Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution (tenju kyoju)*
This term indicates changing one’s heavy karma and lessening the negative effects one will receive. This phrase originates from the Nirvana Sutra. Through embracing the Lotus Sutra, we can lessen and eradicate in this lifetime our heavy karma accumulated through past slanders against the Lotus Sutra. We can also lessen the retribution we would otherwise receive in future lifetimes.
The Nirvana Sutra states:
Men of wisdom eradicate their severely heavy karma by receiving lighter karmic retribution in this lifetime. Men of ignorance suffer lightly in this lifetime but [after death] must suffer in hell. (Taisho Tripitaka, Vol. 31, p. 550)
To learn more about KARMA and the law of causality, join us on Sunday, September 1st, at 11 am for an Introduction to Buddhism meeting. Our Chief Priest, Rev. Murata, will give a brief lecture, teach you how to chant and use the Juzu Beads (Buddhist prayer beads) and answer your questions in a Q&A session. Call or email the Temple if you have any questions.
* Excerpted from Basic Terminology of Nichiren Shoshu, p.73
