A person's destiny is arguably bound by God's predestination, past karma, or the burden of inherited sin. But several texts in this section reject the notion that such conditions impinge in any way on one's individual respon- sibility. They argue against a fatalistic attitude born of the belief that one's life is predestined. They also repudiate any illusion that the results of an individual's evil behavior can be mitigated by rank or family connections. Regardless of the conditions by which one person may be afflicted and another favored, every person is a responsible agent who will be called to account for his own deeds.
Individual responsibility means an attitude of self-criticism.
We should not blame others for our own difficulties, but rather look for the cause within ourselves. This is an especially prominent theme in Chinese religion, which makes self-rectification the basis for all ethical and political life. And now, brethren, I take my leave of you. All the constituents of being are transitory. Work out your salvation with diligence.