Tricycle | Awake in the World

If indeed we are perfect just as we are, why would we be concerned about karma? Discussions about karma are often pointing out that we could get better results if we would change some of our behaviors, including our speech. That certainly implies we do some things that are not so perfect. - Walt Shugert

Lama Surya Das responds:

The absolute truth that we are perfect as we are and all is perfect as it is needs to be balanced by the relative truth (or conventional level of understanding) that all is not the same on other more human and physical levels. This is the middle way taught by Buddha, beyond extreme views-- views such as nihilism or materialism: that on one hand nothing matters or all is nothing, or on the other hand that everything is real, solid, permanent.

Sure, in BuddhaVision or the ultimate View/Perspective, we are all perfect; and yet, we can still use just a little tweaking. We should not confuse ultimate verities, like oneness and emptiness (sunyata), with relative facts such as we all -- most of us, at least -- far prefer to be unharmed than harmed, to live rather than die, to enjoy rather than to suffer, and so forth.

In the world of forms and actions, which is where karma is applicable, like reproduces like and what goes around comes around; psychologically speaking, it is a matter of conditioning, habituation, and creating ruts which we then feel stick in. Fine distinctions and discrimination needs to be applied. According the ineluctable law of karma--or cause and effect-- every single word, thought, intention and deed has implications and repercussions. The bad news is that we are heavily conditioned. The good news is that karma is workable; we can recondition and even decondition ourselves. This is what transformative and liberating Dharma is all about.

There is a colorful Tibetan tantric saying that we should not kill at least and until we can also resurrect the dead. But don't run away with this idea!