1. Nothing is lost in the universe
The first truth is that nothing is lost in the universe. Matter turns into
energy, energy turns into matter. A dead leaf turns into soil. A seed sprouts
and becomes a new plant. Old solar systems disintegrate and turn into cosmic
rays. We are born of our parents, our children are born of us.
We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls.
We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything. If we
destroy something around us, we destroy ourselves. If we cheat another, we cheat
ourselves. Understanding this truth, the Buddha and his disciples never killed
any animal.
2. Everything Changes
The second universal truth of the Buddha is that everything is continuously
changing. Life is like a river flowing on and on, ever-changing. Sometimes it
flows slowly and sometimes swiftly. It is smooth and gentle in some places, but
later on snags and rocks crop up out of nowhere. As soon as we think we are
safe, something unexpected happens.
Once dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers roamed this earth. They
all died out, yet this was not the end of life. Other life forms like smaller
mammals appeared, and eventually humans, too. Now we can even see the Earth from
space and understand the changes that have taken place on this planet. Our ideas
about life also change. People once believed that the world was flat, but now we
know that it is round.
3. Law of Cause and Effect
The third universal truth explained by the Buddha is that there is continuous
changes due to the law of cause and effect. This is the same law of cause and
effect found in every modern science textbook. In this way, science and Buddhism
are alike.
The law of cause and effect is known as karma. Nothing ever happens to
us unless we deserves it. We receive exactly what we earn, whether it is good or
bad. We are the way we are now due to the things we have done in the past. Our
thoughts and actions determine the kind of life we can have. If we do good
things, in the future good things will happen to us. If we do bad things, in the
future bad things will happen to us. Every moment we create new karma by what we
say, do, and think. If we understand this, we do not need to fear karma. It
becomes our friend. It teaches us to create a bright future.
The Buddha
said,
"The kind of seed sown
will produce that kind of fruit.
Those who
do good will reap good results.
Those who do evil will reap evil results.
If you carefully plant a good seed,
You will joyfully gather good
fruit."
Dhammapada
Source