Awakening the Buddha Within _ Eight Steps to Enlightenment - Lama Surya Das [101]
Anguli Mala was so moved by the Buddha’s words that on the spot, he became a disciple of the Buddha and through practice and perseverance in the three trainings of Wisdom, Ethics, and Meditation, he was eventually able to purify and expiate all of his sinful karma. Within that one lifetime, Anguli Mala was able to become an arhant, a liberated sage. If even a serial killer could purify and transform himself, and expiate his negative karma, why couldn’t any one of us do the same? It is completely doable. This is the good news, the gospel of Dharma.
It is said that in order for the full effect of negative karma to take place, the negative action has to have four completed parts: (1) The act is done intentionally; (2) The act is accomplished and completed (for example, a theft is not only planned but actually takes place); (3) The act is not regretted and repented; (4) The act is not atoned for, with vows not to repeat such an act again. When all four of these conditions are present, contributing to the weight or impact of the karmic result, then the full effects will eventually be reaped. Without all four, bad karma can much more easily be transformed. In other words, if you feel regret and repentence for some past act, that alone helps lift the karmic burden.
REBIRTH HERE AND NOW
Classic Buddhism explains that although good actions and good karma will lead to a better rebirth, it doesn’t necessarily bring enlightenment, which is liberation from karma and conditioning. The good karma that stems from deeds alone can even bring rebirth in the angelic or divine realms, where all is beauty, pleasure, and abundance; but eventually that good karma will be spent, your flower garden adornments will wither and fade, and the wheel of samsara keeps turning, toward yet further rebirths. In order to reach enlightenment and nirvana, we must accumulate two different kinds of merit—accumulation of merits from virtuous actions, as well as the merits that come from wisdom, insight, understanding, and awareness.
Some people say they don’t believe in rebirth and seek a more here-and-now philosophy. Right Action in this world in this present moment is a liberating practice that allows one to go through life free from guilt and self-doubt, secure in the knowledge that virtue brings its own just rewards. Even the murderous Anguli Mala could reach realization after he heard the Dharma teaching and put an end to his volcanic anger and malice. Purifying negativities—large and small—brings contentment and inner peace. Virtuous living is a boon to the entire world. When we transform our lives, we ourselves become transformed. It is a spiritual rebirth, in this very life. We don’t have to wait for an afterlife of some kind. This is how we can usher in the kingdom of heaven, in this world, in our homes and community. We need not wait.
CRAVING: A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO RIGHT ACTION
The secret waits for eyes unclouded by longing.
—TAO TE CHING: THE WAY AND ITS POWER
Craving, or lust, as it is sometimes called, is one of the primary five hindrances, or challenges, that Buddha warned seekers they would meet on the path to awakening. When Buddha Dharma speaks about craving, it implies psychological hunger and thirst, unhealthy desire, longing, attachment, and psychological fixation. Who among us is so completely fulfilled and content that he or she is above “wanting” of any kind? Is there nothing wanting in your life right now? As we try to purify and refine our actions, we need to be aware of the myriad ways by which our desires create pitfalls on the spiritual path.
It is said that a thief ‘s vision is so distorted that even when he meets a saint, all he can see is the saint’s pocketbook. Ask yourself: Is there anything or anyone you crave so much that it clouds your judgment and vision? What do you hunger for? Is there anything