Budda and the 12 Laws of Karma

Buddha and the 12 Laws of Karma:

Here are the 12 Laws of Karma with relevant Buddha quotations from The Dhammapada and explanations of how each quote relates to the particular law:

1. The Great Law: Whatever we put into the Universe will come back to us.
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts." (Dhammapada, Verse 1)
Explanation: This quote directly relates to the Great Law, emphasizing that our thoughts and actions shape our reality and ultimately determine what we experience in life.

2. The Law of Creation: Life does not happen by itself; we need to make it happen.
"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world." (Dhammapada, Verse 1)
Explanation: The Law of Creation suggests that we actively participate in shaping our lives, and this quote reinforces the idea that our thoughts create our reality.

3. The Law of Humility: One must accept something in order to change it.
"One is not noble who harms living beings. By not harming living beings, one is called noble." (Dhammapada, Verse 270)
Explanation: Accepting the inherent value of all living beings is an essential aspect of humility. This quote encourages us to embrace non-violence and respect for life, which can lead to personal growth and change.

4. The Law of Growth: When we change ourselves our lives change too.
"As a flower that is lovely and beautiful, but is scentless, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who practices it not." (Dhammapada, Verse 51)
Explanation: This quote emphasizes the importance of putting our knowledge and understanding into practice. As we grow and change through our actions, our lives transform as well.

5. The Law of Responsibility: We must take responsibility for what is in our lives.
"The evil a witless man does by himself, born of himself and produced by himself, grinds him as a diamond grinds a hard gem." (Dhammapada, Verse 161)
Explanation: The Law of Responsibility reminds us that we are accountable for our actions and their consequences. This quote illustrates how our negative actions can have severe repercussions on ourselves.

6. The Law of Connection: The past, present and future are all connected.
"For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule." (Dhammapada, Verse 5)
Explanation: This quote suggests that our actions have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the present moment. By choosing love over hatred, we can create a more positive future that is connected to our present actions.

7. The Law of Focus: We cannot think of two different things at a same time.
"As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind." (Dhammapada, Verse 13)
Explanation: The Law of Focus emphasizes the importance of single-minded attention. This quote uses the metaphor of an ill-thatched house to illustrate how a lack of focus can allow unwanted influences to enter our minds.

8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality: Our behavior should match our thoughts and actions.
"Generosity, kind words, doing a good turn for others, and treating all people alike: these bonds of sympathy are to the world what the linchpin is to the chariot wheel." (Dhammapada, Verse 5-6)
Explanation: This quote encourages us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with kindness and generosity, which is the essence of the Law of Giving and Hospitality.

9. The Law of Here and Now: We cannot be present if we are looking backward.
"The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There's only one moment for you to live." (Dhammapada, Verse 348)
Explanation: The Law of Here and Now reminds us to focus on the present moment. This quote directly addresses the importance of letting go of the past and not being preoccupied with the future, as the present is the only time we truly have.

10. The Law of Change: History repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path.
"There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires." (Dhammapada, Verse 39)
Explanation: This quote suggests that by releasing our attachments and desires, we can overcome fear and break free from the cyclical patterns that keep us stuck. Learning and personal growth enable us to change our path.

11. The Law of Patience and Reward: The most valuable rewards require persistence.
"Let a man overcome anger by love, let him overcome evil by good; let him overcome the greedy by liberality, the liar by truth." (Dhammapada, Verse 223)
Explanation: Overcoming negative qualities requires patience and persistence. This quote encourages us to meet challenges with love, goodness, generosity, and truth, which ultimately leads to the most valuable rewards.

12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration: Rewards are a direct result of the energy and effort we put into it.
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage." (Dhammapada, Verse 1)
Explanation: This quote directly relates to the Law of Significance and Inspiration, emphasizing that the energy and effort we put into our thoughts and actions will determine the rewards or consequences we experience in life.