Daoism advocates doing good works. It does not regard good works merely as alms to others and sacrifice by oneself. On the contrary, it holds that the result of good works benefits not only others but also oneself, for these good works contain the perfection of one's own personality, and while benefiting others, they create conditions for the perfection of one's own cultivation. Thus doing good works is an active process.
In Daoism, karma is classified into two kinds: karma outside this world and worldly karma. The cause of the karma outside this world is Wisdom and its effect is Detachment. Here the effect is called a Dao Fruit. The cause of worldly karma is good and evil, and the effect is sorrow and joy. Sins will certainly receive retribution and bear the fruit of sorrow, while good will be rewarded with good and bear the fruit of joy. What is generally discussed is worldly karma, but those practicing Dao should take both kinds of karma into consideration. In the human world, one should never forget the reward of good and retribution of evil, and do more good works and accumulate more merits in order to free oneself from sorrow and obtain joy. On this basis, one should go further to cultivate great Wisdom, acquire great merits and obtain great Dao Fruits.
One kind of retribution is that in this world, and if it is too late, there is still the retribution in the nether world or in the Fengdu Hell. What each person does and what cause he plants is all determined by his own choice. In this sense, the cause lies in the mind. So the section "The Meaning of Karma" in the Pivotal Meaning of the Daoist Doctrine quotes scriptures of the Numinous Treasure, saying, "Reward for good and retribution for evil just arise from the mind." Simultaneously, the Chinese attach importance to the clan, and personal honor and disgrace are closely attached to the destiny of the clan.
The Commentary of the Book of Changes says that clans that accumulate good will certainly leave surplus jubilation for the later generations, while clans that accumulate evil will certainly leave surplus sufferings for the later generations. In the Book of Supreme Peace this is called Inherited Burden, which refers to surplus jubilance and sufferings, especially sufferings, accumulated through generations. Descendants can turn calamities into happiness only if they immediately abandon evil and do good, convert themselves to the Great Dao, and get rid of "the old Vital Breath" and the evil Vital Breath accumulated over a long period of time.
The idea of Karma is the ideological basis for carrying out conversion by good teachings and encouragement and practice of good in Daoism.
Author: Liu Zhongyu
Translator: Pengzhi & Chang Hong
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