What makes human beings different from all other species in the world? We have the ability to reason. When a crime occurs, we attempt to collect data from the past in trying to solve the crime. When there is a car accident, we try to recreate the accident in trying to solve who was at fault. We attempt to find the cause of the effect. Yet when it comes to suffering and obstacles that we face, we refuse to believe that these could be caused by our past actions. We often blame others for our sufferings. Why is it so difficult to believe in causality?
Many of us have a difficulty finding fault within. It is difficult to admit that we have sinned. How has an innocent child sinned? Why do I suffer when I know I have been generous and good? Why do the evil prosper, is there no causality for them? These are the questions that may obscure the understanding of causality.
The answer to understanding causality may be reincarnation. Many of the effects may not sprout until our next lives. But why would God place a shield separating the cause and effect? If God would punish immediately after the evil action, the person would not perpetrate further evil due to fear. The fear of retribution will prevent the evil action. It is like a tyrant who rules his people. Fear prevents his people from committing crimes; the actions do not come from the heart.
When people are able to understand causality, they will realize that the removal of evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) will bring forth joy in the future. Suffering and obstacles are a result of our past actions. If we confront them and accept them without blaming others, we can bring forth joy in the future. Causality gives everyone the opportunity to have joy in the future. But without understanding causality, these suffering or obstacles can continue to bring upon our negative responses of evil (greed, arrogance, and self love). The evil responses will by the principle of causality bring upon suffering in our next lives, and the cycle of suffering continues in the world. In one of our sacred books, there is a quote about the sufferings and joys in the world:
Look at how causality (suffering or joy) is working in the world, and you will see the journey (cause) taken before. January 30, 1892 Instructions (Osashizu)
Many of us see suffering and joy but we do not understand their cause.
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