3.30.2008

words: sogyal rinpoche

However Small a Spark

In simple terms, what does karma mean? It means that whatever we do,
with our body, speech, or mind, will have a corresponding result. Each
action, even the smallest, is pregnant with its consequences. It is
said by the masters that even a little poison can cause death, and
even a tiny seed can become a huge tree. And as Buddha said: "Do not
overlook negative actions merely because they are small; however small
a spark may be, it can burn down a haystack as big as a mountain."
Similarly he said: "Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they
are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a
huge vessel." Karma does not decay like external things, or ever
become inoperative. It cannot be destroyed by time, fire, or water.
Its power will never disappear, until it is ripened.

--Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying