Page 178 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

living that will lead to Buddhahood while a non-virtuous life

will cause one to be dragged into the hell state.

e above explanation of the Wheel of Life helps us to under-

stand clearly that our existence and sufferings are the result of the

Twelve Causes and Conditions (which are without beginning) of

birth, death and rebirth. Anyone wishing to be freed from Sam-

saric existences should therefore take great pains to comprehend

it so that with the realisation of the misfortunes of Ignorance,

efforts will be expanded to free oneself from the endless series

of rebirths. e Way to total freedom is through understanding

and practising the Buddha Dharma and this is depicted by the

figures of the Buddhas outside the Wheel of Life, who through

attaining Enlightenment have freed themselves from the grips

of Mara.

Karma — he aw of ause and ffect

Everywhere we turn in the world misery is all around us. Yet

have we ever stopped to consider the meaning of such pain

and misery? Why should there be so many who are born sick,

lame, deformed, ugly, blind, deaf and mentally defective?

Some religions teach that it is the will of the Creator who

inflicts these pains on mankind because of the sins of their

forbears. Surely this idea is much too primitive for any serious

consideration as no Creator-God, who is merciful and just,

would want to senselessly inflict pain on the innocent who are

but his creation!

