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Bàoyìng (Chinese:報應) is a concept of cosmic and moral reciprocity in theChinese folk religion. It implies that people dwell in a moral universe, a universe that is kept ordained bymores, good actions, thus moral retribution is in fact acosmic retribution.[1] It determinesfate, as written in theBook of Documents: "on the doer of good, heaven sends down all blessings, and on the doer of evil, he sends down all calamities." (書經•湯誥)[2]
InBuddhism andDaoism, bàoyìng is equated to the concept ofdharmic retribution.
The cosmic significance ofbào yìng is better understood exploring other two traditional concepts of fate and meaning:[3]
Mìngyun andyuánfèn are linked, because what appears on the surface to be chance events (for better or worse), are part of the deeper rhythm that shapes personal life based on how destiny is directed.[10] They are ultimately shaped bybào yìng, good action. Recognising this connection has the result of making a person responsible for his or her actions:[11] doing good for others produces further good for oneself and keeps the world in harmony.[12]
