A Buddhist friend had ask me (do I have the slightest idea) about Karma? The Philosophical Implementations of Buddha`s Teachings: I) Dependent Origination II) Karma III) The Theory of Universal Flux IV) The Not-Self (Anatta) Let us focus to his (this friend`s) `wanna know`... Karma: The theory of Karma (which Buddha borrowed from Hinduism) is the moral application of dependent origination. It is an inexorable, immutable law of justice and moral retribution which states, in as many words, that every single act has its necessary, inescapable consequence, be it for better or for worse. As the Dhammapada puts it. Neither in the sky, nor in the midst of the sea, nor by entering into the clefts of mountains, is there known a place on earth where, stationing himself, a man can escape from (the consequences of) his evil deeds. There can be no relaxation to the law, for the slightest deviation will break down the structure of causal necessity which runs through the theory of dependent origination. Together with the theory the karma there is also the theory of the transmigration of souls (another Hindu loan to Buddhism). Not only does karma govern this but, also, our previous lives. In fact, in accordance with the manner in which we lived our previous life, karma determines in what station or status we shall be reborn in this life. A good past life may earn for us the reward of being born as a human being. Invariably the animal life was the punishment for those who fell below human qualifications. It becomes difficult in such a society to argue the case for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Of course, the thought that a donkey may be your dead uncle may deter you from beating it. But, by the same token, you cannot object to a man beating a dog and defending himself on the ground that whoever the dog may be, that person must have lived a very evil life to have been reborn as a dog - and so he/it deserves punishment! In defect of the theory of karma is that it can easily give rise to the problem of despair if faithfully believe in and applied to the ups and downs of the moral struggle. Despair, in turn, destroys the psychological drive or impetus, which must be present for healthy participation in the moral struggle. with Alex Lee Poh Leng Regi Lim Phee Boon Jin Vincent CV UH
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:05:40 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015