🙏 Questions on Karma and Retribution: Teachings from Master Chin Kung
Master Chin Kung offers profound insights into karma and retribution, using real-life examples and ancient wisdom to guide those on the spiritual path. This Q&A article answers many of the most asked questions on karma and retribution, offering clear Buddhist principles to help us understand, transform, and transcend karmic burdens.
📘 Part One
🌟 I. Can a Business Owner with Karmic Ties Still Take Refuge?
Q: A person runs a frozen wholesale business but does not directly engage in killing. Though the business has grown significantly, he no longer manages it. He now leads a simple life, does good deeds, and practices Buddhism. Can he still take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)?
A: Yes. Taking refuge means returning to the path of compassion and wisdom. Intention matters most. The fortunes enjoyed in this life often stem from past karma and retribution. As Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons teaches: “Every sip and every morsel is predestined.”
The scriptures explain two forms of karmic retribution:
- Directing Karma: Determines your rebirth among the ten realms. Family karma appears in four forms:
- Repaying Gratitude: The child is virtuous and respectful
- Repaying Grievances: The child causes hardship
- Debt Collection: The child takes from the parents and leaves
- Debt Repayment: The child helps materially but lacks affection
- Accumulated Karma: Blessings in this life—such as wealth, wisdom, or health—come from acts like:
- Wealth Giving → financial abundance
- Dharma Giving → increased wisdom
- Fearless Giving → health and longevity
Even with limited past merit, sincere effort in the present—especially for three continuous years—can begin to transform karma and retribution.
🌿 II. Can Merit Be Dedicated on Behalf of Another?
Q: My grandson lacks religious faith. He studies biology and performs animal experiments. He gives me 50 yuan monthly to dedicate merit on his behalf. Is this okay?
A: Yes. Dedicating merit through animal release or other good deeds is a compassionate way to reduce karmic consequences. Since he may not yet understand karmic effects, this act can help him avoid heavier retribution.
Killing—especially abortion—creates serious karmic consequences and affects family relationships:
- Repaying Gratitude becomes resentment
- Repaying Grievances intensifies hostility
- Debt Collection turns into karmic imbalance
- Debt Repayment becomes a lost opportunity
Thus, abortion is strongly discouraged in Buddhism.
🔮 III. Can Buddhists Use Divination Tools?
Q: I use the “Wooden Wheel” from the Karma Sutra to perform divination. Is this acceptable in Buddhism?
A: Yes—if done sincerely. Divination can reflect the Buddha’s compassion when paired with ethical conduct. However, true practice must prioritize chanting and mindfulness over reliance on tools.
The Avalokitesvara Response Manual recommends reciting Guanyin’s name 1,000 times before divining. Sincerity clears the mind and aligns actions with the Dharma.
👻 IV. Do Vengeful Spirits Avoid Retribution?
Q: Master Wuda was followed by a vengeful spirit for ten lifetimes. Do such spirits escape karmic retribution?
A: No. Even spirits are bound by karma and retribution. Their prolonged suffering stems from unresolved resentment. Only when karmic debts are repaid can liberation occur.
🔥 V. Do Souls in Avici Hell Remain Forever?
Q: Are souls in Avici Hell stuck there forever? If so, wouldn’t the number of sentient beings decline?
A: No. The cycle of rebirth across vast realms continues due to collective karma. Avici Hell is not eternal—it endures until karmic retribution is fulfilled.
📜 VI. What if I Burned Buddhist Scriptures Unknowingly?
Q: After my mother passed, I burned Buddhist texts hoping she’d receive them. I later learned this is disrespectful. What should I do?
A: If done without ill intent, it is a mistake rather than a sin. Still, even unintentional acts carry karmic weight. Sincere repentance and continued practice help restore merit.
🧭 VII. How to Leave a Harmful Business Without Funds?
Q: A layperson sells pork but wants to stop. He lacks the means to leave his business. What can he do?
A: Awareness of karmic consequences is already a vital first step. If immediate withdrawal is difficult, reduce harm where possible and plan a shift to a non-violent livelihood—like a vegetarian business.
🧘♂️ VIII. Overcoming Obstacles in Practice Through Merit Dedication
Q: I face obstacles while chanting. Friends say to dedicate merit to others first. But I worry—what if I fail?
A: Not all barriers come from karma; some arise from distraction or lack of clarity. But sincere merit dedication, especially to karmic creditors, helps dissolve deep-rooted karmic blockages.
