If one believes ‘I, am an individual, I am existing’, then it is proper to accept the theory that on account of egoism, the attachment to the body, one certainly has to do the two kinds of karma [good and bad] and to experience their fruits.
It is only the results of one’s good and bad actions done in the past that result in one’s present life as one’s pleasures and pains, and also as one’s friends and mighty foes, who are the instrumental cause for them.
Do not perform any good action through a bad means, with the thought that ‘It is sufficient if it bears good fruit’. Remember that if the means are bad, even a good action will turn out to be a bad one. Therefore, even the means of doing good actions should be pure.
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Pay no attention to the faults of others,
things done or left undone by others.
Consider only what by oneself is done or left undone
-The Dhammapada
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We all have probably heard the saying “count your blessings”, but do we actually take the time to do so, besides a token ‘giving thanks’ at Thanksgiving? An excellent way to feel better is to actively count your blessings throughout the day whether they be large or small. For example, “I am blessed to have good shelter, I am blessed to have plenty to eat, I am blessed to be healthy, I am blessed to have a loving family.” We can also be blessed to see the beautiful blue sky, to see the branches dancing in the wind, for our walking on this earth, and many, many others. We have so much to feel blessed for and counting them and reciting them daily gives one a feeling of gratitude and positive feelings.
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