'Dharma and Karma'

By Lama Thubten Yeshe

Basically, dharma is anything that causes our delusions, our disturbing thoughts, to subside; it is anything that brings us peace of mind and liberation from confusion and suffering.

Buddha dharma teaches methods to purify the mind of negativities and to develop our human potential to the fullest. Some of these methods, such as not harming others, generating compassion and practising generosity, are shared by other philosophical and religious traditions. 

Other methods are uniquely Buddhist.Two of these, karma and emptiness, are the heart of dharma. Karma is the law of cause and effect and emptiness is the nature of reality, devoid of all misconceptions. 

Let us begin with karma. Every single action performed by body, speech or mind eventually produces a specific reaction.  For example, an unwholesome attitude will definitely culminate in problems and suffering, while a wholesome, clean, clear mind always brings happiness. We have all noticed that when our mind is full of confusion everything we say comes out in a confused way. This illustrates the evolutionary link existing between all actions and their consequences. Although this link seems obvious when analysed, it is not always apparent.

When we catch ourselves saying something senseless or nasty we are apt to say, ‘Oh, I don’t know why I said that; it just came out that way.’ To assume that there is no particular reason for our uncontrolled actions is a mistake. Not one word has ever been uttered that was not motivated by either a positive or negative attitude.

Understanding the karmic connection between causes and effects will give us the energy to change ourselves.  Nevertheless, it is essential to approach our practice with patience and wisdom. Changing our habitual behaviour is not easy. It is not like making instant coffee; it takes time. 

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karma 
(Skt; Tib: lä)

Action; the working of cause and effect, whereby positive actions produce happiness and negative actions produce suffering