Releasing Lives: The Secret to Cleansing the Karma of Taking Life and Generating Great Blessings

Have you ever wondered why people like to release living creatures at the beginning of the year? Is it merely to seek blessings, or could there be a deeper reason? Today, let us listen to the teachings of Venerable Thich Chan Quang to understand the true meaning of releasing lives.

**Eating Meat is Indirectly Taking Life – Understanding Karma Correctly** We often think that if we do not kill anyone ourselves, we bear no karma for taking life. However, according to Venerable Chan Quang, this is not entirely accurate. He points out that when we eat meat, we are implicitly asking others to kill for us. If we did not consume it, others would not kill to provide it. Therefore, by eating, we have indirectly participated in the act of taking life.

It is a sobering thought that the person eating bears the vast majority of the karmic burden. Venerable Chan Quang explains that the consumer is responsible for about ninety percent of the karma, while the one who directly kills bears only about ten percent. Thus, even without holding a knife, each meal can become a source of accumulated karma. This is why releasing lives is a practice to help cleanse the karma built up over many lifetimes.

**Why Do the Wicked Sometimes Prosper? The Karmic Law is Never Lost** Some people live comfortably their entire lives despite committing many harmful acts. The Venerable explains that this happens because the blessings from their merit in past lives are still abundant. As long as those blessings from merit remain, even very serious wrongdoing in this life may not immediately result in punishment or retribution.

However, he recounts a story of a man who loved fishing all his life and enjoyed great wealth. His end came when he choked on a fish hook, dying in the manner of the creatures he had caught. Once his blessings from merit were exhausted, the karmic fruit arrived. This illustrates that cause and effect (karmic law) operates perfectly, even if its timing is not always obvious.

**Releasing Lives – Cleansing Karma and Cultivating Compassion** Releasing animals does more than help dissolve existing karma; it also nurtures our capacity for compassion. As Venerable Chan Quang teaches, it is a powerful method for healing illness. Healing must address the root karma. Until that karma is purified, no amount of medicine can fully heal the body.

He shares that many people with terminal illnesses, feeling hopeless, have recovered through the practices of releasing lives and repentance. This stands as testimony to the transformative power of cultivating a mind that cherishes all living beings.

**A Great Life – Great Blessings from Protecting Life** Those who regularly release lives accumulate great blessings related to their own lifespan and vitality. The Venerable affirms that possessing the virtue of cherishing life—the blessing of protecting lives—leads to a long and fortunate existence across many lifetimes.

He offers the example of Napoleon, who often miraculously survived bullets on the battlefield due to his great karmic destiny of life. Generals and leaders frequently possess this blessing, allowing them to endure many perils. This great destiny is nurtured through compassion and the protection of life.

**Planting Trees is Also Releasing Lives – The Blessing of Wealth** The practice is not limited to freeing fish or birds. Planting trees is also an act of nurturing life. The Venerable teaches that those who plant many forests will one day enjoy the blessings of wealth and abundance.

He tells the story of a dedicated forest ranger who diligently planted trees. Though he never sold any timber, his family's financial situation improved through unexpected luck coming from other directions, a fruit of his wholesome action.

**Loving Your Illness – Facing Adversity** Illness is an inevitable part of life, which no one can entirely avoid. Yet, we can change our perspective towards it. Venerable Chan Quang advises us to learn to embrace our illness, not to fear it, but to face it with courage.

He recounts how when the Buddha was cursed and insulted by people, he did not avoid them but walked directly into their midst. This attitude of confronting adversity directly transforms it into an opportunity for spiritual growth and demonstrating unwavering mindfulness.

Releasing lives, planting trees, and cherishing life are not simple, isolated actions. They are a path of accumulating blessings, cleansing karma, and bringing peace to both body and mind. Let us begin today, with one small act each day, to fill our lives with peace and merit.