Storing Good Karma

—adapted from Everyday Consciousness and Primordial Awareness by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

If we are not able to practice the true dharma in a perfect way—for example, when we only practice occasionally—the karmic imprints will not get lost, because they are stored with the mind, i.e., the all-base. They function like a rooted seed that will grow bit by bit. Some practitioners think that their practice does not manifest any results; nevertheless, jut carrying this seed of practice is very beneficial.

The Buddha Shakyamuni taught that even practicing only a small act of dharma activity is beneficial. When he was asked whether it was beneficial to show your respect by just raising one hand instead of folding both in a gesture of prayer, he explained that ultimately the level of buddhahood can be reached throught doing only that. The reason for the attainment of such an unsurpassable result is not the raising of one hand—there is no inherent benefit in this—but it is the karmic imprint of respect that is stored within the all-base.