What is Kamma

What is Kamma? : 

What is Kamma?

Kamma : 

Kamma Kamma is also called Karma in Sanskrit The Pali word Kamma literally means action. Action in word, speech, and thought. But according to Abhidhamma, Kamma is mental volition (intention), whether moral or immoral. The Buddha once said: “Mental volition, O Bhikkhus, is what I call kamma, for having willed, one performs an action through body, speech or mind.” (Anguttara Nikaya III.415) All volitional action, except that of a Buddha or an Arahant, is considered kamma.

According to Abidhamma : 

According to Abidhamma Mental Volition is also called Cetana in pali. To explain in English, Volition is “will” or “the prompt to do something” Whatever action we do, there arises in our minds a type of consciousness, either good or bad, and that type of consciousness is accompanied by volition and that cetana is what we call kamma.

Simple terms: Cause and Effect : 

Simple terms: Cause and Effect In lay terms Kamma can be said as the law of cause and effect. For example: A boy throws a ball and it breaks a window Throwing the ball is the cause, while the window break is the effect or result. The boy has generated a physical kamma. But the kamma does not end there. The breaking of the window in turn becomes a cause which results in the effect of the owner becoming angry that he will have to pay for the damages. And so on.

Kamma Cont’d : 

Kamma Cont’d Kamma is a cosmic law. It does not punish nor does it reward. Like gravity, it follows its nature. If the cause of one’s deeds are unwholesome, then the effect will be unwholesome. Like wise, if one’s deeds are wholesome, then the effect will be wholesome. Our past deeds, to some extent, is the reason why we are the way we are today. And today’s actions will determine what the future will be like for ourselves. We truly have fully control of our lives and well-being. We determine how we are living, and how we will live.

5 Cosmic Laws/Orders/Processes (Niyama) : 

5 Cosmic Laws/Orders/Processes (Niyama) Utu Niyama - physical inorganic order, e.g. seasons, weather, climate change, causes of winds and rains, nature of heat, etc. Bija Niyama - order of germs and seeds (physical organic order), e.g. rice growing from rice-seed, sugary taste from sugar-cane, the traits of certain fruits, etc. The scientific theory of cells and genes. Karma Niyama - order of act and result, e.g., desirable and undesirable acts produce corresponding good and bad results. Karma with the right time and place will give unstoppable results, not in the form of a reward or punishment but as a regular flow. Dhamma Niyama - order of the norm, e.g., gravity, or the reason why some are good hearted, while others are not. Citta Niyama - order or mind or psychic law, e.g. arising and perishing of consciousness, power of mind, etc., including telepathy, retro-cognition, premonition, clairvoyance, etc.

Classification by time of results : 

Classification by time of results Kamma that ripens in the same lifetime (immediate) Kamma that ripens in the next life (subsequent) Kamma that ripens in successive births (uncertain) Kamma that is ineffective (Ahosi-kamma)

Classification by function : 

Classification by function Regenerative/Reproductive (Janaka) kamma - conditions future births Supportive (Uppatham-bhaka) kamma – assists or maintains results of already-existing kamma Counteractive (Upapidaka) kamma – suppress or modifies the results of reproductive kamma Destructive (Upaghataka) kamma – destroys the results of existing kamma and substitutes its own resultants.

Classification by priority of results : 

Classification by priority of results Serious or weighty (Garuka) kamma produces resultants in the current life or in the next Death proximate (Asanna) kamma – if there is not weighty kamma, this determines the condition of your next birth Habitual (Acinna) Kamma – kamma you constantly do, results come if there is no death proximate kamma. Reserved (Katatta) Kamma – last in priority, unused kamma or kamma that has not taken result yet and will determine the next birth if there is no habitual kamma.

Classification by place : 

Classification by place Immoral Kamma which ripens in the plane of misery. Moral Kamma which ripens in the plane of the world of the desires. Moral Kamma which ripens in the plane of form. Moral Kamma which ripens in the plane of formless.

Lessons of Kamma : 

Lessons of Kamma Patience Confidence Self-reliance Restraint Power

Lasts Words : 

Lasts Words Because much of our happiness and sadness is due to our past kamma, we must not be broken down. We must stand firm and realize that we are repaying for the deeds we have done. We should not cry or be sad because of it. We should look forward for our future so that we can do meritorious deeds and create a happier future.