Background:
This Sutra has changed the lives of many who have read it, for it explains the direct results of causes. It is also called the Golden Precepts by Lord Buddha and is reproduced here in its entirety:
‘Once upon a time, there was a gathering attended by 1,250 followers. The venerable Ananda, after circling thrice with folded hands around the Buddha and bowing with respect asked: ‘In the present dark age where the majority of our people are indulgent in unrighteousness, disrespectful to the Lord’s teaching, undutiful to their parents, immoral, miserable and sordid, among them some are deaf, some blind, some mute, some idiotic, some handicapped in other aspects, and most people inured to killing, how could we understand the cryptic and fundamental principle or causes that have brought about this reality and what consequences each individual is to suffer eventually for his deeds. My Lord, would you kindly explain these to us?’
The World-honored One then answered, ‘Listen carefully, I will now expound the Law of Karma. Because of Karmic effects inherited from previous lives, some people are poor, some rich, some happy and some miserable. These are four rules inseparable in obtaining happiness and prosperity for your next life. They are: to be dutiful to parents; to be respectful to Buddha, to Buddha’s teaching, and to Buddhist monks; to abstain from killing and setting free sentient beings; and to abstain from eating meat and be charitable.’ Then the Buddha proceeded on the Karmic Sutra:
‘Destiny is aggregate karmic effects from the past. To believe in and practice this Sutra will bring you eternal prosperity and happiness.`
Law of Karma
Effect : Why in this-life you have are able to hold high governor position?
Cause : Because you have decorated Buddha's statue with gold in your previous life.
Elaboration: Why is it that some people are able to hold high governor positions in this life? That is because in your previous life, you have listened to Buddha's sutra and holds yourself upright, and frequently and respectfully, decorated Buddha's statue with gold powder and gold flakes. Buddha is the greatest and most respectful amongst all, hence by offering to Buddha, you will get the most respected positions.
Effect : Why in this-life you have cars and various transportation facilities?
Cause : Because you have repaired broken bridges and paved roads for the benefit of others in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the olden days, transportation is not as accessible as modern times. Having a car or horse ride is the envy of many people then. In modern times now, how are you able to have a good mode of transport? As long as you frequently help to build bridges and lay roads, do good deeds and let people have a better road to use, you will reap good karma. By doing so, you will attain wealth in the process, and will be able to enjoy having good modes of transportation.
Effect : Why in this-life you have clothing in great variety ?
Cause : Because you have donated clothings to the poor people in your previous life.
Elaboration: The reason why you frequently have beautiful clothes to wear is because in the past life, you regularly donate clothes to the poor people and let them have the basics to pass through the cold winter. This good karma will let you enjoy having beautiful clothes to wear in your next lives.
Effect : Why in this-life you have splendid food ?
Cause : Because you have donated food to the poor in your previous life.
Elaboration: The reason why you frequently have beautiful clothes and good food to eat is because in the past life, you regularly donate food and clothes to the poor people to prevent them from going hungry. This good karma will let you enjoy having plentiful of good food and clothes in this life.
Effect : Why in this-life you are starving and cloth less ?
Cause : Because you were too stingy to donate to charity in your previous life.
Elaboration: Why is it that some people are poor and does not have enough to eat? The reason is because you are stingy in your previous life, and does not even donate a single cent to charity, nor do the smallest of good deeds. Without any good karmas, you will have a misery life until you do not even have enough for 3 decent meals a day. Hence, if you want yourself to enjoy a better life in the next life, do at least some good deeds frequently.
Effect : Why in this-life you have houses and building ?
Cause : Because you have donated food to poor people in your previous life.
Elaboration: Why is it that some people are able to live in big and beautiful houses? These people were very kind hearted in their previous life, and frequently donate their home's food in big quantity, to the poor and needy people, and help them to build houses to shelter them from the harsh weather. Hence, they have accumulated good karma, and is able to enjoy living in big and beautiful houses in this life.
Effect : Why in this-life you are so prosperous and happy ?
Cause : Because you help to build temples and/or public shelters in your previous life.
