The Timing of Karmic Retribution

Not every cause produces immediate results. Often, another intervening factor, a counteracting cause (Cause contradictoire), delays the effect.

For instance, if we place our finger in a fire (cause), we immediately get burned (immediate effect). However, if we cautiously coat our finger with a protective substance, it won’t burn right away. The fire must first consume the substance before reaching our finger.

This protective layer acts as a counteracting cause.

Similarly, in temperate regions like Vietnam, rice seeds sprout quickly when sown. But in colder climates, germination is delayed due to frost. The frost acts as a counteracting cause.

A mischievous child is about to be punished by his father. As the father raises his hand to strike, a guest arrives. The father must put aside the punishment to welcome the guest. The arrival of the guest is also a counteracting cause.

This “Law of Counteraction” explains why the consequences of good or bad deeds are sometimes not experienced immediately in the same lifetime. We see ruthless and immoral individuals enjoying wealth, prosperity, and arrogance. This is because they are reaping the rewards of good deeds from their past lives. However, once these good karmic fruits are exhausted, they will inevitably face the consequences of their current negative actions, either in this life or the next.

We also witness virtuous and kind people facing hardships. This is because they are experiencing the repercussions of negative karma from their past lives. Once these karmic debts are repaid, they will enjoy the fruits of their current good deeds, either in this life or the next.

Therefore, concerning the timing of karmic retribution, there are three possibilities:

1. Immediate Retribution: The consequences are experienced in the same lifetime as the action (đương kiếp nhân quả).
2. Past-Life Retribution: The consequences are experienced in this life due to actions from a past life (tiền kiếp nhân quả).
3. Future-Life Retribution: The consequences are experienced in a future life due to actions in the current life (hậu kiếp nhân quả).