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In this example, i dont share your view that both acts are the same, and yet, yes, both are inadvertently not free of karma, but thru each different action, future karma of related intentions can be altered. If we recognise the unique unfolding of each event with mindful attention, in the previous scene, which might repeat at some future point, we can heighten awareness to avoid accidentally hurting the dog once again, and in the latter scene, which might also repeat at some future point, we can heighten awareness to avoid or at least lessen the identification to a self that gets mad after a stressful work day, both of which will accentuate the karma of right action.

Yes, it creates the karma of a temporary satiation of hunger, which is impermanent, and will, after a time, drive the tiger to hunt and feed again. Same with the habitual tendencies of humans - the difference is that humans have the good fortune to redress these tendencies if they so choose after viewing them in the correct way, whilst animals lack this quality. But lacking in this does not imply freedom from karma. The scale for weighing and meting out effects (which create future causes and vice versa) may be different for each class of being, but none within the 6 realms escape the workings of karma. Hence why it is said that karma is never biased. The flow of Dao, i think, denotes the nature of the various propensities fundamentally existing in both tigers and deers, and all other beings, and not indicative of anything else in this particular instance. There is nothing in nature which is separated from this flow, and yet it is karma which allows the drift to continue. Humans however are the only class of beings that have the potential to alter the patterns of the drift.

You said "The act itself does not create karma" - this is inaccurate. While the underlying motive/s for an action is what drives an act, the act itself is not free of karma unless of course one possesses omniscience equivalent to that of a buddha.

Actions perpetuate a separate set of karmic propensities which in turn determines future intentions, so it is inaccurate to say that actions do not create karma. The above quote means that intention is that which compels karma to arise; it doesn't mean that actions have no karmic propulsion because they do - they drive into existence the next set of intentions based on previous actions, ad infinitum almost. It is intention which creates karma, but actions fuel the continuation.

the pains, alcoholism, and other addictions are not the real darkness, so it says in the teachings. They are the imagined or relative darkness arising from something more fundamental, perpetuated unceasingly by the force of habitual clinging and aversive tendencies. In the absolute sense, mud, lotus and pond are all interdependently linked. If these are seen, and they are for most people, to be independently existing, then grasping and rejecting cannot be avoided. If there is a way to be open and free, this seed will have to be planted in the quality of the space that holds the objects of the senses, rather than the solidness and contraction that is bound tightly through ignorance which gives rise to blind identification with the senses and forming the false perception that these are truly existent and which constitutes a self. In this way, the intention to plant good seeds may prevail from life to life, but these will always end up on infertile ground. A potentially growable seed will always retain its potential, no matter what, but it needs all the necessary elements to come together before it will sprout. Those that lack the potential will return to nature to fulfill its cyclical purpose. Through deep seeing, we will discover that even within a growable seed there are elements of reformed, ungrowable seeds there, each supporting the other in complex ways. Are the processes of human existence somehow spared or excluded from this dynamic interchange? Through introspection, we will be able to find this out for ourselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbhf4HTeHn4

really serious advice. Take heed please

Light here, reflecting on Mahayana notes, refers to 'rangjung yeshe' (self-existing wakefulness), and darkness is a reference to 'marigpa' (ignorance, also 'unawareness' or 'not being able to see'). As per same notes, it is said that all beings possess this self-existing wakeful quality although very often this is shrouded over by habits accrued from grasping/aversive tendencies, which arise and subside according to circumstances.

Maybe you would like to share the reason/s why you think one begins from darkness?

don't miss your water mountain tea leaves are gathered let the brewing start

Thats quite doable, thanks! Do you think it'd be ok to start with a funky rainb0w-coloured theme or would that be a tad too attractive?

it can be frustrating to try and analyse others' behaviour, but very rewarding when we use that energy to keep ours on a true course. This is easily done when we cultivate the practice of mindful living based on simple attention to our actions, speech and mental preoccupations.

Suffering and karma are bound to one who clings to notions of a truly existent self. Loosen these notions to bring forth relief from all suffering and karma.

Chatral Rinpoche offers no-frills advice on a simple and very doable formula to bring forth one's innate buddha mind: No matter where you stay, be it a busy place or a solitary retreat, the only things that you need to conquer are your mind's five poisons, and your own true enemies, the eight worldly concerns - nothing else. Five poisons: Ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride, jealousy. Eight worldy concerns: Hope for happiness and fear of suffering. Hope for fame and fear of insignificance. Hope for praise and fear of blame. Hope for gain and fear of loss. There are four (types of) persons: those who from light, end up in light; those who from darkness, end up in darkness; those who from light, end up in darkness; and those who from darkness, end up in light. Be like the first of these. ~ Nagarjuna (Letter to a Friend)

It wouldn't be fair to just sit and stare, so i guess i'll give it a push now and again *sighs in advance

Any vacancy for a wheel-barrow man by any chance?

imagine in years to come, the term 'citizen' could be replaced by the awful-sounding 'economic dependent'. Economic dependentship. Wouldn't be too surprised because nowadays being a citizen confers nothing unless one is also contributing to the economy in order to be means-tested to receive something back. I reckon this is now a reality in many first-world countries. Its been shaping 21st century Ireland anyway.

Evidence of the deep profundity and achievability of the path of mantrayana. homage to the late Ven. Dorzong Rinpoche. May you attain a swift and auspicious rebirth!

no worries, anytime. Its easy to comment when you speak straight.

this must be one of the most effective conversation/knowledge killer ever to be thought up by the sheer brilliance of mental juggernauts.

~ KYABGÖN PHAKCHOK RINPOCHE ~ I'm going to say a few things candidly... Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behaviour does. Your mind training doesn’t matter when you don’t have compassion. Your meditation doesn’t matter when you don’t see your own faults. Dharma practice doesn’t matter when you don’t have devotion. Obstacles don't matter when you have the blessings.

~ DZONGSAR JAMYANG KHYENTSE RINPOCHE ~ It occurred to me today that I will have to work much, much harder if I am ever even to get close to this thing called ‘enlightenment’—especially when I think of the strange dream I had recently. I was in some kind of a restaurant and drinking coke from a classic coca cola bottle. As often happens in dreams, the ‘absolutely impossible’ suddenly became all too real, and I found myself—my entire body—being sucked into the bottle! And because I’m so attached to my ‘normal’ terms of reference, I really hated being stuck in that bottle. It felt completely wrong! I was furious about not being able to push my head out of its narrow neck, and as there were no hooks to grab hold of, I kept slipping further and further into the belly of the bottle. Then I thought about how absurd and bizarre my situation was. The idea that I’d been sucked into the bottle in the first place defied all logic, so why was I trying to apply logic to get myself out? And I realized that the fact my familiar tool ‘logic’ didn’t work was what I hated most of all! Children are far less fettered by reason and logic than adults. I’m constantly amazed by how carefree they are, and am reminded of something Claudia’s daughter, Sachiko, once did. She was playing with her Barbie doll one day, and as she really liked the doll’s skirt, she decided she wanted to wear it herself. So, completely unselfconsciously, she undressed the doll, convinced that the pretty skirt would fit her. For myself, I can see how tightly bound I am to logic, and if I needed any further proof about just how far from enlightenment I really am, I just have to look at my inability to accept the death of my devoted attendant Karma Lodro. That he was too young to die is a foolish notion, actually, because it suggests that the death of someone older is somehow more acceptable. But this is the dichotomy I’m left with… along with my tremendous gratitude to Karma Lodro.

that none understands the everlasting secret of a good toothpaste