Shantideva's Compendium of Precepts (Laptu) and A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life (Chod-jug); 20-Mar-2006 (Day 5 of 9; Afternoon) - Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

Prior to his reading of Shantideva’s texts, His Holiness focussed on causality, the functioning of cause and effect. He distinguished two aspects: karma and natural law. Dependence on causes and conditions is a natural law. However, when thought and motivation are present, as is the case with the actions of sentient beings, karma comes about. Karmic actions are positive if they give rise to benefit and happiness and negative when instead they disturb other beings. His Holiness clarified that karma is complex and can be discussed in great detail, but only a Buddha understands its subtlest ramifications. He stressed that what is important in practice for monks, nuns and lay people alike, is to avoid doing the ten unwholesome actions. Among these wrong view is particularly powerful. If, however, we take the Buddhist concept of dependent arising into account we will view our situation and conduct more holistically. We will consider the consequences and implications of our actions before we do them. On the other hand, we may also appreciate that sometimes it is wise to undergo a small suffering if doing so will allay a greater pain.