| Summary: | 碩士 === 華梵大學 === 東方人文思想研究所 === 101 === A ubiquitous principle exists in the universe, and that is the law of Karma. As an old saying goes that “You reap what you sow,” such rules evince that people in the world shall do good deeds and purify one’s character, and exemplify the connotations of Karma and Reincarnation in Buddhism. Buddhist doctrines may be said to have built on the foundation of Cause and Effect and Six Realms of Rebirth; without a clear understanding of this or a firm belief in Karma, even a person having many years of immersion in Buddhism or doing charitable things can neither expand the scope of wisdom nor accumulate merits and blessings. Such results should be traced back to the contamination from all misdeeds or evils of many previous lives. Under the condition of non-removal of misdeeds and barely enough good causes, Karma will show itself before the human eyes. Therefore seekers after Buddhism should first realize that the foundation on which to connect with Buddhism lies in the strong conviction in Karma, a thorough thinking about suffering and the truth of dvādaśāṅga-pratītya-samutpāda, so as to become aware of the pain of incessant life and death, namely, Reincarnation, and come to sow the seed for the liberation of Reincarnation.
Only after a full comprehension of the process of Karma, can one get rid of all misdeeds done or ill thoughts harbored by body, speech or mind and start doing good deeds and increasing merits and virtues. After the remarkable accumulation of merits and virtues, one may understand it will not be sufficient to be liberated from Reincarnation, as such does not ensure an exemption from falling. Only if one develops Bodhicitta and improves the ability of self-help and helping others can a person reach the ultimate goals of becoming a true Buddhist, doing all good deeds and being enlightened of Six-Perfections, walking on the path of Bodhisattva steps on and separating from Six Realms of Rebirth, hence achieving the Buddha’s state, that is, Nirvana.
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