🪷 Conclusion: Transforming Karma Through Practice and Compassion
This Q&A on karma and retribution demonstrates the power of the Dharma to change lives. Master Chin Kung reminds us that:
- 💎 Karma governs all conditions
- 🌱 Destiny is not fixed—it can be transformed
- 🙏 Merit can help others—even those unaware
- 🧘 Sincere practice purifies karmic debts
- 🌍 Compassion builds a harmonious future
Let us act with mindfulness, repentance, and unwavering compassion. Through our thoughts, speech, and deeds, we shape our own liberation.
“Resolve karma with sincerity. Practice compassion daily. Transform destiny through virtue.”
📘 Part Two
💼 I. Can a Business Owner with Karmic Ties Still Take Refuge?
Q: A person runs a frozen wholesale business but does not directly engage in killing. Though the business has grown significantly, employing over seventy people, he no longer manages it himself. Instead, he leads a simple life, performing charitable acts and practicing Buddhism. Can he now take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)?
A: Yes, he can. Taking refuge means returning to the path, and that intention alone is sufficient. The fortunes one enjoys in this life are often the result of merit cultivated in past lives. As Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons teaches: “Every sip and every morsel is predestined.”
The scriptures explain two forms of karmic retribution:
- Directing Karma: Determines where you are reborn among the ten realms based on adherence to the Five Precepts and Ten Virtuous Deeds. The karmic bonds formed with family fall into four categories:
- Repaying Gratitude: A child will be virtuous and obedient.
- Repaying Grievances: May result in hardship for the family.
- Debt Collection: The child receives financial support but leaves once the debt is repaid.
- Debt Repayment: The child supports the parents but may lack genuine filial respect.
- Accumulated Karma: The blessings of this life—wealth, status, and longevity—are the results of good or bad actions from previous lives. Examples include:
- Wealth Almsgiving: Leads to financial abundance.
- Dharma Giving: Cultivates wisdom and intelligence.
- Fearless Giving: Brings health and longevity.
Even if one’s past cultivation was lacking, it is never too late to transform karma through sincere practice. Within three years of diligent effort, karmic results will manifest, transforming destiny.
🌟 II. Can Merit Be Dedicated on Behalf of Another?
Q: My grandson, who lacks religious faith, studies biology and conducts experiments on small animals. He gives me fifty yuan monthly to dedicate merit on his behalf. Is this acceptable?
A: Yes, dedicating merit by releasing animals on his behalf is a compassionate practice. Since he may not yet understand the karmic consequences of harming life, dedicating merit can reduce the negative effects of his actions.
Killing, including abortion, carries a severe karmic burden, disrupting familial karmic ties. The Buddha teaches four karmic relationships for children:
- Repaying Gratitude
- Repaying Grievances
- Debt Collection
- Debt Repayment
Abortion turns gratitude into resentment, leading to future revenge in subsequent lifetimes. Therefore, abortion is strictly discouraged in Buddhism.
🔮 III. Can Divination Be Used by Buddhists?
Q: I practice divination using the “Wooden Wheel” from the Observations on the Merits and Demerits of Karma Sutra. Is this compatible with Buddhist practice?
A: Yes, when approached with sincerity, divination reflects the Buddha’s compassion. However, true practitioners should prioritize reciting the Buddha’s name over relying on divination.
The Avalokitesvara Response Class suggests reciting Avalokitesvara’s name a thousand times before using divination tools. Sincerity is essential, as it clears the mind of delusions and focuses intentions. Without genuine concentration, neither mantras nor scriptures will yield results.
👻 IV. Can Vengeful Spirits Avoid Retribution?
Q: Master Wuda was followed by a vengeful spirit for ten lifetimes. Do such spirits escape karmic retribution?
A: No, these spirits are not exempt from karmic consequences. A spirit that follows someone for multiple lifetimes is driven by deep resentment, prolonging its existence until its karmic debt is resolved. Encounters with spirits occur due to specific karmic ties.
🔥 V. Do Souls in Avici Hell Remain Forever?
Q: It is said that wicked souls fall into Avici Hell and never emerge. Does this mean the number of sentient beings is gradually decreasing?
A: No, beings continue to be reborn across vast realms due to collective karma. Those without karmic ties to this world will not be reborn here but in other realms. Avici Hell is not eternal—it lasts until karmic debts are fully repaid, after which rebirth occurs.
📜 VI. What if I Burned Buddhist Scriptures Unknowingly?
Q: I burned Buddhist scriptures after my mother passed away, hoping she could take them with her. I’ve since learned this is a serious offense. What should I do?
