We previously discussed that cause and effect are in life, and that they happen in the present moment. Cause and effect are everywhere and at any time, but sometimes we don’t look at it in this way. Since I started practicing Buddhism, I have attached great importance to cause and effect and read many books on the subject. I view events in my life from a causal perspective, and the more I look at them, the clearer the results become.
Example of causal relationship: Being cheated out of 6 million.
The last time I was in Foshan, a boss came over. He said that a Hong Kong man defrauded him of 6 million. He came to ask me how to deal with it and how to deal with it. I looked at his appearance and asked him: “How did you start your business?” He said: “I stole at first, then cheated, and then robbed. That’s how I started.” So his face was not enough. Gentleness, this is what comes from the heart. Appearance is the result, and thoughts are the cause. It was the result that he was defrauded of 6 million today, and it was the reason that he deceived and robbed others in the past. Now that we understand this cause and effect, can we find a way? How to deal with this matter? It was good to accept it happily, but the 6 million made him bankrupt. What’s a better way? repent. I persuaded him: “Come to the Buddha Festival and repent well at the Buddha Festival to reduce your bad karma. When your bad karma is reduced, your bad retribution will be reduced.” In fact, this Hong Kong man did not really defraud the money. He took the money away and refused to give it to him, saying that he had no money, so the Hong Kong man may or may not pay him back. On the surface, whether to repay or not is decided by people. If you understand Buddhism, you will know that it is determined by cause and effect, so I advised him to repent. Because I know that once he repented, people might return some or all of it to him. Since he was a person who stole, cheated, and robbed, he didn’t know this causal relationship, so his idea was to find the underworld. Do you think this method is good? (Answer: No.) This gangster said that if he killed the Hong Kong man, he would go to jail and would not let the boss go. This boss is very proud, he thinks he is really a good friend. Do you think such a friend is good? It looks good and helpful, but actually it is harmful. I said to him: “Not only will you not get the money back, but you will also cause a bigger incident.” Or the person may be ready to repay the money, but if you do this, he will get angry and simply refuse to repay the money. So this is a way of doing things that doesn’t understand cause and effect.
Cause and Effect: Everything is created by the mind
“The Avatamsaka Sutra” says: “If people want to understand it, all the Buddhas of the three times should observe the nature of the Dharma Realm, and everything is created only by the mind.” This sign is very big. This phase refers to the entire Dharma Realm. Does it refer to a company or a family? Please savor this sentence slowly. It says: “If a person wants to understand where all the Buddhas of the three generations were born.” It gives a conclusion: “One should observe the nature of the Dharma Realm, and everything is created only by the mind.” It says that everything in the entire universe is Created from our hearts. We have heard from other religions that God is omnipotent, but now do we know where God is? (Audience: Heart.) Wow, you have achieved great enlightenment. So is this heart my heart or yours? Master’s heart can create, but can my heart create? A Buddha’s mind can create, but can an ordinary person’s mind create? The Buddha said: “There is no difference between the mind, the Buddha, and all living beings.” The heart is the Buddha, and the Buddha is all living beings. There is no difference. These living beings are divided into two categories. One category is called sentient beings, which are living beings. One kind is called the merciless sentient beings in the world. Stones and soil are all sentient beings. Therefore, there is no difference between mind, Buddha and sentient beings.
Every thought is cause and effect
At this point, we understand better. We know why everyone looks different, we know why every family is different, and we also know why everyone has different preferences. So, why is everyone’s fate different? How did it happen? It is caused by our hearts. Because each of us has different thoughts and desires, it causes differences in our appearance, destiny, family, and career.
