Sambodhi 2006 Vol 30

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

Page 71

Vol. XXX, 2006
THE CONCEPT OF KAMMA IN BUDDHISM :
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craving and may become free from all kinds of suffering. 15 The Buddha, after his Parinibbāna by not electing any particular person as a leader of Baudha-samgha, and left behind on Dhammadāyāda (receiver of a portion of deeds), which shows deep faith in the form of Dhamma. 16 According to him he is only guide of the pathway, not the bestower of liberation. The various kinds of activities revolve by the deeds and even ripeness is also possible by deeds itself, Kamma causes rebirthin this way the whole universe revolves. 17
Thus, it is celarly evident that in the doctrine of Kamma, the appearance of the variegated form of the universe is the result of the Kamma, not the God or any other supernatural power. In the lack of Kamma, these variegated form of vividness and various kinds of activities are not possible. Otherwise, what is the reason or what is the cause that even in the existence of human being the form of each individual is inferior and superior. Someone seems long lived, short lived, suffering with severe disease, mild disease, ugly, beautiful, capable, incapable, poor, rich, fool, wise and intelligent. An individual whose mental state of mind is covered with the sinful acts such as murder, desire, anger, dislike, delusion and ego etc., he after the death leaving his body here takes birth in unhappy realms of existence - durgati, and on contrary to these by performing virtuous deeds like non desire, non dislike, non delusion and non proudness etc. in pleasure condition of existence - sugati.18 The Buddha used to know the future form of existence of an individual on the basis of his deeds. After knowing the real nature of Kamma, the Buddha said, O Cunda! you will be free from this travel after the detachment from anger, desire, dislike and delusion etc. An individual becomes Brāhmin on the basis of his deeds but not by birth. If he is even outcast by birth he may attain Nirvāṇa if he is mindful.19 According to him only good deeds may redempt not teaching. The Buddhist theory of Kamma is more practical, as here, more stress has been given to the deeds of action of an individual rather than prayer, worship etc., and only good deeds may cause of self redemption not the prayer.20 Indeed, this whole universe is controlled by the voluntary choices of human beings not by any supernatural power like Gods and Angels. The history of man is the total sequence of human lives, their decisions and experiences. The situation which each of us finds in the world when he enters it is due to the innumerable actions of men and women in the past; and we by our will and action measures, can determine what the next moment in history is going to be. "Thus, a heaven without a God, immortality without a soul, the purification