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CHAPTER VII
BUDDHIST CONCEPT OF KARMAN
Like the ancient Hindu culture--pre-Vedic, Vedic and postVedic-the Buddhist thought world also was deeply coloured by its robust belief in the law of Karma and its working. In the Majjhima Nikāyai, there is a distinct reference to threefold Karma of body, mind and speech ( Kāyakāmya, Manokāmya and Vácyakámya ).2
What is Karma ? Usually it is a mental, vocal or physical act. Really manas thinks alone and its thought is revealed in cintā, vākya and daihika kārya ( thought, speech and bodily action ) but the Buddha says—that cetanā or cetasika is common to all citta.3
MUNDANE WORLD AND ITS EXTENT It has been said that the entire system of created universe with its infinite varieties, is the result of Karmic forces. The result of Buddhist speculation in regard to the world and its inhabitants may be briefly summed up as follows. It is said that Karma originates and its fruits too are experienced here. 1. Majjhima Nikaya III 21 2. Vide also Buddhism by G. C. Pande P. 428, Foot note 139 3. Faire fiena fatti asilo ( Pali). Abhidharma kośa says.4. 1.,
कर्मजं लोकवैचित्र्यं चेतना तत्कृतं च तत् ।
चेतना मानसं कर्म तज्जे वाक्कायकर्मणी ॥ . Compare also Madhyamika Avatāra 6.89
सत्त्वलोकम् अथ भाजनलोकम् । चित्तमेव रचयति अतिचित्रम् ॥ कर्मजं जपयुक्तम् अशेषम् । ... Forfatthaup
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