Will Our Daily Intentional and Unintentional Actions of Body, Speech, and Mind Incur Karmic Results?

The actions of body, speech, and mind are categorized as wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral non-defined karmas, encompassing both intentional and unintentional physical, verbal, and mental actions. Regardless of whether these actions are wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral, once performed, they plant seeds within the Tathagatagarbha. When conditions ripen, these seeds will yield karmic retribution. Thus, all karmic actions bear fruit, though the retribution differs. Intentional actions yield greater retribution, while unintentional actions yield lesser retribution; this applies to both wholesome and unwholesome deeds.

Intentional wholesome actions yield greater wholesome retribution (here, 'intentional' means with a wholesome mind). Unintentional wholesome actions yield lesser wholesome retribution (here, 'unintentional' means without originally intending to perform a wholesome act, yet coincidentally performing one). Intentional unwholesome actions yield greater unwholesome retribution (here, 'intentional' means with an unwholesome mind). Unintentional unwholesome actions yield lesser unwholesome retribution (here, 'unintentional' means without originally having an unwholesome mind, yet coincidentally performing an unwholesome act).

Regardless, retribution is inevitable. When physical, verbal, or mental actions occur, the Tathagatagarbha records them. Intentional actions are recorded as intentional, and unintentional actions are recorded as unintentional. They are then stored as seeds, and future retribution will manifest. The seeds of these actions are projected outwards but also return to the Tathagatagarbha, bringing back the information of the actions to become karmic seeds.

Otherwise, why would sentient beings have so many karmic obstructions and endure so much suffering? The Tathagatagarbha's recording is not done with deliberate intent; it simply follows certain laws, procedures, and processes, naturally recording all karmic actions. Any physical, verbal, or mental actions performed towards others will inevitably rebound in the future, returning with heavy interest to be endured. Naturally, wholesome actions also accrue high interest, and sentient beings will receive the amplified retribution of their wholesome karma.