No Good Deed

When we are trying to do what is right, it can often seem that good results do not come our way. As was said in a class recently, “No good deed goes unpunished!”

Why do we do good deeds and receive misfortune when others commit wrongdoings and obtain good fortune? What happened to cause and effect?

We need to remember that while it is true that we will receive good fortune after doing a virtuous deed, that good fortune rarely appears immediately. Why? Because our transgressions are too heavy to be compensated by just one small virtuous deed!

In Buddhism, we often hear of the “three lifetimes.” This refers to the three aspects of a karmic effect. First, good fortune arising from good deeds or suffering arising from misdeeds may occur within the present lifetime. Second, they may occur in the next lifetime. Third, such karmic results may not come about until the third lifetime or they may not show up until after innumerable lifetimes. So, causal actions do give rise to various karmic results, we just cannot be certain when.

Under what circumstances would these karmic results take effect? Good or evil karmic results can only be brought about by the existence of appropriate conditions or circumstances. If the appropriate conditions mature in the present lifetime, the respective karmic result will then manifest itself within the present lifetime. This is the first aspect of a karmic effect.

Similarly, should the appropriate conditions mature in the next lifetime; the karmic effect will manifest itself then: the second aspect of a karmic effect. Should the conditions fail to arise after numerous lifetimes; the karmic cause will remain dormant. Perhaps after the passing of immeasurable eons, the conditions may finally arise and then the karmic result will manifest.

Comments

[Chakra Sue]

Perhaps this answers my question of why leaders of peace experience violence against them. Those leaders of peace know they need to balance the karma of past lives? How unfortunate the violence against them has just created bad karma for those inflicting harm. The most recent conflicts in our world sadden me.

[Venerable Wuling]

Sue,

Those who know about cause and effect will understand why things are happening; those who do not know about causality will very possible not know why.

Those who inflict harm have the possibility of acting otherwise. While we are propelled by the force of our past karmas (actions), we have the ability to change the direction in which we are going. Those who have tried to break a bad habit know how difficult it is, but it is doable.

[Trey]

Vunerable Wuling,

Pardon me for my ignorance. If upon doing a good deed, the good fortune might manifest not in this life but other lives, why is Liao fan able to change his destiny and wish for what he wanted? Is it because he has cultivated himself and thus the right conditions set in?

Many thanks for your time and patience.