The Three Aspects of Karma: Thinking, Speaking and Bodily actions.

Thầy describes karma, or action, as having three aspects: thinking, speaking and bodily action. The first kind of action is thinking. When you produce a thought of non-discrimination, understanding and compassion, you begin to heal yourself and the world. Every thought you produce bears your signature; you are responsible for your action. A thought is an energy, an action, and according to the law of conservation of energy, no energy is lost. That thought continues you. That is why in your practice it is important to produce good thoughts, thoughts of non-discrimination, compassion, and understanding. You assure a beautiful continuation.

The second kind of action is speech. When we are able to say something with non-discrimination, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness, you heal yourself and you heal the other persons. You give them hope. We practice to produce the kind of speech that can heal, that can reconcile.

The third kind of action is bodily action. Every act of yours should be Right Action. Right Action is characterized by non-discrimination, compassion, and understanding. We are the totality of our body, speech, and mind action. Mindfulness is a kind of energy that sheds light on our action and helps us know whether what we produce is positive, wholesome or not.

Thầy teaches on how to practice with the Plum Village gatha, “I have arrived, I am home. In the here and in the now. I am solid, I am free. In the ultimate I dwell.” When we walk with the sangha in mindfulness, the three aspects of action come together, and we are fully concentrated to arrive in the here and now. And we see that we have more than enough conditions to be happy.

This the seventh talk in a series of thirteen given during the Summer Opening in the year 2014. Thầy offered this talk at the Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France.