What wrinkles or variances in the laws of karma have delivered the Old Musician to an enclave of mercy?" What do you think about karma? Do things eventually right themselves or is this an illusion?

The Old Musician understands karma to mean that he'll pay for his crimes, but if that's true "then a temple is the last place he'd expect to be offered a home…What wrinkles or variances in the laws of karma have delivered him to this enclave of mercy, when his actions should've warranted him a punished existence?" What do you think about karma? Do things eventually right themselves or is this an illusion?

I imagine if there is karma that it is much bigger than I or humans can envision. I am not sure that karma is as much about "things righting themselves" as it is about evolving. Late in the book, Tun tells us, "Love is the only rebirth." (p293) Perhaps this is karma, learning to love even when we feel unlovable, even loving those we see as unlovable, even under unloving conditions.

I don't think the Old Musician should suffer, but I do think he seeks repentance and peace for the wrongs he thinks he has committed--and this he does. He reaches out to tell his story to Teera, not so much for forgiveness but so that she will better understand her father's motivations and the relationship between the two men earlier in their lives and then in prison. He finds a sense of peace when he can tell his story to someone who wants so desperately to know the truth.

I dont think Karma necessarily evens things out, rather evolves in a way that one finds acceptance. I remember as a small girl, my grandmother saying “what goes around comes around” that never seem to make sense either. However, once in a great while when something happens, it can be very tempting to say its karma.

The Old Musician punished himself for the crimes he felt he had committed. He eventually found a place where he could find quiet and solitude, where he could think about what he needed to do. He promised he would seek out Sokhon"s wife and daughter. From the peace of the temple he was able to heal and to send a letter to Teera. Karma was working for him and also for Teera. She needed answers to what happened to her family and the Old Musician was able to give them to her. She too was able to move on. I do believe in Karma, if we do not work out our problems here, them maybe in the next life.

The Old Musician was able to find some solace in the temple, but his guilt really outweighed the positive karma of his residence. It was more ironic, I think, that he find a home in this holy, spiritual place. The irony was not lost on the Old Musician. I do believe humans believe in karma, because we must assure ourselves that somehow evil will be punished and good rewarded. In the end, I'd like to think karma played a role in good way for the Old Musician and Teera.