Believing that any phenomenon is the result of actions performed in past lives, believing that everything is created by an omniscient and omnipotent ruler, or believing that there is no particular cause or reason for any occurring phenomenon are representative premises that lead to misunderstandings or irrational views regarding karma.
If a person becomes a murderer, a thief, or an adulterer, but his misguided behavior stems from past actions, or is caused by a supernatural absolute being, or simply occurred by chance, then this person does not need to be held accountable for his evil deeds.
Another misconception regarding karma is the idea that it operates only for those who act according to their beliefs. However, a person's destiny in the afterlife is not limited to those who have chosen a specific religion. Regardless of what religion one practices, a person's destiny depends entirely on the actions they perform through their body, speech, and thoughts.
The specific religious label they adhere to is not particularly important. This is because their life in the afterlife is destined to be happy, at the very least, if they have performed good deeds or lived a blameless life. If a person has committed evil deeds or harbored wicked thoughts, they are rightfully destined to be born into a body that lives an unhappy life. Therefore, Buddhists should not make declarations such as claiming that only they are blessed individuals who can go to heaven after death. Regardless of what religion one has declared they practice, only their actions (thoughts and intentions) can determine their destiny in this life or the next.
The teaching of karma does not reveal justice after death. The Buddha never taught the law of karma to protect wealth or as a means to comfort the poor by vaguely promising happiness in the next life.
According to the teachings of the Buddha, karma served as a means of explaining the inequalities that exist among humanity. These inequalities in genetic, environmental, or other unexplainable inherent factors are from karma, the consequences of the actions (thoughts and intentions) we ourselves have committed. Indeed, karma is one of the major factors determining success or failure in our lives.
Because karma is an invisible force, we cannot observe its activities with the naked eye. To understand how karma operates, we can compare it to a seed. The results of karma are stored within our subconscious, just as a seed exists in the form of a stem, flower, fruit, and branch. Just as a tree's leaves and stem emerge from a very small and fine seed, the fruits of karma will be produced well under favorable conditions, such as adequate moisture and light.
The workings of karma can also be compared to a bank account. A person who possesses virtue, tolerance, and compassion throughout their life is one who has accumulated a great wealth of good karma. Such a person, having built up good karma, can undoubtedly live a life free from hardship.
However, they must inevitably replace the good karma and merits they have performed with the same when their account is depleted or when they are declared bankrupt one day. Given this, who can blame or resent their own wretched reality? They cannot blame others or fate. The party responsible is solely themselves.
Therefore, a true Buddhist can never become an escapist. A true Buddhist must confront life as it is and must not run away from it. The power of karma is not controlled by inaction.
Instead, vigorous actions toward goodness is an indispensable element for one's own happiness.