A: Since the act was done without malicious intent, it is considered an error, not a grave sin. However, even unintended disrespect toward Buddhist texts incurs karmic consequences. Repentance and sincere practice can help rectify the mistake.
💔 VII. How Can Someone Leave a Harmful Business with Limited Funds?
Q: A lay devotee who sells pork wishes to leave his business but lacks the funds. If he doesn’t stop, he fears generating more negative karma. What should he do?
A: His awareness of karmic consequences is already a valuable realization. Ideally, he should leave the trade entirely. If immediate withdrawal is impossible, he should plan to transition into a business that does not involve killing, such as a vegetarian restaurant. Reducing harm wherever possible can also help mitigate future karma.
🙏 VIII. Overcoming Obstacles During Recitation and Dedicating Merit
Q: When facing obstacles during the recitation of the Buddha’s name or trying to focus, fellow practitioners advise me to dedicate my merit to others first. However, I worry that failing to follow through could cause trouble. What should I do?
A: Not all obstacles stem from karma; some result from carelessness or inattentiveness. However, karmic obstacles from previous lives do exist and can manifest when we forget our karmic debts—even if our karmic creditors do not forget.
To resolve karmic debts, dedicate your practice and merit to benefit all beings, including your karmic creditors. When our practice is rooted in selflessness and compassion, karmic debts dissolve naturally.
🪷 Conclusion:
Master Chin Kung’s teachings remind us that karma governs every aspect of life. Through mindful actions, compassion, and repentance, we can:
- Transform our destiny through virtuous deeds.
- Dedicate merit for the benefit of others.
- Resolve karmic debts by cultivating sincerity and compassion.
- Avoid harmful actions and foster harmony in every encounter.
By practicing the Dharma with sincerity, we can purify our karma, alleviate suffering, and create a path toward enlightenment and peace.
📘 Part Three
🧬 IX. The Ethical Implications of Genetic Manipulation
Q: Scientific advances now allow us to alter and transplant genetic material. Are GMOs or cloning practices karmically harmful?
A: Yes. Interfering with nature’s balance risks great karmic consequences. Arrogance toward nature may result in collective downfall, as in past vanished civilizations. The law of karma and retribution ensures all causes bear fruit—no matter how long it takes.
“All phenomena are empty, but karma is not empty.”
🐾 X. Medical Experimentation and Karmic Consequences
Q: I’ve conducted animal experiments during medical research. Does this violate Buddhist precepts?
A: Yes. Taking life for personal or scientific gain creates heavy karmic retribution. Traditional Chinese medicine, which avoids such harm, reflects a more compassionate path grounded in observation and understanding.
👶 XI. Can Abortion and Miscarriage Karma Be Resolved?
Q: I’ve experienced abortion and miscarriage. Can I resolve the karmic ties?
A: Yes. Through sincere repentance, the karma of abortion can be resolved. Dedicate merit, stop harmful actions, and cultivate virtue. The Buddha taught that karmic relationships between parents and children fall into four types—abortion turns gratitude into resentment, worsening future karma.
🌏 XII. Addressing Environmental Challenges from a Buddhist Perspective
Q: How can Buddhist teachings help solve global environmental crises?
A: Environmental disasters are collective karmic consequences rooted in greed, anger, and ignorance. True protection begins with protecting life—practicing compassion, ethical conduct, and humility toward nature.
“The three calamities—war, epidemic, famine—are born of collective karma.”
🪙 XIII. The Difference Between 福德 (Material Merit) and 功德 (Spiritual Merit)
Q: What’s the difference between 福德 and 功德?
A: 福德 is worldly merit tied to ego. 功德 is selfless merit that purifies and frees one from rebirth. Actions without attachment, done with pure intent, produce true spiritual merit.
💬 XIV. Karmic Retribution for Speaking Incorrectly on Dharma
Q: Will I receive karma for explaining Buddhist ideas inaccurately?
A: Yes. Misinformation about the Dharma, even unintentional, creates karmic harm. Speak only what you know. Truthful, wise speech is vital to preserving the path.
🧬 XV. The Dangers of Scientific Overreach
Q: Can advanced science like cloning bring karmic consequences?
A: Yes, technological manipulation of nature disrupts karmic balance and risks catastrophic consequences. Earth has undergone countless cycles of birth and death due to karmic forces.
The Buddhist teaching, “All phenomena are empty, but karma is not empty,” emphasizes that karma never ceases. As science advances, it must be guided by compassion and ethical considerations to prevent destructive outcomes. Karma and retribution catch up even if unseen now.
