The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, stated that there are five deeds we can do that may make it impossible for us to ever attain Enlightenment. This is because it takes a certain kind of mind to commit these deeds and that mind must be able to "turn" itself into Truth.
In order to attain true mental change, one has to develop true wisdom and compassion in balance. This may be beyond the ability of the individual or beyond the desire of an individual to enter the "Path." Some persons cannot change without profound and perhaps prolonged guidance (of the Teachings).
There is no escape from karmic results, which are beyond knowing, but peace of mind is possible, then, as is Enlightenment, for that individual if true and real Right Understanding becomes part of the person.
These actions are:
1) Killing one's Father
2) Killing one's Mother
3) Killing an Arhat (one who is becoming Enlightened)
4) Causing a Buddha to shed blood
5) Causing disharmony in the Sangha as it causes the death of the environment needed to hear the Teachings. |
