity springs from the heart. If you can always keep your heart open towards others, then each outward action will reflect that and bring benefit.” [pg 58]

• “There is real truth in the old saying: `Never do wrong. Three feet above one’s head stand the divine beings.` We live in a world filled with misfortune, and the only truly effective way to avoid misfortune is to keep one’s heart and mind pure. If one can have a warm and loving heart, and respect for nature and the supernatural beings, and remain cautious, then one will be guided and cared for by the invisible forces.” [pg 59]

• “A life of vanity and pride, or careless execution of responsibilities, will inevitable lead to a dark and uncertain future. In that case, what good fortune one may have will not endure. Thus the wise will not cut themselves off from goodness by arrogance and contempt. It is through receptivity that one can receive guidance from others, and this in turn makes possible inner purification and development.” [pg 59]

• “Heaven will definitely respond to one who remains humble…Therefore, success is a matter of the purity of one’s own attitude.” [pg 59]

• “One who takes up the ethical way of life and decides to live for the benefit of all people shall realize inner peace and eternal joy.” [pg 60]

--Posted by Thomas Weisey Chung--
March 7, 2005 (03/07/2005)

rost211177 · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Seattle

Thanks for posting this summary of the book. I will definitely get this book.

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