Most of what Paris has in this life (beauty, wealth, health, influence, and opportunity) she did not earn in this life. That is not how karma works. We "inherit" the result of profitable and unprofitable past actions and "earn" our future now. Karma bears exponential results.
Paris Hilton (shown below with sister Nikki) is often criticized for being "famous for being famous," but the 30-year-old reality star says she's worked hard to amass her hefty fortune."I'm involved in my products every step of the way. My fragrances are doing really well at the moment," Hilton tells FHM UK's January issue. "They've produced more than $1.3 billion in revenue since 2005."
"I have 35 stores and 17 product lines. And then there's my racing team, my 14 fragrances and my new project, the Paris Hilton Beach Club chain. The first one is opening in the Philippines soon. It's going to have nightclubs, restaurants, bars, gyms. Everything really." More
It is certain that Paris is hated. Why? Either she is envied or misunderstood or both. Many of us are jealous, without realizing it, because we misunderstand karma.Paris is ostensibly living the life we all want. She is not free of suffering, yet we resent her for having it all: youth, beauty, billions, fame, talent, tons of sex, drugs, and a music career.
"She doesn't deserve it," we insist. "She got it handed to her!"
This is mistaken. She did not inherit money, beauty, or anything else by accident. She inherited her karma. And we will inherit ours -- resentment, a legacy of clinging to wrong views, pettiness, and player hating. Sure, call dumb or useless. But it would be far wiser to cultivate joy-in-her-joy (mudita). Loving kindness (metta) would help.
This is not about Paris. Forget Paris. She's fine. This is about us. This is about our karma. She is burning through her merit (punya) and apparently has a great deal to spare.
Wisdom Quarterly translation (AN V.43)
The Buddha said, "There are five desirable, pleasant, and agreeable things which are rare in the world. What are the five? They are long life, beauty, happiness, fame, and rebirth in the heavens."But of these five things, I do not teach that they are to be obtained by prayers or vows [promising to behave in a certain way in the future]. If one could obtain them by prayers or vows, who would not have it?
"For a noble disciple who wishes to have long life [beauty, happiness, fame, and a fortunate rebirth], it is not fitting that that person should pray for long life or take delight in doing so.
"Rather, one should follow a path of life [a course of conduct, virtuous behavior, profitable karma] that is conducive to longevity [beauty, happiness, fame, and rebirth in the heavens]" (Numerical Discourses, Book of the Fives, 43).
Denial is sweet. But it is better to escape to reality when what goes around comes around. The truth sets us free: Wise reflection helps move us in the direction of liberating wisdom.“By nature I will grow old, get ill, die; everything and everyone dear to me are of a nature to change; separation from them is inevitable. My actions (karma) are my only real belongings. Beings inherit the results of karma. Actions are the womb from which we have sprung. We are the inheritors of our karma, our intentional actions.”
At every moment we choose how we will respond to our circumstances, themselves born of karma. Our choices condition further results. And considering the limitations of our understanding, it seems best to respond to all situations with compassion rather than judgment.
If we want to hate Paris Hilton, we can whistle away our time by asking if she is adding to or expending her store of merit. (We could also build our own). Is she declining or building a future for herself? (Are we building a future for ourselves or busy worrying about what someone else is doing?) Is she learning and growing or getting high and clinging to fleeting beauty, money, and good fortune? (What are we clinging to?) Has she outstripped aging, illness, and death? (Have we?) Does she hear or practice the Dharma? (Do we?) To rehabilitate her image and stay out of jail, she once hired a fake spiritual guru and hung around Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles pretending to read spiritual books like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Poor Paris, poor little rich girl, poor heiress of her karma. She's fine. But how about us?
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