Karma in Buddhist Philosophy

Karma in Buddhist Philosophy

​

Karma in Buddhist Philosophy means whatever one does, say or thinks. Karma implies 'action' or 'doing'. In Buddhism, the term karma is used specifically for those actions which spring from mental intent and mental obsessions, which bring about a fruit (Pali, phala) or result (vipaka), either in the present life, or in the setting of a future rebirth. Karma is the engine which drives the wheel of the cycle of uncontrolled rebirth (samsara) for each being. According to Buddhist Philosophy, through divine service or karma one can also reach the highest. Karma is act or deed, even that by which the impersonal becomes personal. Karma is said to be beginning-less, and the exact manner by which the work of the world proceeds is hard to understand. Since the world process is dependent upon the Lord, He is also known as the lord of karma. Every person is committed to some action or the other. It is necessary that the conduct of human beings promotes the interests of righteousness, which at the same time results in spiritual rest and satisfaction. Karma Marga is the path of conduct by which the individual thirsting for service can reach the goal.

In the (Anguttara Nikaya Nibbedhika Sutta) Lord Buddha said, "Intention (chetana), monks, is karma, I say. Having will one acts through body, speech and mind."

Every time a person acts, there is some character of intent at the bottom of the mind and it is that quality rather than the outward appearance of the action that determines the effect. If a person professes pious ness and virtue but still acts with greed, anger or hatred (veiled behind an outward display of well-meaning intent) then the fruit of those actions will bear proof to the underlying intention that lay behind them and will be a cause for future unhappiness. Buddha spoke of wholesome actions (kusala-kamma) that result in happiness and unwholesome actions (akusala-kamma) that result in unhappiness. Right conduct is whatever expresses the real unity with God, man, and nature; wrong conduct is whatever does not bring out this essential structure of reality. The unity of the universe is the basic principle. Good is whatever advances towards completeness, and evil is whatever is inconsistent with it. Buddhism made morality central to the good life, but it did not sufficiently emphasise the relation of moral life to spiritual perfection or the purpose of the universe.

Karma is thus used as an ethical principle and a cosmological explanation for the world. Buddhists are of the faith that the actions of beings decide their own future, and due to this there are no private actions - every action has a consequence. The accent of karma in Buddhismis on attentive action, not on faulting someone else for whatever happens to oneself. There is a further distinction between worldly, wholesome karma that leads to samsaric happiness (like birth in higher realms), and path-consciousness which leads to enlightenment and (nirvana). Thus, there is samsaric good karma, which leads to temporal happiness, and then there is liberating karma - which is superlatively good, as it terminates suffering forever. Once one has achieved liberation one does not yield any further karma, and the corresponding states of mind are called in Pali as Kiriya. In Buddhism, the term karma is often used to refer only to samsaric karma, as indicated by the twelve nidanas of dependent origination.

Due to the inevitability of consequence, Karma entails the belief of Buddhist rebirth. However, karma is not the only basis of rebirth. The rebirths of eighth stage (and above) Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana Buddhism tradition refers to those liberated beings who consciously prefer to be reborn in a future life in order to help others still entrapped in samsara. However, this is not uncontrolled rebirth anymore. Buddha explains what it means to have conviction in karma: First, karma happens in reality and it is not a mere illusion. Second, one really is responsible for one's actions. There is no external force like the stars or some good or evil being acting through oneself. When one is conscious, he or she is the one who decides what happens. Third, one's actions are bound to bring results - one is not just writing on water and those results can be good or bad, depending on the quality of the purpose behind the act.
:- https://www.indianetzone.com/29/karma_buddhism.htm

 

Pali Canon, Buddhist philosophy Believed to be in existence for two millenia, Pali Canon is a collection of scriptures in the said language.

​

The Pali Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pali language. The Canon was written down, transcribed from oral tradition, during the Fourth Buddhist Council (in the usual Theravada numbering), 1st century BCE, in Sri Lanka on ola (palm) leaves. Handed down in writing and to other Theravadin countries, this originally predominately North Indian Canon is the most complete surviving early Buddhist canon and one of the first to be written down.

The Canon was not printed until the 19th century, and is now also available in electronic variant.

The Pali Canon falls into three general categories, called pitaka (pitaka, basket) in Pali. Due to this, the canon is traditionally known as the Tipitaka (Tipitaka; three baskets).

The three pitakas are as follows:
Vinaya Pitaka, dealing with rules for monks and nuns
Sutra Pitaka, discourses, mostly ascribed to the Buddha, but some to disciples
Abhidhamma Pitaka, variously described as philosophy, psychology, metaphysics etc.

The Canon is traditionally described by the Theravada as the Word of the Buddha (Buddhavacana), though this is evidently not signified in a literal sense, as it includes teachings by disciples.