Elaboration: Some people are able to enjoy the results of good karma this life. Their houses, wealth and fortune are aplenty and in abundance, and enjoy good reputations and is well respected. Why is it that so? The reason is because in their previous life, they build monasteries for people to pay respect to Buddha, or build public shelters for people to rest in. Hence, they have plentiful of good fortune in this life, and is well respected by others.
Effect : Why in this-life you are pretty and handsome ?
Cause : Because you respectfully offered flowers to the Buddha's altar in your previous life.
Elaboration: Why is it that some people are born pretty or handsome, or a likable face? Flowers have a good smell, and are pretty. In your previous life, you frequently offer flowers to Buddha, or decorate public places, letting people who use the place feel refreshed, thus accumulating this good karma.
Effect : Why in this-life you are so intelligent and wise ?
Cause : Because you were a devout Buddhist and a sober vegetarian in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you frequently recite the sutra and gain knowledge and calm the heart. Naturally, you will see things with clarity.
Effect : Why in this-life you have beautiful wife?
Cause : Because you have done good deeds in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the previous life, both husband and wife have studied and practiced Buddhism, but have not achieved attainment. Both had admired each other. Hence because of this fate in their previous life, they are together in this life.
Effect : Why in this-life husband and wife are faithful to each other and can grow old together ?
Cause : Because you have decorated the temple with scrolls and tapestries to Buddha in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you have decorated the temple with scrolls and tapestries, and frequently listen to and practice Buddha teachings. You know that by not killing living beings, you will enjoy good health and long life. Hence together, both of you avoided killing beings, and often freed them, hence attaining good health and longevity.
Effect : Why in this-life you have both parents ?
Cause : Because you have respected and helped the lonely in your previous life.
Elaboration: You have respected old people, and taken care of lonely old people in your previous life, thus letting them have a safe and stable environment to pass their olden times. This is the good karma you have reaped.
Effect : Why in this-life you are an orphan ?
Cause : Because you were a bird-shooter in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the past, you used to catch and kill animals, thus they are unable to take care of their children. This is a retribution for your past actions.
Effect : Why in this-life you have many children ?
Cause : Because you have printed and distributed sutras in your previous life.
Cause: Because you have freed birds in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you frequently freed living beings, letting them escape the fate of being killed, thus accumulating this good karma. Once their karma have been fulfilled, they will be reborn into your household to repay your kindness.
Effect : Why in this-life your child dies young ?
Cause : Because you have killed other's children through hatred of the child's parents.
Elaboration: One has a deep hatred for others, and thus killed their child, leaving them to grieve. If this is a direct retribution, you will have a short life, and not just losing your child.
Effect : Why in this-life you are heirless ?
Cause : Because you have destroyed flowers habitually in your previous life.
Cause: Because you hated others children in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you hate and are jealous of others successful careers or business. You think that if their descendents take over their business, they will be even more successful. Hence, you harmed their descendents, or assisted others in abortions.
Effect : Why in this-life you enjoy longevity and good health ?
Cause : Because you set free sentient-being in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your past life, you saw animals that are about to be killed. As you do not bear to see them being killed, you bought them and set them free in a safe place. Or you frequently gave medicines to those in need, thus enabling them to live a long and healthy life.
Effect : Why in this-life you are short-lived ?
Cause :Because you have committed too many killings in your previous life.
Elaboration: If you frequently kill animals in your present or previous life, or makes a living from killing livestock, you will suffer from illness or have a short life-span.
Effect : Why is this-life you have no spouse ?
Cause : Because you have committed adultery in your previous life.
Elaboration: Either that, or in your previous life, you forced upon other people's wife or daughter. In this life, you will either have no spouse or your spouse will cheat on you or leave you for others.
Effect : Why in this-life you are a widow ?
Cause : Because you have ill-treated your husband in you previous life.
Elaboration: In this life and previous life, you look down on your husband, and use vulgarities on him or scold him. Because of this, your husband suffered from your abuse, and lead him to ill health, or met with accident outside. If you jeer at others being a widow, you will suffer the same fate too.
Effect : Why in this-life you are a servant ?
Cause : Because you were disloyal and ungrateful in your previous life.
Elaboration: You have benefitted from others in your previous life, but does not repay this kindness to them, nor do any charity. Hence, in this life, you will be a servant to repay your debt in your previous life.
