Description
2 MP3s recorded as part of the 2025 Madison Teaching Visit on Common Sense and Buddhism
Advertising description: Karma is one of Buddhism’s most well-known teachings, yet it is often misunderstood. Is karma fixed, or can it be changed? Through the lens of common sense, this teaching will examine how karma actually works—not as fate or superstition, but as the natural unfolding of cause and effect in our lives. Drawing on her book How to Change Your Karma, Rinpoche will show how reasoning and everyday wisdom reveal karma’s flexibility: our present choices shape our future. Far from something to fear, karma becomes a source of empowerment and hope, offering practical tools for cultivating and transforming our life.
Teaching Descriptions:
Part 1
Rinpoche is offering commentary on her book Chapter 6 Four Laws of karma. She begins with a discussion on how karma was taught in Tibet as harsh retribution and the West as scientific cause and effect. She discusses Modification of karma and preventing karmic consequences from previous lives and how to change it. We think we are in a Logical world ruled by scientific principles but we are not that objective. We are ruled by our emotions and need Laws to protect us from being disruptive. Rinpoche leads a discussion of 1. “What are the causes? How similar or different from conditions?”. 2. What are the characteristics of a political law? Laws for safety? She then discusses the Immutable laws of karma as reality to manifestation to ordinary mind operation.
Part 2
Rinpoche discusses the 4 laws of karma. 1. Karma and its results are certain and unfailing. The results are similar to the cause at all times. 2. Karma expands. 3. No results come without a cause. 4. Once an action is done, the result is never lost. She discusses the errors we have based on Christianity basis. We have a systemic issue to overcome with I take responsibility for my actions. Importance to not disturb my mind and anger, so we look at how we do something. She discusses dininitve nature of karma. Break out group Discussion 1. When hearing karma is definite, how would a person with Lower morals and standards think of it? 2. Average morals – sometimes virtuous and not virtuous. 3. Cultivated moral standards and abides in them as a life method. She offers more commentary on point one and two about karma.
