[816]
That even gods may fall
is a powerful reminder
that merely doing good
is not good enough.
[817]
When generalised compassion for ‘all’
forgoes compassion for individuals,
how can it be universal compassion?
[818]
How you think conditions how you speak later.
How you speak conditions how you think later.
[819]
To not regret
over the regretable
is regretable.
[820]
Whether we realise this or not,
we are interconnected.
When we realise this,
we can interconnect more fruitfully.
[821]
How truly good can Parinirvana be
if it is to be truly gone for ‘good’?
[822]
If one clings to the relative forms of all phenomena,
one neglects the absolute emptiness of all phenomena.
One makes forms an eternalistic dogma,
and forgoes the wisdom of practising non-attachment [of the transient].
If one clings to the absolute emptiness of all phenomena,
one neglects the relative forms of all phenomena.
One makes emptiness a nihilistic dogma,
and forgoes the compassion of practising virtues [and precepts].
The Middle Path is to perceive relative and absolute reality simultaneously
and to function accordingly in each moment,
without negligence of forms or emptiness,
with compassion and wisdom.
[823]
When past karma ripens in the present,
new karma is created by how one responds,
which affects the direction of past karma,
and creates the direction of future karma.
[824]
With aversion of failure, one does not try.
With attachment to failure, one does not retry.
[825]
Greater positive karma
can overpower lesser negative karma in the moment.
Greater negative karma
can overpower lesser positive karma in the moment.
Which kind of karma are you empowering in the moment?