Effect : Why in this-life you have clear and good sighted eyes ?
Cause : Because you have donated oil to light up the Buddha's altar in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you frequently decorated the Buddha's alter and lighted oil lamp, thus brightening up the Buddha's surroundings.
Effect : Why is this-life you suffer from blindness ?
Cause : Because you have distorted- truths and misled others in your previous life.
Cause: Because you frequently see or spread pornography.
Elaboration: In the past, you published write, and likes to read pornography materials, thus using the eyesight in the indecent way. Or you frequently hurt animals' eyes, causing them to hurt or lose their eyesight.
Effect : Why in this-life you have wry mouth ?
Cause : Because you have intentionally blown out candles before the Buddha's altar in your previous life.
Effect : Why in this-life you are dumb and deaf ?
Cause : Because you have vituperated you parent in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the previous life, you frequently scold your own parents or virtuous people, or create unrest among others, with your words, thus you are dumb and deaf in this life, or frequently suffer from ulcers or mouth-related diseases.
Effect : Why in this-life you are hunch back ?
Cause : Because you jeered at Buddha's followers in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, when you see followers bowing to Buddha, you jeered at them. Hence when you meet with anybody or situation, you should be careful in what you say and use a positive attitude to face it, to prevent you from gaining bad karma due to a moment's foray.
Effect : Why in this-life you have disabled hands ?
Cause : Because You have committed evils with your hands in your previous life.
Cause: Because you beat your parents in your previous life.
Elaboration: Your parents provided for you, thus you have to be gratitude towards them. If children beat up their parents, their sins will be multiplied. Upon death, they will first go to hell for punishment, hence their hands are distorted or disabled in this life.
Effect : Why in this-life you have lame-legs ?
Cause : Because you were a robber in you previous life.
Cause: Because you purposely broke the bridge in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the past, the process of building a bridge is a long and tedious one. The bridge belongs to public property. Hence, if you purposely break the bridge, you are also breaking other's efforts and giving inconvenience to others, or causing others to be in the danger or falling, thus sowing bad karma in the process.
Effect : Why in this-life you are born as a horse or an ox ?
Cause : Because you have never paid your debts in your previous life.
Elaboration: In the previous life, you did not follow the five precepts (against killing living beings, against taking what is not give or stealing, against sexual misconduct, against false speech, and against use of intoxicating drink or drugs), and intentionally not repaying your debts, cheating others of their wealth. Hence, in this life, you will be reborn as a horse or ox, to bear the burden of your debtors by becoming their modes of transport, and selling your flesh to repay your debts.
Effect : Why in this-life you are born as a pig or dog ?
Cause : Because you have deceived and harmed others in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you did not practise the five precepts and frequently try to deceive or cheat people, hence you are reborn as a pig or dog to repay your debtors.
Effect : Why in this-life you suffer from constant illness ?
Cause : Because you have offered flesh (meat) to monks in you previous life.
Cause: Because your gloat on other people's misfortune in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you like to kill beings, and torture animals, or gloat when you see others falling ill or suffering from misfortune. Instead of helping them, you are happy that there will be one less competitor because of their suffering, thus accumulating this bad karma.
Effect : Why in this-life you are healthy ?
Cause : Because you have offered medicine to cure the sick people in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you like to provide medicine to people who are sick, hence letting the sick get better. In this life, you will reap the rewards of the good karma, and enjoy good health.
Effect : Why in this-life you are imprisoned ?
Cause : Because you have relentlessly committed evils in your previous life.
Cause: Because you did not help those you witness that's in trouble.
Elaboration: If you commit a crime in this life and is thrown into prison, this is considered as present punishment. But if you are wronged, or being sucked in unwittedly, and jailed, this is the karma of your previous life. For example, you saw someone being famed, but you did not stand out to help them, causing the man to be imprisoned. This will also cause bad karma.
Effect : Why in this-life you are starved to death ?
Cause : Because you have plugged snake-pits and mouse-holes in your previous life.
Cause: Because you jeer at beggars in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you did not do enough charity. When you see beggers, you jeer or ignore them. Hence, in this life, nobody will help you, and thus you die of starvation.
