The Principle of Heavy Offenses Being Lightly Retributed

Suffering in this life the karmic offenses of future lives—all of these are cases of heavy karmic retribution being lightly repaid. The better one's cultivation, the earlier one undergoes the retribution for one's karmic offenses, and the less accrued karmic interest there is—this is a very good bargain.

If you get into a car accident in this life, you should think: How wonderful! In future lives I will not have to fall into hell to undergo retribution, or suffer sudden premature death or a shortened lifespan. If someone gives you a hard time, or wrongs and aggrieves you, or beats and scolds you, you should think: This person is truly good to me—hereafter I will not have to suffer serious illnesses like cancer, or accidents like car crashes; those karmic offenses are being consumed and dissolved in this way. What a bargain!

Small setbacks drawn forth by one's cultivation will avert great setbacks in future lives; great setbacks drawn forth in this life through one's cultivation will avert even greater setbacks in future lives, as well as calamities, illness and suffering, death, retribution in the three evil destinies, and so forth—an extremely good bargain. Therefore, no matter what, please continue to diligently apply effort in cultivating the Path.