In this selection from How to Be Happy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives us a clear understanding of how karma works.

An Australian ex-Catholic, ex-political activist and feminist, Venerable Robina Courtin has been a Buddhist nun since 1978. Teaching Buddhism around the world, she shatters the stereotype of a Buddhist nun, her intense and direct style leaving an indelible impression on everyone she meets. Ven. Robina has worked full time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s FPMT since the late 1970s. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, touring teacher of Buddhism, and executive director of Liberation Prison Project, a project that has supported the Buddhist practice of over 20,000 men and women in prisons around the world since 1996. During her time in the latter role, Ven. Robina regularly visited state penitentiaries to guide death row inmates and others on the path to enlightenment. Determined to harness their minds and deal with their violent crimes, they inspired her to work even harder at her own rigorous spiritual practice. After 14 years of running Liberation Prison Project and helping thousands of prisoners throughout the USA and Australia, Ven. Robina passed on the job of executive director in 2009. She maintains contact with many old friends in prison, and her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.