Effect : Why in this-life you die of poison ?
Cause : Because you intentionally poisoned a river or water-source in your previous life.
Elaboration: You intentionally poisoned a water source to poison beings, whether is it to poison fishes or human, so long the intention and deed is done, you suffer the same fate. However, if you frequently cleanse the environment to reduce pollutants, this bad karma can be reduced.
Effect : Why in this-life you are forlorn and friendless ?
Cause : Because you were unfaithful and deceitful to others in your previous life.
Cause: Because you plot to harm others in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, when you see others having a warm and happy family, or enjoy wealth, you will be greedy, and try to plot to get their money, hence causing the family to have conflicts or deaths amongst them. Hence in this life, you will be poor and lonely.
Effect : Why in this-life you are born as a dwarf ?
Cause : Because you have read and written sutra on the floor in your previous life.
Cause: Because you look down on servants in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you look down on the three treasures (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), and jeer at small built people, or look down on poor people, hence you are born as a dwarf.
Effect : Why in this-life you spew blood ?
Cause : Because you have eaten meat while praying in you previous life.
Cause: Because you try to create discord among others.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you frequently create discord among family and friends, causing them to be enemies, and leading to sickness or spew blood. Hence in this life, you will suffer the same fate.
Effect : Why in this-life you are deaf ?
Cause : Because you have attended Buddhist instructions with levity in you previous life.
Elaboration: You have heard about Buddhism teachings in your previous life, but chose not to believe in it, and obstruct others from following, causing them to lose the opportunity to learn and practice Buddhism. It may be also caused by turning a deaf ear to your parents, or harming others hearing.
Effect : Why in this-life you are afflicted with ulcers ?
Cause : Because you have offered meat before the Buddha's altar in your previous life.
Cause: Because you tortured animals in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your past life, you are fierce and cruel. You frequently bully the weak, or hit animals like cats, dogs, pigs, cow, sheep, causing them to be hurt badly and suffer from their wounds. In this life, you will be afflicted with ulcers and suffer from pain.
Effect : Why in this-life you have bad bodily odor ?
Cause : Because you have sold incense with dishonesty in your previous life.
Cause: Because you are jealous of others achievements in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you get jealous of others achievements, their fame, fortune and popularity, and cannot stand others being better than you.
Effect : Why in this-life you die by hanging yourself ?
Cause : Because you hunted animals by using ropes and nets in your previous life.
Cause: Because you benefit yourself by harming others in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you frequently benefit yourself by harming others. When others lose the will to live, and hanged themselves, you took the opportunity to benefit yourself, or cause others to hang themselves, thus reaping this bad karma.
Effect : Why in this-life you are bereft of a spouse ?
Cause : Because you have been unduly envious and jealous in your previous life.
Cause: Because you do not love your spouse and children in your previous life.
Elaboration: If you do not treasure the people around you, or is unkind towards them, frequently abusing your spouse and kids, the good karma from your previous life will diminish very quickly, and your family will leave you, leaving you to be lonely when you grow old.
Effect : Why in this-life you are struck by lightning or burnt by fire ?
Cause : Because you have committed dishonest trading with customers in your previous life.
Cause: Because you accuse monks of not spreading the correct Buddhism in your previous life.
Elaboration: By accusing monks of not spreading the true Buddhism, you have caused yourself to lose the merits, thus landing yourself in hell after death. Hence in this life, you will be struck by lightning or be burnt.
Effect : Why in this-life you are wounded by beasts or snakes ?
Cause : Because you have created enemies in your previous life.
Elaboration: In your previous life, you have done wrong to another being. The wronged party made a revenge vow at their death bed, and this hatred lead them to be born as a fearsome beast in this life, who will seek you out and wound you.
Whether you reaped or you sowed ......
Effect : If you suffer in hell, blame yourself for what you did in your previous life.
Cause : If you in this-life recite the cause and effect sutra.
Effect : You will be respected by many people in your next life.
Cause : If you in this-life print and distribute the Cause and Effect Sutra free to all ......
Effect : You will become a leader to humanity in your next life.
Cause : If you doubt that eating vegetarian is cultivating charity.
