（Photo by Chen Ya Yin)
A Tzu Chi sister asked Master Chen Yen, “Someone made an untruthful statement in the media. Will this person get karmic retribution? Upon hearing the untruthful statement, a brother lashed out and said, “He gets throat cancer because of karmic retribution”.
The Master answered:
This is not how karma works. The throat cancer patient is already in a helpless situation; judging him based on this allegation is going to make him feel worse. Moreover, this concept of karma is a type of superstition based on personal judgment.
Superstition, a belief resulting from ignorance, exists in our everyday life and is highly undesirable. For instance, we wear clothing for protection and modesty. However, nowadays, some people believe in upgrading their social status through wearing or using branded and expensive goods. Some people believe vegetarian food does not provide enough energy needed for the body; some even got into eating live turtles and bears’ paws for health. Some people believe in extravagant beds and cars. These are all superstitious behaviours.
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