I divide this chapter into the following
sections:
1. The karmic situation of beings
who have no aspiration towards Enlightenment
2. Shakyamuni’s encouragements to
do good in daily life and to aspire for birth in the Pure Land for the
attainment of Enlightenment
Shakyamuni Buddha
described various kinds of evil deeds and their karmic consequences like for
example, the three evil acts and their retribution, and the five kinds of evils
and their effects – the five sufferings and the five burnings. I will present
each one of them bellow in Shakyamuni’s own words and offer my comments only
when necessary, as they are very easy to understand. My advice is to transform
the reading into a contemplation of the sad situation of those without the aspiration towards Enlightenment and who, because they have no faith in Amida, have
no chance of escaping samsara.