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Bhagavati Sutra
Q. Bhante! How does a living being acquire karma ?
A. Gautama! It is karma that generates bondage, which means that a living being who has acquired karma is in bondage. Karma is with the soul from an infinite past, and hence the soul is the acquirer of karma from an infinite past period. Of course, not the same karma remains affixed for all times, but as fresh karma is acquired in a non-ending series to take the place of karma which wears out through suffering, the soul is in perpetual bondage. A karma flows in, as a karma flows out, then follows the next, and still next, and so on, like the incessant flow of a stream.
What is the process of acquisition of karma ? The soul first acquires karma enshrouding knowledge. Then vision gets enshrouded and the living being becomes a victim of delusion. Then the remaining types flow in. This karma inflow into the soul is eternal. The rest of the discussion in the Pannavaņā Sūtra is as follows :
Q. Bhante! In how many ways does the living being acquire karma enshrouding knowledge ?
A. Gautama! He acquires karma enshrouding knowledge in two ways, viz., through attachment and through spite.
Q. Bhante ! How many of the living beings suffer from karma ?
A. Gautama ! While some suffer, others do not suffer.
Q. Bhante ! Does a living being suffer from karma enshrouding knowledge ?
A. Gautama ! While some suffer, others do not suffer. The ominscient has exhausted karma enshrouding knowledge ; hence he does not suffer.
