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“When your mind is in a state of true love, compassion, and wisdom, and that reflects into action through your body or speech, those activities are known as “good deeds,” or “good karma.” Good karma makes everyone happy—including you. It is positive and comfortable, as well as harmonious and peaceful. It brings truth and honesty, which naturally follow thoughts of love, kindness, and compassion. It all comes naturally and beautifully.
When the mind is in a state of anger, jealousy, attachment, or hatred, and it is reflected physically or verbally, that is known as “bad karma.” It is bad because it hurts others, including you. It makes everyone uncomfortable and the whole environment unpleasant. When we’re caught up in negative emotions and thoughts, many other negativities follow one after another, like deception and cheating.
So, good karma and bad karma are both produced by mind, and when we look deeper, we discover that there is no such thing as substantially existing good karma or bad karma. It is all like an illusion, or magic. Yet even though it is magical and illusory, it still affects other illusory beings, as well as our own magical, illusory self.”
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Forthcoming: The Seven Nails: The Final Testament of the Great Dzogchen Master Shri Singha (pg 52)
Photo of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche at Padma Samye Ling in 2014.
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