An extremely large number of people think that we are each suddenly born into the world, and that when we die after living out our lives, there is nothing left. However, this is not the case at all. The causes that we made in our past lives and the causal relationships that exist with our parents combine to form a truly profound karmic bond that caused us to be born into this world.
Therefore, the things that we did in the past can truly be well understood if we look at your condition in the present. In other words, if we are encountering disillusionment, unhappiness, or various sufferings in the present, this is because we definitely made the causes in past lives. Again, the various causes that we have made in this lifetime are not simply a matter of what we experience while we are alive now. After we die they will continue to exist as karma into the eternal future, and will take form as our future life.
Excerpted: Collected Sermons, The Mission of Faith, Retired High Priest Nikken Shonin, 1992-2002, p.209-214.
Your Karmic Relationship with The Buddha
Buddhism is based on the core idea of cause and effect, Karma. The best karmic relationship you can have is with The Buddha. Visit Sunday, March 3rd, to learn what this means for your happiness. Our Chief Priest will begin his lecture on Karma at 2pm and explain how you can change negative karmic relationships into positive Karma.
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- Learn how to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and properly use the Juzu Beads, Buddhist prayer beads.
- Q&A with our Chief Priest.
- The meeting starts at 2:00 pm and concludes around 3:15 pm. Open to the public.
- 310 University Blvd West, Silver Spring, MD 20901 entrance on Burnett Ave
If you have decided to become a Buddhist or are interested in learning how to become a Buddhist, after Sunday’s meeting (about 3:30 pm) Rev Sakabe will be performing the Acceptance of the Precept Ceremony, the ceremony where you become a Buddhist.
