The Karmic Retribution of an Arrogant Mind

When a person harbors arrogance in their heart, not only do their spoken words become seeds of unwholesome karma that will bring future retribution, but even the expressions representing arrogance become karmic seeds that will also cause them to suffer retribution in the future. Moreover, even the thoughts and perceptions in their mind will be stored as seeds, leading to future retribution. This is because when the mind is defiled, the karmic seeds become impure.

Whenever one has manifested arrogance, regardless of the form, it should be repented promptly. To avoid suffering unwholesome retribution in future lives, any cost incurred to rectify it is worthwhile. There are even more severe mental actions than arrogance that require repentance to prevent major negative retribution in future lives, such as deception and lies—intentional deceit and malicious falsehoods—all of which should be repented immediately. Small causes yield great results; these matters are no trivial affair, for karmic retribution is inexorable.

In the past, a young novice monk commented that a monastic master ate "like an ox chewing grass," and as a result, he was reborn as an ox for five hundred lifetimes. If the verbal karma of monastics speaking about other monastics is so severe, how much more severe is the verbal karma of laypeople speaking about monastics? Everyone should examine themselves and repent of even the slightest fault to avoid future regret when retribution comes. Nowadays, many people slander the Three Jewels—not just a few—and they do so openly, publicly, and self-righteously, beyond reason and comprehension. These individuals may well fall into hell to suffer retribution. If one possessed spiritual powers and could visit hell, they would realize that not all beings there are murderers or arsonists; many are sentient beings who practiced Buddhism but committed grave unwholesome deeds in the past. At the time, they were unaware they were creating unwholesome karma; some even believed they were performing virtuous deeds, thinking it inconsequential. Among them are many who consider themselves highly accomplished practitioners.

As long as the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion remain uneradicated, one is capable of creating unwholesome karma. This is especially true for Buddhists who, incited by those they trust, act impulsively in the heat of the moment, daring to do anything while assuming no consequences, unaware that the future retribution will be extremely heavy. The more revered a being is in the world, and the more beneficial they are to sentient beings, the graver the karmic offense of committing unwholesome deeds against them. Buddhists must first understand karma and be cautious in their physical, verbal, and mental actions, refraining from creating unwholesome karma and avoiding retribution—this is the mark of a wise person. Those who truly comprehend karma and profoundly believe in it are nearly at the stage of the First Ground Bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas below the First Ground cannot yet fully accept the law of karma, let alone ordinary beings. This is because those who can realize the Tathagatagarbha and directly perceive its functioning know that every physical, verbal, and mental action is stored instant by instant in the Tathagatagarbha without omission, making retribution unavoidable. Thus, there is no room for侥幸心理 (a mindset of侥幸).

Regularly reading the因果事例 (accounts of cause and effect) described in the Buddhist scriptures can deepen one's understanding of karma, leading to extreme caution in physical, verbal, and mental conduct. Those who are frequently impulsive and irrational are everywhere, for the unwholesome habits accumulated since beginningless time are far too deep-rooted and difficult to restrain. Know what you know, and admit what you do not know. Regarding matters you do not understand, refrain from casually commenting or evaluating. Do not be overconfident, for the overconfident often suffer losses—losses they bring upon themselves. Overconfidence stems from a strong sense of self—manifesting as deep and blazing self-attachment, self-love, self-delusion, and self-arrogance. Ultimately, creating unwholesome karma and suffering retribution arise from the inner self—that "I" which, if not subdued, will continually emerge to create unwholesome karma.

A sense of superiority in the heart is arrogance; it is the presence of "self." As long as the mind clings to even the slightest dharma as "self," there is arrogance. Arrogance is the most difficult to eradicate and the hardest to detect in oneself, for it is so habitual that it often manifests unconsciously and naturally. Most people harbor very coarse and heavy arrogance, yet very few are aware of their own conceit. Due to insufficient concentration and wisdom, they cannot introspect to recognize their obvious or hidden arrogance. Without someone to point it out, they allow it to develop unchecked.