Transforming Karma

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Transforming Karma with our Buddhist Practice

We might even hear ourselves asking: 'Why has this disastrous situation happened to me?
What did I do to deserve it?' When we ask ourselves questions like this, the Buddhist principle
of karma can help us understand what we can do to break out of the repetitive patterns that
might cause ourselves and others suffering.
1. What is karma?

Originally the Sanskri word 'karma' (or 'karman') meant 'action' or 'act'.
Buddhism teaches that we humans create karma through making causes with our
thoughts, words and deeds. Whatever we think, say or do is stored in our mind as
karma. They are the causes that we make, for which the effects can come in present or
future lifetimes. Karma is the constant link between our past, present and future.

Everyone without exception has karma, good or bad.


It is important to recognize that karma can be both positive and negative, and it is
certainly good karma to have been born a human being. Most often, however, people
are more likely to think about karma in a negative way. When this expression is misused
it can take on the appearance of referring to some fixed 'fate' or 'destiny which is
absolutely not what it is about in Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren Buddhism clarifies that If
we are responsible for creating our personal karma, then we are also able to change it.
It is of course important to recognize that everyone's karma is different.
Ever wondered why few people are born in fortunate circumstances and situations and
some are born in less than fortunate surroundings and families? We carry our karma
from past lifetimes and that karma is added to our present lifetime. So it is obvious that
both negative and positive karma will follow us to this lifetime also

Everyone faces a different set of karmic sufferings. Broadly , Karma is of 3 types,


-Health
- Financial
- Relationship
Some may face a very difficult health condition, or some illness and might get sick again
and again. Some people, how much ever they try, they have huge debts and are always
in financially challenging situations. Few may have very deep relationship karma and
might suffer.
Examples:
2. CAN WE CHANGE KARMA ? if yes, then how?

Yess….we can We all have our own karma , n strength of each person’s faith also differs …n
we never know what challenges we will face in life. We the Buddhist practitioners can dispel
all darkness and cast off even the heaviest chains of karna. In Nichiren Buddhism, the theory
of karma is an empowering teaching that can revitalize people’s lives. The Daishonin teaches
us that there is no negative karma, no matter how heavy, that cannot be transformed for
the better. The Daishonin declares that ,” IF one experiences extreme hardship in this
lifetime. “ I.e.if we face persecution for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, or if we face problems
while living a life devoted to faith – then “ the sufferings of hell will vanish instant, in this
lifetime itself, not some future illness.” HOW CAN WE CHANGE( TRANSFORM) KARMA ? • By
dedicating ourselves to the mission of kosen- Rufu and continuing to strengthen and
improve ourselves, we can transform our karma... • Chant abundant daimoku.. • Trusting in
the power of the Gohonzon... • Strive fearlessly and patiently.. • Refuse to accept defeat.. •
Never retreat a single step In the end, you r certain to TRIUMPH!!

Here are some example:


1. If the root cause of an illness is the work of negative functions or the effect of karma,
then even the best efforts of medical science alone cannot bring about a cure.It is only
through strong faith in the Gohnzon that we can defeat such negative functions in our life n
transform our karma “.
2. Just as the myriad stars in the sky vanish when the sun rises, the unfathomable store of
negative karma from our past can be erased and the sufferings of karma overcome as we
bring forth the life- state of buddhahood.
3. A member from Poland said,” Nichiren Buddhism teaches us that we can transform many
negative karma .it means I have the right to decide how to change my life n how much
potential n the power to overcome his or her negative karma “
4. You run water through a hose that hasn’t been used for years.At first, the water coming
out of the hose will be dirty. But if you keep running water through it, eventthe water
coming out will be clean. In same way, when you practice Nichiren Buddhism, at first
negative karma from previous existences will come out, and things may be challenging for a
while, but to become happy, you need to rinse out all that negative karma. Once it’s washed
away, just like the clean water that eventually comes out of the hose, you will attain a state
of indestructible happiness. SO WHEN YOU ARE PRACTICING AND YOU SUDDENLY
ENCOUNTER SOME TERRIBLE PROBLEM, JUST THI K TO YOURSELF, “ MY PAST NEGATIVE
KARMA IS FINALLY STARTING TO COME OUT. I WILL CHANGE POISON INTO MEDICINE. BY
GETTING OVER THIS OBSTACLE, I WILL BE ABLE YO EXPAND MY LIFE STATE.” If we continue
to dedicate our lives to our faith, the time will definitely come when we will change our
negative karma and declare,” Yes, I have won in my life “. Let us create our own history of
victory, challenging our human revolution and changing our karma right where we are,
where our mission lies.
3. What are the dynamics of changing karma?
Ikeda Sensei explains: “The ninth consciousness is itself the ultimate reality of all things and is
equivalent to the universal Buddha nature. Buddhism teaches that we can change our deepest
karma through drawing upon this inner capacity of our lives” (Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth
and Death, p. 162)
Not only do we continuously create karma, but we can lighten, transform and expiate it. This
greater causality refers back to the idea of the nine consciousnesses.
First 6 consciousnesses: The first five of the nine consciousnesses are related directly to our five
senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. The sixth, called mind-consciousness, integrates
the information from the five senses and processes how we perceive our surroundings.
(give the example of rose)
These first six levels, represent the awareness with which we process the outside world.
7th Consciousness: The seventh, called mano-consciousness, is said to be where self-awareness
or ego originates, and where our subconscious impulses. This is where we are aware of our
identity/ who we are).
The power and force of our inherent Buddhahood is greater and stronger than the karma we
created in the past. This is why when we tap our Buddha nature deep in the ninth
consciousness, it will purify the other layers of consciousness.

You will recall that 'beneath' the eighth consciousness (the alaya consciousness, or karmic
storehouse) lies the ninth, which is the source of our Buddhahood, or the cleansing and
purifying energy of our Buddha nature. When we stimulate and activate our Buddhahood it
flushes through the other layers, not just showing us the karmic tendencies which cause us and
other people to suffer, but eclipsing the effects of that karma with the power of its life-force.
Nichiren advises, “You should base your mind on the ninth consciousness, and carry out your
practice in the six consciousnesses” (“Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light,” The Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 458). Regarding this passage, Sensei says:
By establishing faith in the ultimate reality and incorporating Buddhist practice into our daily
lives, we can access infinite wisdom, power and compassion; we can achieve a fundamental
inner reformation and establish an unshakable foundation for true happiness. By analogy,
while a piece of wood floating in a stream will be swept away at the whim of the current,
even the most powerful of currents cannot shift an island of rock. (Unlocking the Mysteries of
Birth and Death, p. 164)
c. A little about karmic retribution

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