The primary doctrine of Buddhism is the dependent arising of all phenomena, which encompasses a broad range of subjects. From the perspective of relative truth, this means that when there is a cause, there is an effect. Life’s sorrows and joys, separations and reunions — in fact, all phenomena — arise from their own respective causes. Some we can see, some we cannot. Only very special kinds of persons can comprehend the whole picture. But cause and effect always go hand in hand; they are never apart — no cause, no effect, and vice versa. If we are in pursuit of happiness, we must sow happiness to reap happiness. The seed of happiness is virtuous action. To avoid suffering and misfortune, we must not give rise to their causes. The cause of suffering is doing evil.

 ~ Luminous Wisdom 1: On Cause and Effect