The Relationship Between Cause and Effect: From Ancient Times to the Present

(Minghui.org) Being a good person is fundamental to humanity. However, some people fail to recognize this and persist with their wrongdoings. They ultimately suffer the consequences of their actions.

Below are several examples, from ancient times to today.

Qin Hui

According to the History of Song, Qin Hui served as a chancellor during the Song Dynasty, and he held that high position for 19 years. During that time, he vigorously promoted humiliating peace negotiations with invading forces, formed cliques for personal gain, and fabricated charges to frame loyal officials such as Yue Fei.

Several decades after Qin’s death, the reigning emperor acknowledged the harm Qin had caused. His posthumous title was revoked and he was later listed in the “Biographies of Traitorous Ministers” in the History of Song. The kneeling statues of Qin and his wife in front of the Yue Fei Temple have stood as a testimony to this history for centuries.

Yan Song

According to the History of Ming, Chancellor Yan Song was renowned for writing and painting. After gaining the trust of Emperor Shizong of Ming, Yan and his son Yan Shifan weilded power for 20 years. During their tenure, they accepted bribes and engaged in widespread corruption. To further consolidate his power, Yan framed and killed many loyal officials including Grand Secretary Xia Yan.

In 1562, Censor Zou Yinglong impeached the Yan family for illegal activities. The Emperor removed Yan from his post and executed his son. The entire family was stripped of their titles and their property was confiscated. Suffering from poverty and illness, Yan wandered his ancestral graveyard, begging for food before succumbing to a tragic death. Like Qin, he was also listed in the “Biographies of Traitorous Ministers” in the History of Ming.

Buddha’s Explanation of Karma

Some people may wonder why certain individuals seemed to commit bad deeds without suffering consequences, and even enjoyed good lives. Buddha Shakyamuni addressed this question about 2,500 years ago.

Using the metaphor “from sweetness to bitterness,” Shakyamuni explained the process of karmic retribution for bad deeds. The seeds of bad karma do not immediately germinate, just like freshly squeezed milk does not immediately curdle and sour. Instead, the bad karma operates covertly, like covered up embers, ready to ignite and consume the wrongdoer at any time.

Therefore, those who are ignorant often believe they have gained an advantage or tasted sweetness after committing evil. However, when their karma matures and manifests, they inevitably suffer endless torment; no matter where one flees, there is no place in the world where can escape the retribution for the bad deeds one has committed.

Regarding karmic retribution, Shakyamuni explained that anyone who uses violence to harm an unarmed or innocent person will inevitably repay the victim’s suffering and loss through ten kinds of terrible calamities. These include severe pain, injury, serious illness, mental instability, lawsuits and punishments, severe false accusations, death and separation of relatives, depletion of property, and destruction of one’s house by fire.

The Modern Society

After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched its persecution of the meditation practice Falun Gong in July 1999, tens of millions of practitioners faced discrimination and mistreatment for upholding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Many were arrested, detained, and tortured. Consequently, some CCP officials met with retribution for their actions.

* Wang Wenhai was the director and secretary of the Henan Provincial Department of Justice and the head of the 610 Office from 2008. During his tenure, he persecuted innocent Falun Gong practitioners. After committing vicious deeds for 13 years, Wang was investigated in July 2021. In 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, and died in custody on October 13, 2024.

* Yang Mingkuan served as director of the Zhennan Police Station in Liaoning Province from 2003 to 2008. From 2008 to 2017, he was captain of the Domestic Security Brigade of the Jianchang County Police Department, where he was responsible for persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. In 2017, he was promoted to deputy director of the Jianchang County Police Department, in charge of suppressing Falun Gong. Yang later retired in 2021. On the morning of June 22, 2026, he suddenly collapsed and died at age 65 while walking in Jianchang Water Park.

* Shen Xiangfu was former head of the Public Prosecution Section of the Jinlin District Procuratorate in Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province. He was involved in almost every wrongful conviction case against Falun Gong practitioners in the area since 2002, causing immense suffering to kind-hearted people. After committing bad deeds for 23 years, Shen was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025.

* Zhou Yun served as director of the Anshun Police Department and secretary of the Political and Legal Committee (PLAC) from 2004. During his rein, he was involved in many cases where Falun Gong practitioners were wrongfully sentenced, and even lost their lives. After committing evil deeds for 21 years, Zhou was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 1.2 million yuan. Authorities confiscated the bribes he received and the accumulated interest.

The law of cause and effect is real, and it holds true regardless of who or where we are. By listening to our conscience and doing good deeds, we benefit both ourselves and our families.