From The Biography of the Great Master Pema Duddul (who attained rainbow body)
When Pema Duddul’s father passed away, his sister starved to death, and his mother and him (once the family of a government official) were reduced to beggars. Even when they managed to beg a little food, it was stolen from them. An ordinary person would have been filled with resentment, but Pema Duddul perceived that, in a past life, he had abused his power to pay less for 500 sheets of gold foil, causing loss to the seller. Now, as this karma ripened, he became a beggar and even what little he had was stolen.
Pema Duddul endured immense suffering. Once, while sitting among many monks reciting prayers for a family, the patron angrily drove him away, shouting, "Are we so poor and pitiful that we need a beggar to perform prayers for us?" A revered lama of that time, upon hearing of the master’s plight, was deeply saddened: "My precious Tulku, to think that the death of his father has brought him to such misery!" He then sent for the master and provided him with food and care.
When the master and his mother went begging, many refused to give them anything, saying that meeting such destitute people was bad luck and contaminating. However, one family in Naqu offered them food, an act that Pema Duddul never forgot. Even in his later years, while teaching his disciples, he would recall this kindness with deep gratitude.
~~
HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
Taking advantage of others or being opportunistic is an act that goes against the principle of cause-and-effect (ie, you wish for benefits but you only end up harming yourself.) Even if your usual behavior is upright and you have a kind and compassionate disposition, if you do not respect these subtle laws of karma, you will only destroy yourself in the end.
~~
Foolish people are greedy about small gains in the short-term while wise people make plans for the long run. Perfecting one’s own inner qualities is creating the most excellent cause for all future happiness and enjoyments.
~~
Losing wealth and possessions is only a temporary setback. A damaged reputation brings suffering for only one lifetime. But acting without regard to cause-and-effect brings sufferings for countless lives. Therefore, even if you lose wealth, possessions and reputation, you should never lose the correct view of cause-and-effect.
