Sambodhi 2006 Vol 30

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 70

64
RAMANATH PANDEY
SAMBODHI
two physical characteristics or personal beauties possessed by the Buddha, as that his hands and feet were soft and delicate, his fingers tapering, there is a cakka mark on the soles of his feet, he is able to touch his knees with his hands without stooping etc. is due to good deeds.12
An individual may make his life prosperous by performing his good deeds. The Buddha whatever proclaimed about these deeds they and all other virtuous conduct of devouts and monks are included in highest point of good actions. The concept of the Bodhisattva is also based on virtuous deeds according to which completion of ten perfection such as virtue, charity-dana, uppekkhā etc. in the position of the Bodhisattva become the Buddha. The Buddha called himself an activist and in-activist on the basis of good virtuous acts. An activist, due to performing good deeds of action, and inactivist by not performing evil deeds of action. The Buddha propounded the theroy of Kamma and called it Pratītyasamutpäda - Law of causation'- Bhavacakka - a well known formula, which sums up the principal causes of existence - twelve - remedy - dvādasanidāna, in their order of succession. This forms a chain of causal sequence the first linking error and the last is suffering. Besides the chain of causation there is also a circle of causation. It is a causal origination. The Buddha called it Bhavacakko, and regarded as synonyms of Kammacakko, and called himself an atheist - anīśvaravādin. He accepted Kamma as a cause of poverty and wealthy life of an individual. The existence in form of king or in form of a lay man - happiness or miserable life, depend upon good deeds.13 In the context of Vinaya - rule of discipline, an application or prohibition - vidhi-nisedha, of good and evil actions, are based on doctrine of Kamma. To follow the code and conduct depicted and mentioned in Vinayapitaka is called starting point, entrance point and chieftain in all of them.14
The Rebirth is assumed because of Kamma. The Buddha has uttered at the
time of attainment of Enlightenment - Sambodhi, that the Kamma is the builder of this bodily house. It binds us to the wheel of existence which originates all kinds of suffering. Therefore, the most painful is birth again and again. The mind of an individual by performing virtuous deeds of action attentively, through right understanding of the real nature of Kamma, being free from all kinds of attachment, may become free from all aggregates, and desires may banish, and may free himself from all suffering. In this way an individual gets rid off from