There is a wise saying in Buddhism: "The wife of this life, the benefactor of the previous life, the kindness that has not yet been repaid." The son of this life, your creditor in the last life, comes to collect the unpaid debt. The daughter of this life, your lover in the previous life, came to the unfinished love. The lover of this life is the husband and wife of the previous life, to continue the unfinished relationship. The red face in this life is the brother and sister in the previous life, and they came to make unfinished hearts. The noble people in this life are the great good people in the previous life, who come to receive the virtue of the previous life. These words are not superstitions, but Buddhist interpretations of the law of cause and effect, an understanding of the cycle of life and fate.
The law of cause and effect in Buddhism, like the ever-flowing river, is deeply imprinted in every soul. It tells the story of our experiences in this life, which are the continuation of cause and effect in previous lives, and also predict the possibilities of the future.
A close friend in this life, a confidant in a past life, to renew the unfulfilled covenant. Those who have left a deep imprint on your life, those who have accompanied you through ups and downs, may be the confidant who understood you, cherished you, and accompanied you in your previous life. You meet again in this life, perhaps because of the agreement in your previous life, to go through this journey together and taste the ups and downs of life together.
The enemies of this life, the opponents of the past life, come to settle unresolved hatreds. Those who are for tat with you and make you resentful may be the opponent of your previous life. Your grievances and hatreds are like chains of fate, which bind you together. In this life, you meet again, perhaps to end the hatred of your previous life and to free each other's hearts.
The teacher in this life, the teacher in the previous life, comes to pass on the untaught karma. Those who guide you when you are confused, and answer your questions when you are confused, may be the mentor of your previous life. Their wisdom and teachings are like beacons that illuminate your path. You meet again in this life, perhaps to continue your studies in your previous life, so that you can be more determined and calm on the road of life.
The parents of this life, the teacher of the previous life, came to repay the unpaid kindness. They have put in countless hard work and sweat for you, providing you with the soil and nutrients to grow. Being able to be their child in this life may be a blessing from your previous life. You should cherish this kindness, repay them with filial piety and love, and let them enjoy their old age in your company.
The tribulations of this life and the trials of past lives come to forge the unfinished steel. The dilemmas and setbacks that make you miserable, that make you struggle, that make you almost give up, may be the tests you failed in your previous life. They are like the fire of purgatory, forging your will and perseverance into steel. With each ordeal, you become stronger and braver, and you understand the true meaning and meaning of life better.
The riches of this life and the good deeds of the past life come to reap the fruits of the unreaped. Those who have wealth and status may be the result of doing good deeds in previous lives. Their wealth and status are not obtained by chance, but are the fruits of good causes sown in previous lives in this life. However, wealth does not equal happiness, and true happiness lies in inner peace and contentment.
The poverty of this life, the slackness of the previous life, come to taste the unfinished suffering. Those who live in poverty may be the result of their failure to work diligently and accumulate good fortune in their previous lives. However, poverty is not immutable, as long as they can work hard and be positive in this life, they believe that their lives will improve in the future.
Diseases in this life, karma in past lives, to eliminate unresolved grievances. Those who are seriously ill and suffering may be the karmic obstacles created in previous lives that manifest themselves in this life. However, illness is not incurable, as long as they sincerely repent and actively treat, they believe that they will be able to resolve the karma of their previous lives and regain their health and happiness.
The Buddhist law of cause and effect is like a mirror that reflects the causes and effects of our past lives and the experiences of our present lives. It makes us understand that every encounter and experience in life is meaningful, a continuation of cause and effect in past lives and the arrangement of fate in this life. We must cherish every encounter, be grateful for every experience, and face the ups and downs, gains and losses in life with a normal heart.
However, the law of cause and effect is not fatalistic, and it does not make us passively wait for the arrangement of fate. On the contrary, it encourages us to actively do good deeds and accumulate good fortune in this life in order to change our destiny in the future. We must treat the people and things around us with a kind heart, and face the challenges and difficulties in life with a positive attitude.
When we savor every moment of life with a grateful heart, we will find that life is actually very beautiful. Whether it is good or bad, whether it is rich or poor, whether it is health or sickness, it is an indispensable part of life. Together, they form a colorful journey in our lives, making us cherish the present and look forward to the future.
So, should we delve deeper into the cause and effect of our past lives, and should we be more active in doing good deeds in order to reap more blessings in this life and in the next? Perhaps, this is the question that each of us needs to ponder.