Questions to Master Deshimaru

Question

If someone has a bad karma, how can he or she be interested in zazen?

Answer

Everybody has a bad karma. You too have a bad karma. Karma is not a monolith. There are many different kinds of karma. The source is completely pure, the tributaries are muddy. Every one of your thoughts, every one of your actions influences your body, your face. Every single thing becomes karma. If you tell a lie you create karma. Chanting the Hannya Shingyo creates good karma. Shutting one's mouth in one's everyday life creates good karma. People are forever talking. Silence is a good karma. If you have a longing for fine food and don't eat it you create good karma. If you drink too much whiskey or cognac and then stop, that becomes good karma. But every single thing creates karma. Practicing zazen is the greatest, the absolute karma. But karma is not just one thing. The two sides of the scales must always balance, one good thing weighing against one bad one.