BuddhismSutra-obooko-mind0029
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modern buddhism<br />
including our Spiritual Teacher. This is how we go for refuge<br />
to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Through this we shall<br />
accomplish our aim – permanent liberation from all the<br />
sufferings of this life and countless future lives, the real meaning<br />
of our human life.<br />
To maintain our promise to go for refuge to Buddha,<br />
Dharma and Sangha throughout our life, and so that we and all<br />
living beings may receive Buddha’s blessings and protection,<br />
we recite the following refuge prayer every day with strong<br />
faith:<br />
I and all sentient beings, until we achieve enlightenment,<br />
Go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.<br />
WHAT IS KARMA?<br />
The purpose of understanding and believing in karma is to<br />
prevent future suffering and to establish the basic foundation<br />
for the path to liberation and enlightenment. Generally, karma<br />
means ‘action’. From non-virtuous actions comes suffering<br />
and from virtuous actions comes happiness: if we believe this,<br />
we believe in karma. Buddha gave extensive teachings that<br />
prove the truth of this statement, and many different examples<br />
that show the special connection between the actions of our<br />
former lives and our experiences of this life, some of which are<br />
explained in Joyful Path of Good Fortune.<br />
In our previous lives we performed various kinds of nonvirtuous<br />
actions that caused others suffering. As a result of<br />
these non-virtuous actions, various kinds of miserable conditions<br />
and situations arise and we experience endless human<br />
suffering and problems. This is the same for all other living<br />
beings.<br />
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