The traditional Theravadin (Mahaviharin) rendering of the Pali Canon is established in a series of commentaries covering almost the whole Canon, amassed by Buddhaghosa (4th or 5th century CE) and later monks, primarily on the basis of earlier materials now lost.

Subcommentaries (these are commentaries on the commentaries in Pali Canon) have been penned subsequently, remarking further on the Canon and its commentaries. The traditional Theravadin rendering is summed up in Buddhaghosa's Visuddhimagga.

According to the official view, the Canon comprises everything needed to show the path to nirvana; the commentaries and subcommentaries sometimes include much speculative matter, but are loyal to its teachings and often furnish very informative illustrations.

Although the Canon has existed in written form for two millennia, its earlier oral nature has not been disregarded in actual Buddhist practice within the tradition - memorisation and recitation continue to be common. Among the frequently recited texts are the Paritta (literally meaning 'protection', this refers to the Buddhist practice of reciting certain verses and scriptures in order to forfend evil chances or dangerous conditions). Even common men generally know at least a few short texts by heart and recite them regularly; this is looked at as a form of meditation, at least if one realises the meaning. Monks are of course expected to know quite a bit more. Recitation of the Canon is always done in Pali, due to it being the ritual language.

The relation of the Pali Canon to Buddhism as it actually exists among ordinary monks and lay people is, as with other major religious traditions, elusive. Evidence hints that only parts of the Canon ever enjoyed wide prevalence, and that non-canonical works were sometimes very much used more widely; the details varied from place to place.

It is traditionally believed by Theravadins that most of the Pali Canon originated from the Buddha and his direct disciples. According to the scriptures, a council was held soon after Buddha's demise to collect and conserve his teachings. It was recited orally from the 5th century B.C. to the 1st century B.C., when it was penned down. The belief holds that only a few subsequent additions were made.

(Last Updated on : 20/06/2015)
:- https://www.indianetzone.com/29/pali_canon_buddhist_philosophy.htm

 

Great Buddha Quotes on Love | Love Quotes | Buddha Quotes | English

Psych Wisdom
Mar 22, 2020
Best 100 Buddha Quotes In 2020

Get Facts
Apr 3, 2020

 

Buddha Quotes On Life ☆ Awesome Buddha Quotes On Life | Best Buddha Quotes Whatsapp Status Buddha 2

Get Facts
Mar 28, 2020
Buddha quotes that will make you wiser

Pure Devine Energy
Feb 29, 2020

 

23 Buddha Quotes On Love Failure - Awesome Buddha Quotes On Love And Marriage/Buddha Quotes On Love

Pomiset
Mar 6, 2020
7 Difficult But Simple Buddhist Habits That Will Change Your Life

fridaykiss
Jun 30, 2017
Spiritual Buddha Quotes on Inner Peace. Learn English Through Buddha Quotes.BUDDHA.

Wisdom Inquiry
Aug 25, 2019

 

Knowledge vs Wisdom Buddha Quotes || Pure Devine Energy | By - K. Umakrishnaaveni

Pure Devine Energy
Jul 31, 2020

 

Buddha’s 10 Rules Of Success

fridaykiss
Jun 3, 2019
BUDDHA'S LAST MESSAGE - Be Your Own Saviour

Dare to do. Motivation
Jun 30, 2020
100+ Most Famous Buddha Quotes On Life

Home Of Greatness
Jun 11, 2020

 

Famous Quotes About Power Of Silence By Lord Gautama Buddha

Home Of Greatness
May 29, 2020
Buddha Positive Thoughts || Pure Devine Energy

Pure Devine Energy
Jun 30, 2020

 

50 plus Budha quotes for life slower version

explore a0 travelmagazine
Mar 16, 2019
15 Inspirational and Motivational Quotes of All time

Strength quotes in buddhism

Pure Devine Energy
May 24, 2020
Self love Life Lessons That Will Change Your Life

Home Of Greatness
May 26, 2020

 

Positivity Life Quotes To Help You Stay Positive In A Negative Situation

Patience Quotes To Strengthen Your Heart

Home Of Greatness
Jul 1, 2020

 

THE FIVE PRECEPTS - Buddhism Beliefs, Buddha Teachings

Path To Peace - Buddhist Beliefs
Mar 10, 2015
The Buddha teaching of the Five Precepts are undertaken by all that choose to walk the path to peace. The Buddha taught an ethical and moral dharma that leads to internal and external peace, satisfaction and life contentedness.

 

Self Happiness Quotes that will Change your Life

Peaceful Meditation Lessons To Clean Your Mind

Enlightenment Quotes that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE | Buddha Quotes

Home Of Greatness
Sep 21, 2020