Effect : Witness the happy and prosperous people around you.
Cause : It is good to cultivate giving to the Triple Gems.
Effect : You will be rewarded in return ......
Cause : If you carry the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : You will be free from disaster and calamity.
Cause : Do not think that the Cause and Effect is fallacious.
Effect : It will manifest either immediately of later in your life ......
Cause : If you spread the truth of the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : You will be wise and intelligent in life-after-life.
Cause : You are a Minister or an Officer in this-life ......
Effect : You gain the fruits because you cultivated with pains in your previous life.
Cause : If you in this-life insult the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : You are no longer a human being in your next life.
Cause : If in this-life you transcribe the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : The generations will be smart scholars and lived happily.
Cause : If you recite and act according to the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : Whatever you do will be witnessed by the Buddha and Bodhisattva.
Cause : It is impossible to exhaust the speaking of the Law of Cause and Effect.
Effect : The fruit of a good deed will come in due course ......
Cause and Effect : The good cause you have accomplished in you previous life will be the foundation of your good fortune.
Cause and Effect : The good seeds you have planted in this-life will give you good fruits in your next-life.
Cause : If you doubt the efficacy of Cause and Effect ......
Effect : See how Maugalyayana could save his mother from suffering.
The Cause and Effect must not be treated as a small matter.
The Buddha's words are truth, you must not slight.
Cause : If people deeply believe in the Cause and Effect Sutra ......
Effect : this will bring them together to the land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Buddha Says :
To understand your previous-life, Look at what you have in you present-life.
To have a preview of your next-life, Examine your daily act in this life.
*Past Karmas determined your present destiny.
*Present Karmas will mould your next-life.
Author's Note (for Cause and Effect Sutra):
I was born with a heart defect. As a child, I went through a major heart surgery to correct this defect, and recently went through my second major heart surgery to replace a leaking valve, and perhaps face more surgeries in future to replace the valve that'll be worn out in time.
Though I'm able to lead a relatively normal life, I began to wonder why I have to face these pain and suffering in this lifetime, and what I may have done in my previous life to cause me to suffer these. After reading the Cause and Effect Sutra, it gave me a glimpse of what I could have done in my past life, and how I can improve in my next life.
I hope by sharing, in this easy-to-read context, it can help you to gain some enlightenment too. Whether you are a believer of Buddhism, the cause and effect sutra will encourage one to do good deeds, for the benefit of yourself and living beings around you.
Please feel free to introduce to anyone who will find this website beneficial.
We welcome all feedbacks for the improvement of this website.
Amitabha
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Author's Note (for Kuan Yin lots prediction):
When we were still carrying our first child in 2008, we decided to set up this website to make it more convenient for ourselves and others to do their fortune prediction from the lots they have gotten at Kuan Yin Temple.
Being a regular patron of Kuan Yin Temple, we frequently have to refer to different books to do our lots prediction. Hence, we have consolidated the explanations from different sources for a clearer and more elaborate divinations of each lot. Please feel free to use this website as frequently as you like, and introduce to others who will find this beneficial.
We welcome all feedbacks for the improvement of this website.
Amitabha
The Merits of Producing Buddhist Teachings and Buddha Images
- One's light karma misgivings will dissolve, while heavy ones lighten.
- One will be protected by divas, and be unharmed by natural and man-made disaster.
- One will always be free from the suffering of hatred and vengeance.
- One will be unharmed by yaksas, evil spirits and wild beasts.
- One's mind will be at peace, free from harm and nightmare.
- One's complexion will be radiant.
- One will be full of auspicious energy.
- One who practices the Karma whole-heartedly will have adequate living necessities.
- One's family will be harmonious and be blessed with fortune and wisdom.
- One who practices what one preaches will be respected and loved by all.
- One who is dull-minded will gain wisdom.
- One who is ill will gain health.
- One who is poor will gain wealth.
- One who is female will be born male in future lives if one wishes to.
- One will be free of being reborn in the negative realms.
- One will be able to help others grow in wisdom and gain great merit in doing so.
- One will always be able to learn the Karma, till one's wisdom and spiritual penetrations are fully grown and becomes a Buddha.
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