How come your ancestor's karmic debts can affect you?

" If your ancestors are suffering in hell, your life cannot be smooth. Some people asked what has their ancestors' karmic debt got to do with them. Actually your ancestor's karma is a reflection of your karma! The law of karma is fair. Because of your past karma,  you chose parents that are compatible with your past karmic effects. If you have bad karma,  you will be born in a bad family. In other words,  you deserve to be born in that family."

Sharings from Vancouver meditation retreat

Commentary from Jerome:
Do not blame our parents for bringing you to this world. It is actually us that chose parents that are compatible with our past karmic effects. If we do good in the past, our mind will choose parents from good background.

Whatever families we are in currently, we need to help our ancestors clear their karmic debts. There is a Chinese saying that if one person cultivates, his 9 clans will go to heaven.  We should light lamps, chant for them and do all kinds of good deeds and transfer the merits to them!

More information available at:

1) Master Jin Bodhi Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/jinbodhiworld/

2) Official Bodhi Meditation Website
http://puti.org
http://putihome.org


Graphics and formatting: Ada


Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.