WHO IS IN CONTROL OF OUR DESTINY?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Destiny is the path generated from the string of karma that is ought to be experienced in this life. Be it the cycle of rebirth or destiny, it strictly follows two fundamental principles. The cycle will repeat itself and without exception, all sentient beings fall under its purview. These two principles form the foundation of reincarnation, before which, all sentient beings are viewed equally with no exception.
The first principle is the foremost law of the universe: The Law of Cause and Effect – something that everyone is familiar with, that is, you reap what you sow. The principle of karma is an immutable law that the innumerable Three Thousandfold World Systems have to strictly abide by. There is no force that is capable of intercepting the cycle of causality.
If you mistreat your mother-in-law today, these negative seeds of ‘cause’ are sowed, chances are, they will bear fruit in the form of conflicts with your spouse in your next life. Those, who had committed countless acts of killing in their past lives, will be afflicted by ill health in this lifetime. As you sow, so shall you reap.
The second principle is the Principle of Heaven. When we talk about the “Principle of Heaven and the Appropriate Retribution”, it is not something that can be taken lightly. In fact, the Principle of Heaven is a management system, which specifies in detail the karmic causes and the corresponding consequences, the extent and the exact timing that the retribution will be served.
The Heavenly Principle does not only govern individuals, but it also covers a region, a dynasty, a country and even the world at large. Natural and man-made disasters are the negative outcomes of collective karma. The greenhouse effect is a perfect example. All of these fall under the jurisdiction of Heaven.
The moment one commits an evil deed, or gives rise to an evil thought, the corresponding karmic retribution that he or she so deserves will automatically be arranged as per the Principle of Heaven.
Following that, it will be transformed into a karmic obstacle, with a scheduled time and date when it will be unleashed in one’s future life. The same goes for good and virtuous deeds, the karmic reward will automatically be planned according to a specific schedule.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 8