Bitter Fruit or Sweet Fruit? Two Stories of Cause and Effect from the Dhammapada

Have you ever wondered: Why do some people who do evil live in comfort, while those who do good face many obstacles? And is what we harvest today truly the result of what we have sown? Let us listen to two stories from the Dhammapada that Master Thích Chân Quang shared, so we may see clearly how the law of cause and effect (karmic law) operates in our lives.

The story of the butcher Chunda and his final days

Near the Buddha's monastery lived a butcher named Chunda, who raised pigs and slaughtered them using a special technique: he would tie the pig tightly, pound its body to soften the meat, then pour boiling water into its belly to clean the intestines, and finally pour scalding water over the skin to peel it, before cutting its throat to collect the blood. He grew wealthy from this trade, with years of gain and years of loss, and became famous for his delicious roast pork. He lived in comfort, did not believe in cause and effect (karmic law), and never made offerings, practiced generosity, or came to the temple to hear the teachings. When he saw monks passing by, he would even look upon them with contempt and turn his face away.

Yet when his blessings from merit ran out, he fell victim to a terrible illness: he writhed and screamed with the squeals of a pig, crawled about like a pig being beaten, scalded with boiling water, and slaughtered. For seven days, his family blocked the door and would not let him leave, witnessing the horrifying scene. On the seventh day, he collapsed and died, his body blackened as if it had been scorched by fire. The Buddha taught:

It was not the pigs that Chunda was slaughtering as he screamed for seven days; he has died and fallen into the Avici hell.

And the Blessed One spoke this verse:

In this life suffering has arrived, and in the next life suffering will be far greater. The evildoer, full of tears, harvests the bitter fruit he has sown.

The retribution he endured in this life was only a small portion, but in the life to come it would be ten thousand times more dreadful. This is a warning for those who live by evil trades, trusting in their own cleverness and power while looking down on the law of cause and effect (karmic law).

The devout layperson and the chariot to the heavenly realm

In contrast, in the city of Savatthi there lived a wealthy layperson who lived a deeply virtuous life. He was famous for caring for poor travelers, regularly made offerings to the Sangha, and taught his fourteen children to do good deeds. Before dying, he knew in advance the day and hour of his passing, and asked to hear the Satipatthana Sutta. As the Sangha chanted, he saw the entire sky blaze with light, with many chariots of the devas landing in mid-air, eagerly inviting him to their realms. He chose the Tushita heaven, where the bodhisattva Maitreya teaches the Dharma. The Buddha confirmed:

In this life joy has arrived, and in the next life joy will be far greater. The virtuous person, full of happiness, harvests the sweet fruit he has sown.

This story shows that the virtuous receive their blessings from merit in the present life, especially at the moment of death, when radiant images of blissful realms appear. What matters is that they planted wholesome seeds throughout their lives, and they did not believe in what their ordinary eyes could see; yet because their mind/heart was pure, they naturally received such fruits of karma.

Why does practice bring misfortune?

Hearing the story above, you may wonder: "Why do I encounter misfortune even though I practice the Buddha's teachings (Dharma)?" Master Thích Chân Quang explains that there are two causes.

The first is making a great vow. Some people, upon first encountering the Dharma, make the vow, "I vow to offer my very life so that all sentient beings may attain Buddhahood" — a truly magnificent aspiration. Yet in many past lives they still carried debts and grievances. When they wish to escape samsara (cycle of rebirth), old karma comes pressing to collect its debts, bringing them many hardships and trials. This is a process of repaying debts in order to cross the border of samsara (cycle of rebirth), much like having to pay off all your bank loans before you can travel abroad. Such a person needs perseverance, and must not lose heart even amid suffering.

The second is practicing on the wrong path. Some people have wholesome roots from past lives, but in this life they encounter false teachers and teachings of wrong view. When they begin following that path, misfortunes come one after another, because the devas and bodhisattvas create obstacles to warn them to stop. If you practice and meet with many setbacks, yet your vow was only a small one, then examine the path you are walking: Is your teacher genuine? Does the teaching align with the Buddha's? What matters most is whether or not your mind/heart wavers.

Master Chân Quang also reminds us: Some people do evil yet encounter good luck, because they have no path left to turn back; they once had wholesome conditions (dependent origination), but those have now run out. Their doing evil while still enjoying comfort is merely a sign of decline, after which they must endure the fruits of karma for many lives to come.

The sign of a correct path

How can we know we are practicing correctly? Master Chân Quang shares a practical piece of wisdom:

When you practice here, do you feel ordinary, or do you feel wonderful? Feeling ordinary in your practice is a sure thing, but feeling wonderful means beware — you may have gone off the path.

A true practitioner never feels superior or better than others. The more they practice, the more they see themselves as a speck of dust between heaven and earth. That is the sign of true progress. If your practice gives rise to arrogance, and you believe you have attained the Dharma, be careful — you may be walking the wrong path.

Conclusion

Cause and effect (karmic law) never fails; only the timing differs. The wicked may enjoy temporary comfort but will harvest bitter fruit for a whole future life. The virtuous may face immediate hardship but will receive sweet fruit for all eternity. So wherever you find yourself, sow wholesome seeds each day: help others, practice making offerings, and keep your mind/heart pure. If you meet with challenges, do not lose heart; examine your path again, and above all, always keep a humble mind/heart. When the day comes for you to depart this life, you will find that the life to come holds far more than you ever hoped for.