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Nature of Karma

JoshuaJoshua Veteran
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Are good deeds good karma?

Is destroying my ego good karma?

Does destroying the ego result in better karma than performing good deeds?

Comments

  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited October 2010
    valois wrote: »
    Are good deeds good karma?

    Is destroying my ego good karma?

    Does destroying the ego result in better karma than performing good deeds?

    Karma is the sum total off all your actions, thoughts, and feelings. As such, performing a good deed is setting a positive imprint (good karma).

    In Buddhism, your are NOT supposed to destroy your ego. The ego cannot be destroyed. What is destroyed is the "hook" that your ego has on you. The understanding of this process cannot be forced, nor is it acquired specifically through cognitive/intellectual functions -- it can only be cultivated through meditation and through bringing meditation into your off-the-cushion living, and the process takes years. So relax, and enjoy the process!
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Hm, when I say ego I suppose I mean more in the sense of somebody being egotistical or impulsive (regardless of how subtle) rather than the literal ego of psychology. Is this wrong also? Or the same idea you're describing?
  • ChrysalidChrysalid Veteran
    edited October 2010
    valois wrote: »
    Are good deeds good karma?

    Is destroying my ego good karma?

    Does destroying the ego result in better karma than performing good deeds?
    Don't aim to do good deeds to acquire good karma. Forget about karma. Follow the 8-fold path and compassionate action will come naturally.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    When you lose the ego good deeds will naturally follow.
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited October 2010
    For me, the Buddhist teachings is about letting go and not about acquiring anything, even good karma. When we let go of the negatives, like selfishness, the positives come automatically. For example, look at the five precepts... its about letting go; that is abstaining from: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicating substances. Even in meditation, we note sensations and thoughts and let them go... So, like the posters before me have said, don't put too mush emphasis on gathering good karma. This is, of course, just my view.
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    edited October 2010
    sukhita wrote: »
    For me, the Buddhist teachings is about letting go and not about acquiring anything, even good karma. When we let go of the negatives, like selfishness, the positives come automatically. For example, look at the five precepts... its about letting go; that is abstaining from: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicating substances. Even in meditation, we note sensations and thoughts and let them go... So, like the posters before me have said, don't put too mush emphasis on gathering good karma. This is, of course, just my view.

    *sigh* This is all so ideal for an average person because, as Thanissaro said, I've mountains of karmic debt. Eliminating the three marks of existence in a single lifetime often seems so unlikely. Buddhism is the supreme discipline.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited October 2010
    I lost my ego once, but it found me again :(
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