Читать книгу The Buddha Book: Buddhas, blessings, prayers, and rituals to grant you love, wisdom, and healing - Lillian Too - Страница 22

Buddhism is both simple and profound. On a daily basis it advocates watching the mind so that all thoughts, actions, and words manifest a kind and compassionate attitude toward all others. It is the loving heart that places others above self. Herein lies the ultimate wisdom of existence. When you understand that the existence of all things, all beings, and all concepts is empty except in relation to other things, beings, and concepts, then you will be close to becoming awakened, so crossing into a state of permanent happiness.

When you succeed in eliminating ignorance and replacing it with real wisdom, suffering comes to an end, because in understanding the true nature of existence you are no longer bound by the illusions of samsara. You awaken and escape the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

When there is no end to samsara, then life and death are governed entirely by the laws of karma, so existence is a never-ending cycle of continuous rebirth in the Six Realms of Existence (see here). The quality of your rebirth and the realm into which you are reborn are determined by your karmic score card. It is karma – the law of cause and effect – that gives life its moral code. The Buddha thus advised doing everything to create good karma, for this has the power to propel you into a rebirth in circumstances that are conducive to practicing Dharma, thereby having the chance to attain enlightenment. Practicing Dharma means showing generosity, having a good heart, purifying negative karma, and creating good karma. It also means embarking on the spiritual path that leads to enlightenment.

There are three types of karma: karma that you create and see its result in this life; karma that you create and see its result in your next life; and karma that you create and see its result after many lifetimes.

LAMA KYABJE ZOPA RINPOCHE

Fresco showing the Six Realms of Existence. Rebirth in the human realm is considered to be most conducive to the practice of Dharma – Buddha’s teachings which show the path to enlightenment.