Karma help?

mehfesto2

I have been reading about Buddhism for a few weeks now, having discovered that I did not enjoy or accept the views of Christianity. I do respect people who do however, but for myself, I needed something more suitable.

Howeve, whilst reading some Buddhist literature, I became very confused about the concept of Karma. From what I could gather from this author, Karma in a basic sense punishes 'bad' "choices" or inappropriate living, and "thus explains why we have mentally handicapped people and disfigured people also".

However, the text also read that Buddhism also has no immediate 'higher being', no god. (I hope Im right so far, and that I havn't offended anyone-no my views, but rather what I have read.) Surely then there needs to be some form of intervention deciding who is good and who is bad. be it a spirit, a big bearded man or just a form of energy, this 'being' is higher, deciding how our lives pan out.

My question then is whether or not Karma is not a true biddhist belief, or whether it is not essential to being a buddhist. As a nurse, I find it hard to accept that some of the kindest pople I have ever met were handicapped as a result of bad choices. Otherwise, I enjoy what I have read so far about Buddhism and wish to adopt it into my way of living.

Thanks for any help.
(oh and if you wouldn't mind sending me a private msg if/when you respond to this thread, jsut to say you've replied-Im still getting used to the ropes here.)

Thanks.
Sean

Sonderval

Hey there (and hello forum!),

I think alot of people get hung up on the concepts of good/bad karma. I believe this to be a misunderstanding. Karma is not doled out by higher beings - it is a result of some action or inaction in the world. There is no arbiter sitting these measuring out bad karma.

Some quotes I found interesting (but I do advocate independant analysis of this subject):


"...kamma is entirely one’s own property, that we alone are the owner of our deeds, and that no one else is responsible for our actions, our kamma."
--Sayadaw U Silananda. Volition. p.17

"Since kamma is your own, you are the architect of your life….Since beings get results according to their kamma, no one can help another in getting those results. In addition to teaching self-reliance, knowledge of kamma teaches a sense of individual responsibility."
--Sayadaw U Silananda. Volition. p.20

Hope this is of some use

mehfesto2

I think I get the gist of it now. Still a bit unclear. Is it possible for anyone to answer the following questions for me so?

1. Karma, or Kamma so, is an individualistic piece of each individual person, that prevents 'Fate' from being a reality?

And if we hold views deemed to be 'bad' by society but see them ourselves as 'okay', our Kamma will produce good results???

I feel I have totally the wrong end of the stick here, but if anyone could direct me to some reading material either on the 'net or in book from that would be very helpful.

thanks again!

Asiaprod

Hi mehfesto2
A while back we had a very interesting debate on Karma. Here is the link http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054892374 Have a read of it and let me know if it answers your questions, or if it has given you even more questions to ask here:) Will be happy to help answer them for you.

In simplest terms it just means "action"... that's the translation anyway

but yes the link should help ^^

MeditationMom

by mehfesto2 - As a nurse, I find it hard to accept that some of the kindest people I have ever met were handicapped as a result of bad choices. .

If you think of it as a choice they may have made before reincarnation in order to grow spiritually, rather than punishment that was doled out to them by the Universe or God, it works better. Still doesn't mean it's true one way or the other, but it "works" better.

Maybe you are the one who is living a harder life than them. You bring them food, take care of them, they don't have to work, they are kind and grateful all the time, in a way they are your teachers...maybe they have already done their nursing time

The concept of Karma does lend itself to the old heaven and hell, reward and punishment teachings of all the religions, to keep people in line. As such, approach it with caution. Why accept any other teachings that don't make sense to you after so many Christian teachings didn't make sense to you?

The ultimate teaching of Buddhism is kindness, compassion, love, forgiveness, generosity etc., as are the teachings of Jesus or Mohammed. You already sound kind and gentle to me - welcome to Buddhism. Many in this forum think that Jesus must have had Buddhist teachers during his "lost years". All the great ones teach the same thing - kindness. Whatever beliefs work for us to be more kind, are helpful, but not necessarily "truth".