Karmic obstacles and blessings are that simple.
At the five-foot round table workstation, the assistant manager, team leader, and a senior sister were folding cloth. The three of them exchanged ideas and communicated during work, while the junior disciple joined in, and everyone was happily engaged.
“There’s really nothing to fuss about. When we come into this world, our hands are empty; when we leave, our hands are also empty,” the senior sister said with a smile on her face.
“What do you mean empty? You can’t leave empty-handed! You have to take two things with you: karmic obstacles and blessings!” The team leader suddenly raised her head and spoke with a voice as firm as thunder, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Blaming fate for being bad or blaming this or that—what good does that do? If you don’t cultivate yourself and don’t know how to give, of course it’s all for nothing—just an empty experience!” As a disciple of Buddhism, the team leader’s perspective is straightforward; she pointed out the relationship between karmic obstacles and merits.
“You can’t take anything with you when you go; only your karma follows you.” Indeed, this phrase is a well-known Buddhist saying. I admire the team leader’s insights on karmic obstacles and blessings; I didn’t expect her understanding to be so profound. Her words awaken those who are lost in dreams; I am grateful for her teachings.
Buddhism emphasizes that “every thought and intention is sin and karma.” “Karmic forces” refer to everything arising from conditions; nothing exists independently. This means that every thought we have,
is constantly rolling through the cycle of karma. I believe that when people leave this world, all external possessions will inevitably perish; there’s nothing one can take away. Only consciousness follows us. Our usual karmic obstacles and merits,
will leave seeds in our eight consciousnesses and continuously circulate with us. I think that our practice is not about escaping from karmic obstacles or merely seeking merits,
nor is it solely about valuing external beauty, wealth, knowledge, health, or power. All karmic rewards and blessings stem from our own actions. Understanding the cause-and-effect relationship means we must accept that we cannot escape from consequences.
Starting today, we must always turn back at any time or place to reflect on ourselves—look at ourselves within and seek within our hearts—to remove ignorance accumulated over countless lifetimes. Through continuous learning from wise teachers,
let ourselves live in constant improvement, gain wisdom, achieve enlightenment, and ultimately find liberation amidst suffering! by – Director Chen