Conclusion
Master Chin Kung’s teachings offer invaluable guidance for navigating the complexities of karma and retribution. Through mindfulness, compassion, and virtuous living, we can:
- Transform karma through sincere repentance and ethical actions.
- Recognize and respect the interconnectedness of all life.
- Dedicate merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.
- Promote environmental consciousness through compassion and responsibility.
By cultivating inner peace and practicing the Dharma sincerely, we can resolve karmic debts, alleviate suffering, and contribute to a more harmonious and enlightened world.
📘 Part Four
😨 The Terrifying Power of Karma
Q: Can someone who manages a business that indirectly involves harm take refuge in the Three Jewels?
A: Yes, taking refuge means returning to the path of compassion and wisdom. Even if one’s livelihood indirectly involves harm, dedicating oneself to ethical actions and sincere repentance transforms karma. A careful reading of Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons reveals that our every action shapes our destiny. True refuge requires sincerity, ethical conduct, and continuous cultivation of merit.
👨👩👧 Karmic Connections in Family
Karma determines our familial relationships based on four categories:
- Repaying gratitude: The child will be virtuous and loving.
- Repaying grievances: The child could bring misfortune or conflict.
- Debt collection: The child will benefit from the parents but eventually leave.
- Debt repayment: The child supports their parents, though may lack respect.
By understanding these karmic ties, one can transform adversity into spiritual growth through Dharma practice and compassionate living.
🐾 Animal Welfare and Karmic Consequences
Q: Is it a violation of the precept against killing if I prepare meat at home?
A: Preparing meat from animals already slaughtered is not a direct violation of the precept, according to Buddhist principles of “not seeing, not hearing, not causing.” However, consuming meat indirectly supports suffering. Choosing a vegetarian lifestyle cultivates compassion and leads to better health and longevity.
Q: How should we view animal experimentation for medical research?
A: It is considered a violation of the precept against killing. While modern science relies on animal testing, traditional Chinese medicine has successfully healed many illnesses without harming animals, using observation, listening, questioning, and pulse diagnosis instead.
💔 Abortion, Suicide, and Karmic Debt
Q: Can the karmic consequences of abortion or suicide be expiated?
A: Yes, through sincere repentance, ceasing harmful actions, cultivating merit, and dedicating that merit to dissolve karmic bonds. The karmic debts caused by abortion or suicide are severe, but transformation is possible through genuine spiritual practice.
Karmic Bonds of Children:
- Repaying gratitude: Abortion transforms gratitude into enmity.
- Repaying grievances: Resentment intensifies.
- Debt collection: The child’s life is taken, leading to future karmic consequences.
- Debt repayment: A missed opportunity for mutual support and resolution.
Q: How should we view societal phenomena such as suicide and abortion from a Buddhist perspective?
A: Both are viewed as grave karmic errors. Suicide leads to severe suffering in the intermediate state, and abortion disrupts deep karmic bonds, intensifying future resentment and retribution. Repentance, merit dedication, and practicing compassion are essential for expiation.
🌳 Protecting Life and Environmental Responsibility
Q: How can Buddhist principles guide environmental protection?
A: Environmental disasters arise from humanity’s collective karma, fueled by greed, anger, and ignorance. Protecting life means safeguarding humanity from both natural and man-made disasters. This involves cultivating compassion, ceasing harmful actions, and promoting harmony with the natural world.
💎 The Power of Merit and Generosity
Q: What is the difference between the merit of good deeds (福德) and the merit from virtuous acts (功德)?
A: Merit from good deeds brings worldly benefits such as wealth and longevity but is tied to attachment and ego. True virtue arises from selfless action, leading to liberation from suffering and cycles of rebirth.
Q: Can karmic debts be resolved through financial donations?
A: Yes, material donations create merit, especially when done sincerely. Beyond wealth, offering labor, wisdom, or compassion brings even greater merit. True generosity opens the heart, cultivates wisdom, and extends life.
Q: Why do some wealthy individuals become stingy despite their past generosity?
A: Environmental influences can alter habits from past lives. Negative surroundings and a lack of proper guidance can erode the charitable nature carried over from previous lifetimes. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nurturing and virtuous environment.
🔄 Karma, Fate, and Transformation
Q: What does it mean to trust fate while cultivating the heart?
A: Trusting fate without cultivating one’s heart leads to stagnation. By practicing virtue and ceasing harmful actions, we can transform destiny. Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons teaches that fate is shaped by karma, but self-improvement allows us to transcend predetermined outcomes and create a better future.
