Cause And Effect

Wealth and dignity come from one's destiny,

From causes planted in past lives,

People hold to this simple principle

Will reap good fortune in future lives.

Kind Men and Women, listen to the causes,

Hear and remember this sutra's reminder,

Of the causes and effects of karmic deeds,

In the past, present and future.

Cause and effect are no small care,

True are my words, don't take them lightly.

Some people have plentiful goods;

The reason, again is quite fair,

In the past, these people gave food to the poor,

Others don't have food or drink.

Who can guess the reason why?

Because those people were plagued with a fault;

Stingy greed made them squeeze every penny.

Enjoy blessing and justly properous,

Are people who reap a fitting reward,

In the past, they helped bulid temples,

And saw that the Sangha had huts and shelters.

Some have long life spans;why are they lucky?

Liberating creatures they ransomed lives;
Have you seen how many suffer short lives?

Their wanton slaughter of beings is why.

Most cows and horses were humans being before-

People who didn't settle debts.

Many former people are now pigs or dogs,

Because they injured and cheated others.

In our myriad deeds, whatever we do,

We reap our own rewards, it's true.

Who can we blame for our woe in the hells?

Who can there be blame but ourselves?

Don't say that cause and effect are unseen,

Look at you, your offspring,heirs and grandchildren,

If you doubt the good of pure eating and giving,

Look around and find those enjoying fortune.

Having practiced of old, they now harvest abundance.

To cultivate now will bring blessing anew.

(The Sutra of Cause and Effect)

To know of past lives' causes,

Look at the rewards you are reaping today.

To find out about our future lives,

You need only to notice what you are doing right now.

(Filial The Human Source 1 Ver 24 -32)