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KARMA
95
The inflow of right-belief-deluding karmic matter is caused by defaming omniscient persons, the scriptures, the brotherhood of saints, religion and celestial beings.
The inflow of karmic matter which wrongly influences our right conduct is caused by the intense thought activity aroused by the passions.
The inflow of hellish karma, i.e. that which causes (temporary but perhaps very long-lasting) unpleasant states of consciousness and visions after death, is caused by too much worldly activity and by attachment to too many worldly objects or attachments in general, leading to severe anger and enmity.
The inflow of karmas which bring about subhuman births, i.e. cause the soul to incarnate one or more times as an animal or lower being, is caused by deceit.
The inflow of karmas which bring about rebirth as a human is caused by slight worldly activity, and by attachment to a minimum of worldly objects or only slight attachment in general. A natural humble disposition along with kindness, mercy, compassion and care for all are also causes of birth as a human. I think this applies to most of us.
The inflow of karmas that result in the soul being born as a celestial being is caused by self-control with the least attachment - which is supposed to be found in monks only, by restraint by vows of some but not all passions, found in laymen only, by equanimous acceptance of the fruition of karma, whether pleasant or otherwise, or by austerities not based upon right knowledge. Right belief is also the cause of celestial age karma (only of the heavenly order). Facing death with equanimity while undergoing austerities - known as sallekhana - also creates the merit of celestial birth. Remember that celestial existence, like hellish existence, is only temporary, long lasting though it may be. It is still a state caused by illusion and subtle attachments. All beings that are not yet fully liberated take part in the great cycle of rebirth. As beings in hell or heaven we have bodies, but not physical
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