Developing conviction in karma

• What it means to have faith of conviction in karma
• The four principles of karma
  • Happiness comes from virtue, unhappiness comes form nonvirtue
  • From small virtues and nonvirtues great happiness and suffering will arise
  • You don’t experience the results of what you have not done
  • Performed karma does not go wasted
• The ten nonvirtuous pathways of action
• The four branches of a complete karma
• The four parts of the nonvirtue of killing
• We have to be careful of what we rejoice in because we will accumulate karma

Gomchen Lamrim 24: Conviction in karma and the four principles of karma (download)

Contemplation points

1. What is “faith of conviction” or “convictional faith?” Why is it beneficial on the spiritual path?
2. Why is an understanding of karma and its effects so important?
3. Think of ways in which you very much believe in the law of cause and effect in your every day life. Why do you think its so hard for us then to act in line with ethical cause and effect (karma)?
4. Explain the difference between morality in theistic religions vs. Buddhism. Why is it important for us to understand the difference?
5. Describe the four characteristics of karma. Make examples of how you’ve seen them operate in your own life.
6. What are the three branches of a complete action (sometimes it is described as four branches). How might a deeper awareness of these affect how you interact with others?
7. Describe the branches for a complete action of killing. Think of different situations where one of the branches might not be complete for the act of killing? If the action is not complete with all branches, does the person still create karma? Why or why not?