In this retreat, Kadampa Buddhist teachers Ann Gerhardt and Nancy Fox will introduce the basic Buddhist understanding of karma. Making the best decisions for our future happiness and freedom from suffering depends on understanding the relationship between all our intentional actions and the karmic effects of those actions.

Generally, karma means “action.” From non-virtuous actions comes suffering, and from virtuous actions comes happiness: if we believe this, we believe in karma.

Meditation is a virtuous mental action that is the main cause for experiencing mental peace in the future. Whenever we practice meditation, whether or not our meditation is clear, we are performing a virtuous mental action that is a cause of our future happiness and peace of mind. We are normally concerned mainly about bodily and verbal actions, but in reality mental actions are more important. Our bodily and verbal actions depend on our mental action—on our mentally making a decision.