What are the Karmic Consequences of a Person Who is Dirty and Untidy?

Question: What are the karmic consequences of a person who is dirty and untidy? 

The 10 meritorious actions do not cover this, so does it mean it is alright to be dirty and untidy? 

I am particular about being clean and tidy and because of this, I have offended / irritated many people. I realise that this may be considered an attachment which I need to discard. Is this correct? How do I handle people who dirty my house and make it untidy? 

I am puzzled - if I try cultivating the 10 good deeds but cannot tolerate someone who is dirty, does it mean my karmic effect will be worse than this person who is dirty and annoys me? It seems to me to be so because I am "angry" which is unwholesome, right? But, does this person who is dirty 'get away with it'? 

Response: While the Ten Virtuous Karmas do not refer specifically to being dirty and untidy, cleanliness and neatness are implied in both the first karma of not killing and the last of no ignorance. 

The underlying meaning of "do not kill" is that we should respect and have compassion for all beings. "All beings" includes everything: the environment, plants, minerals, and natural phenomena, which are formed when many conditions meet. Keeping our things and homes clean and tidy is how we show respect to inanimate objects. This respect for inanimate "beings" helps us to be more respectful to animals and humans.  

The underlying meaning of the tenth karma "no ignorance" is that we should discipline ourselves and calm our minds so we can act from wisdom. Disciplining ourselves means we not only try to adhere to the Ten Virtuous Karmas literally, but that we try to understand their more profound meanings and strive to follow these. Wisdom gives us the ability to know how to skillfully help others become better people. 

Regarding being "attached" to cleanliness. I can aspire to keeping my home clean without being attached to doing so. With attachments, I am clinging to people, ideas, possessions, etc. But in being clean and tidy, I am aspiring to practice respect and humility. Attachments hold us back from awakening; aspirations advance us on the path. Through my own cleaning and tidying, I am calming my mind. By fussing at others for not being tidy, I am disturbing my calm mind and become angry, thus breaking the ninth Virtuous Karma.  

By fussing at others for doing something wrong, I am approaching correcting bad habits incorrectly. We are supposed to correct our own faults, not the faults of others. Actually, we're not even supposed to bear in mind the faults of others.   

As for the karmic effects in this situation, if you are trying to cultivate the Ten Virtuous Karmas and becoming angry, then you are going against that ninth karma of "no anger."  

Finally, there is no "getting away" with something. The consequences of our thoughts, words, and actions will catch up with us. We just don't know when. 

I do not have the ability to know what the karmic cause and effect of various actions is, but the answer to your first question, “What are the karmic consequences of a person who is dirty and untidy?” may well be that others will make what is yours dirty and untidy. 

Realizing that what is happening is the result of our own past karma can help us be more accepting and understanding of the situations we find ourselves in.

Thanks for the great question!