Question asked by Eli Levine
Good evening! I hope all is well. I was wondering how one determines what their present karmic state is and how to determine and understand what could happen in the future. I have asked several people about this and have found it difficult to interpret their answers (which is also a mystery in and of itself). How can I know me in this present lifetime? What can I do to help humanity and the universe be better?
Thank you very much. Hopefully you'll be able to help.
Thank you.
Dear Eli Levine,
We can determine our present karmic state by examining our actions of body, speech and mind. Are they virtuous or non-virtuous or a mixture of both? The Buddha taught that we will go to the upper realms (God, Demi-God and Human) if we have been virtuous and to the lower realms (Animal, Hungry Ghost and Hell)if non-virtuous. Thus, by looking at our present life, we can assess inferentially where we will be reborn in our next life. If we have a mixture of virtuous and non-virtuous karma, the stronger will ripen first. If both types are equally strong, the type we are most familiar with will ripen first. To answer your question, “How can I know me in this present lifetime?”, just ask yourself, “Am I a kind person? Is my life meaningful? Am I happy?” If the answer is “no”, then you will have to modify your behaviour to make yourself a kind and happy person who brings peace and happiness to others. To help humanity and the universe be better, you have to be better first. To bring peace and happiness to others, one needs to have peace and happiness in oneself. Good luck to you. I hope you will find your life’s goal.