Indian Society for Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Prachya Vidyapeeth
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapeeth

Page 55

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or bad destinations are all due to the result of kamma. He knows beings arising according to their own kamma action through his own wisdom.
Kamma literally means an action or performance but from Buddhist doctrine, it has more than the action. Perhaps, it should not be understood whatever kind of actions when the action done without voluntarily. Thus, the Buddha's kamma doctrine is unique due to intentional performance of action it constitutes as kamma. It is only when the action is performed deliberately, constitutes either wholesome or unwholesome action.
The text Vimanavatthu, comprises of the stories of the Divine Places' is a catechetical treaty which explains the splendor of the various celestial abodes belonging to the Devas who became their fortunate owners in accordance with the degree of merit they had each performed. The textdistinctly conveys the Saddha (belief) and good deeds of one's who even sacrifices their life to do the deeds, he or she firmly belief to be meritorious act. There are many Vatthus which clearly shows that good intention and deeds can have limitless beneficial effects of kamma and they are fertile ground in which the seeds of good merit grow into trees of happiness. I find, the whole story ultimately leads us to the doctrine of Kammavāda which also say, only the good actions lead us to the shore of good resulting. But the stories are doubtless intended for laymen, to induce them to live a good life by promising rebirth as a Deva or Devi as a reward. The text is probably a late addition to the Canon and represent a period when the Doctrine of Kamma had come to be represented as a simple deed and reward mechanism.
In this paper, I will aim to blazon the doctrine of Kammavāda on the frame of reference reflected in the pāli text viz. Vimanavatthu and its commentarial interpretation of kamma and its function with the citation of competent Theravada Buddhist authors. This paper hope to bring a new aspect studying the Kamma Theory, for the better understanding of individual's action and others reaction due to one Kamma.
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