Q: Can karma be transcended?
A: Yes, true transcendence arises from relinquishing the ego and acting selflessly for the benefit of all beings. The Diamond Sutra teaches that realizing the emptiness of self dissolves karmic bonds and leads to liberation.
⚔️ Understanding Karmic Retribution in Different Contexts
Q: How does karmic retribution apply to soldiers defending their country?
A: Defending one’s country is considered righteous action, not a violation of precepts. Protection of life and property can be seen as an act of fearless generosity. However, aggression and unprovoked violence generate negative karma.
Q: Can advising someone to change their spiritual practice be considered slander of the Three Jewels?
A: No, unless it disrupts a spiritual community or discourages progress. Advice given to help an individual find a better path is acceptable if offered with sincerity and compassion.
🌟 Conclusion: Transforming Fate Through Righteous Actions
Master Chin Kung’s teachings reveal the profound truth that karma is not fixed—it can be transformed through sincere repentance, compassionate living, and virtuous actions. By practicing mindfulness and spreading kindness, we create positive karma that shapes a better future for ourselves and future generations.
🙏 May all beings find peace, enlightenment, and liberation from suffering.
📘 Part Five
💭 Dreams and Spiritual Messages
Q: What is the meaning of a dream featuring auspicious symbols and mysterious words?
A: Dreams can carry spiritual significance. A dream featuring symbols like “good fruit” reflects positive karmic outcomes—if you plant good causes, you will reap good results. Such dreams should be seen as messages from compassionate beings encouraging you to cultivate virtue and resolve karmic entanglements.
👑 Karmic Retribution for Leaders and Nations
Q: What karmic retribution do national leaders face for unjust actions?
A: Leaders who commit heavy sins—such as aggression, exploitation, or violence—will inevitably face karmic retribution. Some may suffer in the Avici Hell, where the consequences are severe and unending. However, individuals and nations can transform their fate by ceasing harmful actions, practicing virtue, and dedicating efforts toward compassion and peace.
📚 Master Yin Guang emphasized three essential texts for karmic understanding:
- Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons – Teaches about cause, effect, and personal transformation.
- Supreme Response Sutra – Distinguishes between good and evil actions.
- An Shi Quan Shu – Guides moral behavior and the recitation of the Buddha’s name for rebirth in the Pure Land.
These texts offer a clear path for transforming negative karma into spiritual growth and worldly peace.
🧬 Genetic Manipulation and Environmental Harm
Q: Can genetic manipulation disrupt natural karma?
A: Yes, altering genetic material disrupts the natural order and risks profound karmic consequences. Advanced civilizations of the past fell due to hubris and technological overreach. The Dharma teaches:
“All phenomena are empty, but karma is not empty.”
Misusing science for selfish gains invites karmic disaster.
🌏 Protecting Life and Environmental Harmony
Q: How can the Buddhist principle of protecting life extend to environmental protection?
A: Environmental disasters reflect collective human karma, rooted in greed, anger, and ignorance. Protecting the Earth requires cultivating compassion, ceasing harmful actions, and promoting harmony with nature. Only through collective awareness can humanity prevent disasters and safeguard all sentient beings.
💰 Wealth, Generosity, and Spiritual Growth
Q: Why do some wealthy individuals become stingy despite previous generosity?
A: Environmental influence and a lack of spiritual cultivation can erode past virtues. Even those blessed with wealth due to past generosity may become stingy if surrounded by selfishness and negative influence.
Q: How can one overcome selfish tendencies?
A: By practicing generosity, volunteering, offering wisdom, and dedicating oneself to helping others. Acts of compassion lead to spiritual growth, increased merit, and inner peace.
🪷 Final Reflection: Embracing Dharma, Transforming Karma
Master Chin Kung’s Q&A offers clear answers to deep questions on karma and retribution. Through sincere cultivation, ethical choices, and compassion, we can resolve karmic debts and plant seeds of peace for generations.
Let us:
- 🌱 Repent with sincerity
- 💖 Act with compassion
- 🧘♂️ Dedicate merit selflessly
- 🔄 Transform destiny with every good thought
“Karma is not punishment—it’s a path to awakening.”
📚 Explore More Teachings on Karma:
- Karma 1: Seeds of Virtue, Fruits of Enlightenment →
- Karma 2: Hidden Virtue and the Blessing Legacy for Future Generations →
- Karma 3: Real Stories from Master Chin Kung on Karma and Retribution →
🙏 May all beings be free from suffering and attain liberation.