All causes and conditions arise because of other causes and conditions. They are impermanent and forever changing, so we say that they are empty. With causes and consequences, it is all a matter of before and after. For sentient beings, there are causes and consequences. For Buddhas, there aren't. There are no longer causes and consequences for Buddhas because they have no self-centeredness. Buddhas do not look upon anything from the standpoint of an ego. Things still happen to Buddhas, but Buddhas do not perceive things as happening to themselves. They see all things as being empty. Sentient beings, on the other hand, are incapable of seeing the world in this way, so they still perceive the effects on themselves of their previous karma.

Sakyamuni Buddha lived in the world and interacted with people and the environment. Sentient beings saw it their way, and said that the Buddha performed good deeds, taught Buddhadharma and helped save sentient beings. But the Buddha did not see it this way. He just acted spontaneously. The source of his action was wisdom, not self-centeredness.

The Buddha still experienced body pains after he was enlightened. Sentient beings would say that the Buddha was suffering from causes and conditions and previous karma, but because the Buddha no longer perceived a self, he did not suffer mentally. Only his physical body experienced pain.

STUDENT:

Are causes and conditions controllable? Can I manipulate them to directly control my life?

SHIH-FU: