The Boomerang of Karma: How Misusing Power and Wealth Brings Suffering Back
Life has a strange way of balancing itself. You might think that with money, power, reputation, and status, you are untouchable. Many people with influence fall into this trap. They believe they can do whatever they want spend money on harmful habits, misuse authority, seek revenge, cheat others, and act without thinking twice. At that moment, it feels permanent, as if power will never fade. But here’s the reality: karma never forgets.
Whether good or bad, every action bears fruit. Buddhist teachings make this crystal clear through the law of kamma (karma) and its results:
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Diṭṭhadhammavedanīya-kamma – Results in this very life.
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Upapajjavedanīya-kamma – Results in the next life.
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Aparāpariyavedanīya-kamma – Results in future lives until liberation is attained.
This means no one escapes the results of their actions, no matter how hidden or powerful they may seem today.
The Illusion of Power and Permanence
Wealth and authority can create a dangerous illusion. It feels like having an invincible shield like nothing can touch you. You see people with high positions spending lavishly on harmful habits, taking revenge, or crushing others for personal gain. In the short term, it may even look like they are winning.
But history is full of stories of politicians, kings, business leaders, and celebrities who misused their influence only to end their lives in disgrace, prison, or misery. At the peak of power, they thought it was forever. At the end, they stood helpless and alone.
Understanding Kamma: Cause and Effect
Kamma isn’t a mysterious punishment system. It’s a natural law, like gravity. Just as throwing a stone upward ensures it will fall, an unwholesome deed guarantees a painful result sooner or later.
The Three Types of Kamma Results
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Diṭṭhadhammavedanīya – Some actions bring results in this very lifetime.
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Example: A corrupt leader misusing public funds may enjoy temporary luxury but eventually faces exposure, legal punishment, or public disgrace.
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Upapajjavedanīya – Some results ripen in the next life.
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Example: Someone who cruelly exploits others may be reborn into a lower realm of suffering.
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Aparāpariyavedanīya – Some results carry forward across countless lives.
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Example: A deeply ingrained habit of cruelty or greed plants seeds that follow until finally exhausted through karmic fruition or enlightenment.
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This is why Buddhism says: “Without coming back, it isn’t over.” Both wholesome and unwholesome actions follow us like a shadow.
The Ancient Warning: No Escape from Evil Deeds
The Buddha’s words are direct and unshakable:
“Na antalikkhe na samudda majjhe, na pabbatānaṁ vivaraṁ pavissa; na vijjatī so jagatippadeso, yatthaṭṭhito mucceyya pāpakammā.”
Translation: “Neither in the sky, nor in the middle of the ocean, nor in a cave in the mountains, is there a place in the world where one may escape the results of one’s evil deeds.”
This verse is like a thunderclap. You can’t hide in wealth, in politics, in fame, or even in isolation. Karma always finds you.
Examples from Real Life
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Political Downfalls: Many powerful politicians who misused their authority eventually ended up in prison or exile. Once adored, they left this world dishonored.
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Wealthy Misusers: Rich individuals who funded destructive habits often lost everything health, money, and family.
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Revenge Seekers: People who pursued revenge wasted their peace of mind, ending up consumed by anger and regret.
These stories prove that unwholesome actions bring suffering sometimes instantly, sometimes after decades, sometimes in future lives.
Why People Still Choose Bad Deeds
If karma is certain, why do people still choose to act unwholesomely?
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Delusion: They believe their power shields them from consequences.
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Greed: Desire for more blinds them.
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Anger: In revenge, logic disappears.
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Pride: They think they are above others and above the law of cause and effect.
But delusion is temporary. Reality always arrives.
The Danger of Secret Misdeeds
Some people think, “No one saw me, so it doesn’t count.” This is another illusion. Karma doesn’t need witnesses. Even when actions are done in secret, the mind records it. That mental imprint becomes the seed of future suffering.
The Shortness of Life
Life is fragile, unpredictable, and short. Rich or poor, young or old, all must face death. At the final moment, money, power, and reputation cannot save you. Only your past deeds accompany you. Wouldn’t it be wise to carry wholesome actions instead of a heavy burden of regret?
The Power of Wholesome Karma
The law works both ways. Just as unwholesome deeds bring suffering, wholesome deeds bring joy. Helping others, speaking kindly, living honestly, and practicing compassion create supportive karma that brings peace in this life and safety in future ones.
Imagine carrying light instead of chains. Which is better at the moment of death?
How to Avoid Misusing Wealth and Power
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Practice Mindfulness: Always pause before acting. Ask, “Will this cause harm to me or others?”
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Choose Compassion Over Revenge: Forgiveness frees the mind, while revenge traps it.
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Spend Wisely: Use money for good causes education, health, charity instead of destructive habits.
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Live Transparently: If your action needs to be hidden, it is likely unwholesome.
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Remember Impermanence: Today’s power and wealth are temporary. One illness, one election, one market crash and it can all vanish.
The Noble Path to Freedom
The Buddha didn’t only warn against bad karma. He also showed the way out the Noble Eightfold Path.
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Right View
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Right Intention
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Right Speech
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Right Action
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Right Livelihood
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Right Effort
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Right Mindfulness
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Right Concentration
By living in alignment with this path, one gradually weakens unwholesome tendencies and strengthens wholesome ones, moving closer to liberation.
Conclusion
The message is clear and urgent: Don’t misuse money, power, or reputation for unwholesome purposes. Karma always returns whether today, tomorrow, or lifetimes ahead. The belief that “this will last forever” is the greatest illusion.
When the final day comes, no wealth or title will protect you. Only your karma walks beside you. Choose wisely. Plant seeds of kindness, honesty, and compassion. This life is short, noble friends use it to build peace, not regret.
FAQs
Namo Buddhaya!
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