The Connection Between the Arising of Thoughts and the Fruition of Causes and Conditions (Part3/3)

 

The Dhammapada with Parables, Fascicle 1

We often hear virtuous knowledgeable mentors teach: “Do not neglect a wholesome deed because it seems small, or commit an unwholesome deed because it seems minor.” The aforementioned anecdote tells of two merchants. One of them, merely by giving rise to a small wholesome thought, consequently brought forth the wholesome karmic fruition of becoming a king in that very lifetime. However, the other, by giving rise to a small unwholesome thought, instead brought forth the karmic retribution of an untimely death in that very lifetime.

The key reason for the foregoing lies in the differing objects of wholesome and unwholesome thoughts. The object in the aforementioned anecdote is the Buddha—the Supreme One among humans and celestial beings throughout the three realms, and the most perfectly adorned field of merits and gratitude. One who plants seeds of merit upon this perfectly adorned Buddha through the arising of even a single small wholesome thought about him can become the wealthiest and most honored king in the world. Conversely, one who harbors a small unwholesome thought, such as arrogance, about the Buddha will earn an exceedingly unpleasant karmic retribution, drawing forth severe retribution in hell.

Sentient beings’ karmic deeds have intrinsic differences in severity. If the three actions of body, speech, and mind are fully present, and if all three essential conditions discussed in the precepts—the fundamental intention, accomplished deeds, and expedient means—are fully met, then the precept violations and inherently wrongful acts committed will all lead to the most severe retribution.

In the aforementioned anecdote, even though the merchant who harbored unwholesome thoughts merely committed a transgression of mental karma, he had already incurred severe retribution. This clearly demonstrates that the object of one’s action will cause a significant difference in the resulting retribution. In the current Dharma-ending age, there are still great bodhisattvas and great virtuous knowledgeable mentors who, to perpetuate the longevity of the correct Dharma of the Tathāgata, willingly take rebirth in the human world of Sahā in each lifetime. This ensures that the Buddha’s true Dharma can be transmitted among humans, widely benefiting sentient beings with a meaningful affinity.

Taking the aforementioned anecdote of the Buddha as a lesson, Buddhist disciples should understand that they should refrain from entertaining even subtle thoughts of contempt or slander. If the object of slander is a worthy sage or a great bodhisattva, then even a transgression consisting solely of such a thought will incur extremely severe karmic retribution. Therefore, all who practice the Dharma must be extremely careful and skillfully guard their own minds! (Part 3/3)

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