White Tara said:
“The first important precept for a Buddhist follower is to avoid killing. There are five extremely severe transgressions known as the heinous crimes, and they are also the most difficult to rectify. These include killing one's father or mother, killing an arhat, causing a buddha to bleed, and killing a sage or a monk. The consequences of committing these acts of killing are very hard to purify or undo. That’s why they are known as the five heinous crimes.”
I asked:
“What about the karmic consequence of creating a schism in the Sangha?”
White Tara said:
“The Sangha is a group of monks and nuns who live harmoniously and practice together. If someone creates conflict or division within the Sangha, it is like destroying the collective wisdom of all the monks and nuns. The karmic repercussion for this wrongdoing is immensely severe, similar to the consequences of committing the five most heinous crimes. This offense will result in punishment in the Hell of Uninterrupted Suffering (Avici Hell). The length of time one must suffer in this hell is endless.”
(The sins listed above are the most severe karmic transgressions!)
White Tara said:
“No matter what is said, the act of killing is listed as the most severe sin which leads to the three lower realms. It is crucial for cultivators to be aware of and avoid the three types of killing. First, there is killing driven by greed or desire. This occurs when one craves the victim’s flesh, their skin, or seeks benefits from their death. Second, there is killing driven by anger. This involves committing murder out of envy, jealousy, hatred, or resentment, typically over money or lust. Third, there is killing arising from ignorance. This includes actions such as destroying bird nests, beehives, ant colonies, and so on.”
White Tara said:
“Crimes involving evil intentions, scheming, plotting assassinations, actual killing and being without remorse cannot be forgiven or overlooked!”
***
The words of White Tara led me to think of Genghis Khan, the Great Khan of Mongolia, also known as Temujin. Genghis Khan was known for his brave and skilled army, and he established the vast Mongol empire.
During Genghis Khan's invasion of India, he recalled the existence of a Taoist master named Qiu Chang-chun in northern China.
With this in mind, Genghis Khan extended an invitation to Qiu Chang-chun to meet him at the Indian border. His intention was to consult him about the Tao.
Qiu Chang-chun traveled day and night until he reached the Indian border.
Genghis Khan asked:
“What is Tao?”
Taoist master Qiu Chang-chun only answered:
“To kill less people!”
Genghis Khan and Taoist master Qiu Chang-chun made an agreement involving a Copper Symbol and Iron Seal. Eventually, Genghis Khan invaded China. The residents of northern China pasted the Copper Symbol of Qiu Chang-chun on their doors. As long as they did so, Mongolian troops would not break in and kill the residents. Thus, many lives were spared.
I would say: Genghis Khan. Qin Shi Huang. Emperor Wu of Han. Alexander the Great. Julius Caesar. And others.
All of them killed countless people through unimaginable acts of violence. Their sins were so grave that they must endure endless suffering in hell. Even now, they are still there, tormented by excruciating agony!
***
Tantric practitioners cultivate qi (energy), channels, and drops (inner essence). Both qi and inner fire, vital to their practice, utilize nutrition derived from the meat of animals.
Tantric practitioners also know that one should not kill.
Therefore, before eating and drinking, they perform a spiritual deliverance practice.
They use mantras, mudras, and visualizations to guide the spirits of the animals that will be consumed to higher realms, providing them with spiritual deliverance.
(By doing so, there will be no negative karma.)
Buddha once said: