A good discussion of the meaning of Karma?

vinlyn

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

One of the better (though very long) discussions about Karma that I have read.

Any thoughts about this text?

Now-Is-reality

Until I have time to read all of that, could you maybe paraphrase, or choose certain parts which are the most important and post it here? Thanks
Kindly,
Ash

hermitwin

Karma is if you do things with good intention you get good results.

federica

Too simplistic. Read the article.

vinlyn

Until I have time to read all of that, could you maybe paraphrase, or choose certain parts which are the most important and post it here? Thanks
Kindly,
Ash

I thought of doing that, but I preferred to see if there were aspects of the article where people took exception and use that as a means for further discussion.

Jason

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

One of the better (though very long) discussions about Karma that I have read.

Any thoughts about this text?

I used to think this was a fairly good summary, but I've since come to the conclusion that much of it is based on later commentarial literature and tradition rather than the suttas, and, by uncritically accepting tradition, takes things literally that perhaps should be taken metaphorically. For example, he says:

According to the Lakkhana Sutta of Digha Nikaya, the Buddha inherited exceptional features, such as the 32 major marks, as the result of his past meritorious deeds. The ethical reason for acquiring each physical feature is clearly explained in the Sutta.

Concerning the 32 marks, I've always found MN 140 interesting in that the wanderer Pukkusati doesn't immediately recognize the Buddha when he sees him, but only realizes who he is after hearing him teach a profound discourse on four determinations and the six properties of experience. That's rather hard to imagine if the Buddha literally possessed all 32 marks.

To me, it's obvious that these marks were either metaphorical (i.e., representative of various characters and qualities) or the result of psychic powers (i.e., visions that were given certain brahmins and wanderers who accepted the ancient Indian tradition regarding the '32 marks of a great man' in order to teach them the Dhamma). And out of the two, I think the former is the more likely scenario.

Personally, when it comes to discussions and study guides on the teachings about kamma, I much prefer something like this and this. I find them to be more balanced and practical.

federica

I have to say, I do research on topics, and find different sources on the internet, but I'm always drawn back to AccesstoInsight for its clarity, simplicity and ease of reading.
it just sits so well with me, personally.

Yacababy

I actually just downloaded Accesstoinsight and second it as a resource. It's very cleanly organized and easy to read.

Paradox

I actually started reading this article on kamma last week in an old philosophy reader from my uni days.

I found it patronising and simplistic. Assertions such as:

"Either this inequality of mankind has a cause, or it is purely accidental. No sensible person would think of attributing this unevenness, this inequality, and this diversity to blind chance or pure accident."

and:

"In this world nothing happens to a person that he does not for some reason or other deserve. Usually, men of ordinary intellect cannot comprehend the actual reason or reasons."

put me off, so I never finished reading it. (I assume I read the whole thing in my uni days, but that was over 10 years ago.)

I'm sure there are better articles out there.