Dear friends, hello everyone! Today, I’d like to share with you the topic of “The Law of Cause and Effect in Abandoning Wrong Views.” The teachings of Buddhism tell us that all happiness and suffering, success and failure, stem from our views. Right views lead us to the noble path, while wrong views cause us to fall into delusion. As stated in the Sutra of the Ten Wholesome Deeds, “If one abandons wrong views, one will attain the fulfillment of ten meritorious qualities.” Today, we’ll explore, through the logic of cause and effect, how wrong views obstruct our lives and how right views lead to liberation and fulfillment.
1. Wrong Views as Cause, Habitual Tendencies as Effect
We often find ourselves trapped by attachments—for instance, an overly strong attachment to food can become so ingrained that it’s hard to break through. This stems from wrong views. When we overly indulge ourselves, thinking indulgence equals happiness, this wrong view plants the seed of heedlessness, yielding the fruit of ruin. The Dharma does not arise in isolation; it depends on conditions to manifest. If we don’t transform our perspective, these habits only grow stronger, and progress in life becomes elusive. However, if we cultivate right view and right mindfulness, when the power of right view surpasses our habitual tendencies, breakthroughs happen naturally.
2. Right Views as Cause, Merits as Effect
The Sutra of the Ten Wholesome Deeds teaches that abandoning wrong views leads to ten meritorious qualities. This is the iron law of cause and effect. Let’s examine them one by one:
- Attaining genuine joy in goodness and the company of virtuous friends
Free from wrong views, the mind aligns with righteousness, naturally delighting in good deeds and attracting noble companions. - Deep faith in cause and effect, refusing to do evil even at the cost of life
Right view fosters unshakable belief in karma, cutting off evil causes and reaping the fruit of steadfast wisdom. - Taking refuge solely in the Buddha, not in other deities
Abandoning the delusion of wrong views, one relies only on the Buddha’s teachings, avoiding the fruit of confusion. - A straightforward mind and right view, free from doubts about omens
With a righteous mind and view, one is untroubled by superstition, harvesting the fruit of clarity. - Constant rebirth in human or heavenly realms, never falling into evil paths
Right view severs evil causes, yielding the reward of favorable destinies and mastery over one’s fate. - Boundless blessings and wisdom, ever-increasing
Free from wrong views, planting seeds of goodness brings the fruit of growing merit and insight. - Forever departing from evil paths, walking the noble path
Right view leads to noble causes, resulting in the fruit of liberation. - No arising of the view of a self, abandoning all evil deeds
The view of a self is the root of wrong views; cutting this cause ends the cycle of harmful actions. - Abiding in unobstructed vision, realizing the ultimate truth
Right view penetrates reality, yielding the fruit of unhindered understanding. - Not falling into difficulties
Free from wrong views, one avoids evil causes and escapes the fruit of calamity.
These ten merits are the direct results of right view. Wrong views make every step arduous, while right views pave the way to smooth success—this is the unfailing law of cause and effect.
3. Practicing Right View: Transforming Cause to Effect
How do we abandon wrong views? Start with daily practice. Frequently vow to uphold precepts, establishing a solid righteous cause; regularly make offerings to the Triple Gem, creating sublime conditions. Awaken to the truth that heedlessness bears no fruit, while effort is the cause of strength, wisdom, and opportunity. You inherently possess the full potential of a Buddha, but belief in delusions and attachments has led you astray. By letting go of wrong views and returning to right view, the cycle of cause and effect shifts in your favor.
4. Conclusion: Right View Determines Destiny
Dear friends, right view is the cause, and fulfillment is the effect; wrong view is the cause, and obstruction is the effect. If you dedicate this right view to the pursuit of supreme enlightenment, when you attain Buddhahood in the future, you will swiftly realize all Dharma and achieve perfect mastery and divine powers. This is the ultimate law of cause and effect in abandoning wrong views. May we all take right view as our foundation, sever evil causes, reap virtuous fruits, and stride toward a life of light!
Thank you all!
