Blaming everything on our past lives

Empower Yourself: Karma and the Present Moment

Some Buddhists attribute their struggles to bad karma from past lives, believing that their suffering is solely due to karmic debt. However, such a mindset can lead to passivity, trapping them in a cycle of negativity and misunderstanding.

While karma from past lives can influence our present circumstances, the Buddha did not teach that everything is predetermined or destined by our past karma. This is because such beliefs become fatalistic. Fatalistic means that we believe everything in life has been predestined and cannot be changed.

These views are similar to the teachings of the heretical Sramana sect called Ajivika, which existed during the Buddha’s time.

Focusing solely on past karma overlooks the power of present actions. If someone loses their job and blames it on past karma alone, they miss the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and grow. Consequently, much time and energy is wasted on dwelling in the past, regretting the past, or trying to rectify the past through purification rituals.

I am not denying the usefulness of purification rituals. It can work wonders people fixated about past karma from a previous lifetime or people feeling lost. It is a powerful antidote that needs careful prescription.

More importantly, it is better to focus on the Buddha’s teachings that emphasize the importance of our current choices—thoughts, actions, and words—in shaping our lives. This is the fundamental belief in Karma.

Holding onto the belief that we are powerless over karma from past lives, leads to a demoralizing, stagnant mindset.

A healthier approach is to acknowledge past karma as part of life, but not let it define the present.

By doing that, it helps us take responsibility, own our situations, and empower us to face challenges with courage; Knowing that positive actions now can change future outcomes. Instead of blaming karma, focus on proactive solutions and seek help when needed.

By embracing the present and making good choices, we shape our own path and create the conditions for a brighter future.

May all be well and happy.