The answer to this question is obviously very simple – you made your own Karma. But you don’t have to live with it. You can change your life, change your karma.
Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution*
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism teaches that 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.
“Men of wisdom” described in this passage refer to people who exert themselves in the faith and practice of True Buddhism. People who embrace and believe in the Gohonzon will gain the benefit of lessening their karmic retribution.
This Memorial Day weekend learn more about how to own and change your own Karma. Our Chief Priest, Rev. Murata, will be giving a lecture, What is Karma?, on Sunday, May 25th at 2:00 pm. This meeting is part of our Introduction to Buddhism series. Call or email the Temple if you have any questions.
*Basic Terminology of Nichiren Shoshu, Volume 1, p.73.
