For those who read the Bible, they will discover that this type of 'work' is actually a work of God and of obedience on one's part in obeying God's Word. The Holy Spirit is indwelling a follower of Jesus Christ aiding them in that obedience. The follower chooses to obey, or not. They are not forced, but those helps are there at their instant beck and call. Resolve and perseverance in sustaining positive choice will help 'override' human fickleness. However, the credit goes to God our Father, whom we honor and obey and love and with whom we can have that Father-child/friend relationship.
Sri Dhammananda believes that our station of birth does have bearing on karma. For instance, was one born into a wealthy family and/or one of royalty? The person of mental &/or physical impairment would be treated better if he or she were born into a royal family rather than into a plebeian one.
Appearance can often affect how a person is treated. Think about whether a person is ugly and rich, or handsome and poor. There may be some help for them each but the ugly one may well be the one to 'win' a girl's heart, not by his looks but by what he has in his pocket. However the poor chap may be able to improve his station in life through a better job opportunity due to his looks (pages 120-121).
Putting in good effort is another factor that can help someone change their karma, says Sri Dhammananda. For example, that old story of the guy sitting in his house which is burning down around him. He's sitting in his lazy boy chair in his living room praying and pleading with all he's got in him for God to rescue him and his house. Yes, God could have made it rain in torrents but why didn't the guy call the fire department on his way out the door? I think there is some truth in the saying, "God helps those who help themselves". Yet the lazy boy guy had misplaced effort.
Sri Dhammananda says on page 121...
"Effort or intelligence is perhaps the most important of all the factors that affect the working of karma. Without effort, both worldly and spiritual progress is impossible. If we do not make the effort to cure our disease, or to save ourselves from difficulties, or to strive with diligence for progress, then evil karma will find a suitable opportunity to manifest its due effects. However, if we endeavor to surmount difficulties and problems, our good karma will come to help."
We can have all the effort, intelligence, appearance and high rank in society there is and it can and will benefit one throughout their life, yet what is your true goal? Attempting to change our own karma can only go so far. There is a point in which we have to acknowledge, "I need help", "I can't do this alone anymore!" Ultimately, in the end, we need to accept God's help. In this we cannot save ourselves except to accept His help. He is the one who can and has carried the weight of our bad deeds and fallen sinful nature.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 KJV).
Think back to the story of David the shepherd boy in the book of 1 Samuel and chapter 16. Go have a read; it's very interesting. David had many older brothers who were so much better looking than he. That fooled the prophet Samuel but it sure didn't fool God. Finally, when Samuel had run out of Jesse's sons that were passed before him, Samuel, I imagine, must have been scratching his head, "Hmm, God sent me here to anoint one of the many sons yet He didn't indicate any of these and they are so very tall and handsome. Well, maybe there is another hiding away somewhere." Jesse, at last, admitted there was still one more son. A son of insignificance to the big older brothers and apparently even in the father's thinking. (The baby of the family?!! He's only good for looking after the sheep.) Samuel had to learn, as do we, that God looks at the heart, not at the appearance as man does (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
The apostle James addresses this appearance issue when he tells the people to be no respecter of persons. Don't treat the rich brother differently than the poorer one by offering a better place to sit to the rich brother (see James 2:3).
Human nature will be biased to what they may consider "better" but in God's eyes we are to treat each with the same unconditional love. After all, to prove His love and care, God sent Jesus to earn salvation for the "whosoever will" (see John 3:16) so that all may have equal opportunity of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, relationship with God Himself through Jesus and that eternity living with no more evil, unwholesome desires or actions that lead to suffering; no more suffering. What a glorious end that never ends!
This is God helping those who help themselves. This is God's sovereignty and man's responsibility working in tandem. The analogy of train tracks is such that a train cannot run without both rails. So God engages our intelligence and our effort in such scenarios of the aforementioned lazy boy chair guy. Do what one can to save oneself in everyday living as you pray for God's help and intervention on your behalf. But for eternal security, go to God and accept His offer of salvation.
The fickleness of mankind and his bad, unwholesome deeds and actions will never annul that salvation once received. That which is God-given is secure. He will never ever take it back even when we do wrong. In this our end "karma" cannot change. God is holding our salvation securely in His hands and Jesus's hands are wrapped around that too, holding us tightly. No one, not even our own selves, can snatch us out of His hands (see John 14:28-30; Isaiah 41:13).
Here are some more questions that are commonly asked. Why does good happen to the wicked people? Why does bad happen to the good people?
Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda says (pages 121-122) the wicked person likely did something good in a previous life while the good person must have done something bad. In their present life the consequences are coming out (experienced); that's the karma of it. Seems unfair. And so one really does have to depend on someone outside of themselves; perhaps many previous someones, to do what is right and good, so that in the this life of a person or creature, there will be a better life with less suffering.
This 'karma' Sri Dhammananda explains is a
"force or form of energy that ...is like wind or fire...stored up and..." (pages 122-123)
basically, just happens at random. You never know when, where or how it will strike. He goes on to say on page 127...
"Generally speaking, whatever good and bad deeds people commit within this life-time, they will definitely experience the reaction within this life or hereafter. It is impossible to escape from their results simply by praying, but only by cultivating the mind and leading a noble life."
Will one ever be able to reach Buddhahood and/or Nirvana?
Definitely there are consequences to the things we do; whether for good or for bad. Maybe to ourselves and maybe also to our family members and/or to others even to subsequent generations. Just think of the gambler who dies still in deep debt. What predicament does he leave his family in? Poverty? In danger of recrimination from those owed?
Yes, a noble life would leave a much better legacy for all involved.
Again, look at the far surpassing legacy Jesus left for one and all, for the "whoever". Think about it. What Jesus did more than 2000 years ago through His death and resurrection is still just as good an offer as it was way back then. Won't you change your 'karma' by accepting His gift of salvation? It would be a done deal, so to speak, and a sure reality. You can have this in the present and will tide you over for all your future well being all the way into and throughout all eternity.
Jesus is the One, and only perfect, spotless, sinless One who is eligible to eradicate our selfishness and conflicts of desires and unwholesomeness of mind. In Him we can experience peace and happiness even despite the manifold difficulties of life.
To become a follower of Jesus Christ to gain a place in heaven is NOT to do good deeds to earn that place BUT to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and then do good deeds, which were ordained by God in advance, for us to do to serve Him and that out of gratitude for Him (Ephesians 2:10).
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV).
We may still be fickle, but Jesus is the Anchor of the soul on whom we can depend. He'll bring us safely and securely to our Heavenly Home: spirit, soul and new incorruptible body; justified and sanctified. Selfishness gone. Unwholesomeness gone. Unsatisfactoriness gone. Desires, except to please Him, gone.
I look forward to that.
~ERC 2018~
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