Friday, December 25, 2009
What basically is kamma?
Kamma literally means "intentional action" ,and this refers to the Buddhist belief in the principle of Cause and Effect. We believe that every intentional act will give rise to a corresponding result, in either the present life or in a future one.
The result of kamma should thus not be seen as rewards or punishments for acts done, but simply the results or outcome of any such intentional acts. Positive actions will eventually result in positive consequences, and negative actions will eventually result in negative consequences.
Using an ordinary common-sense example of Cause and Effect take a person who smokes,drinks and eats excessively without doing any regular exercise. As a result of his actions, this person will have a high likelihood of having a stroke or heart disease and ultimately go through much suffering. On the other hand, a person who watches his diet and takes good care of his body will usually be able to have a healthy life, even in old age.
Therefore, a person who has done much good and thus accumulated much positive kamma will likely enjoy a happy life and gravitate towards a Human,or even a Heavenly realm of existence in the next rebirth. Conversely, someone who has done much bad deeds and accumulated much negative kamma may have a life plagued with difficulties, and then also reborn in a Lower realm of existence.
Kamma can also be viewed as seeds. You have the choice of the seeds you widh to grow. Therefore sow as many good seeds as you possibly can!
The result of kamma should thus not be seen as rewards or punishments for acts done, but simply the results or outcome of any such intentional acts. Positive actions will eventually result in positive consequences, and negative actions will eventually result in negative consequences.
Using an ordinary common-sense example of Cause and Effect take a person who smokes,drinks and eats excessively without doing any regular exercise. As a result of his actions, this person will have a high likelihood of having a stroke or heart disease and ultimately go through much suffering. On the other hand, a person who watches his diet and takes good care of his body will usually be able to have a healthy life, even in old age.
Therefore, a person who has done much good and thus accumulated much positive kamma will likely enjoy a happy life and gravitate towards a Human,or even a Heavenly realm of existence in the next rebirth. Conversely, someone who has done much bad deeds and accumulated much negative kamma may have a life plagued with difficulties, and then also reborn in a Lower realm of existence.
Kamma can also be viewed as seeds. You have the choice of the seeds you widh to grow. Therefore sow as many good seeds as you possibly can!
What is Bhavana?
Bhavana means the practice of " Mind Cultivation" or simply meditation .Meditation can be said to purify the mind by making it easier to develop Generosity and Compassion,and then to finally acquire Wisdom.
Buddhist meditation is usually classified into two types- Vipassana or insight meditation, and Samatha or Concentration meditation. There are many forms of Samatha meditation ,and Metta or Loving-Kindness meditation is one of its more widely practiced forms. All these tyoes of meditation have their benefits.
However, it is usually recognized that it is through the practice of Vipassana or insight meditation that we can come to fully know ourselves. And that through this we will be able to better realize and understand the Buddha's Teachings and to see things as they turely are.
Meditation can be said to be the highest form of Buddhist practise as the Buddhist himself attained Enlightenment through meditation.
You do not need long meditation sessions to begin with. Even a short 10 to 20 minutes every day or every other day will do wonders.
Buddhist meditation is usually classified into two types- Vipassana or insight meditation, and Samatha or Concentration meditation. There are many forms of Samatha meditation ,and Metta or Loving-Kindness meditation is one of its more widely practiced forms. All these tyoes of meditation have their benefits.
However, it is usually recognized that it is through the practice of Vipassana or insight meditation that we can come to fully know ourselves. And that through this we will be able to better realize and understand the Buddha's Teachings and to see things as they turely are.
Meditation can be said to be the highest form of Buddhist practise as the Buddhist himself attained Enlightenment through meditation.
You do not need long meditation sessions to begin with. Even a short 10 to 20 minutes every day or every other day will do wonders.
What is Sila?
This means "Morality' and the Buddha advised us to observe the Five Precepts in the cultivation of Sila:
1. Abstain from killing any living beings.
2. Abstain from taking what is not given.
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from lying and flase speech
5. Abstain from the abusive consumption of intoxicants and drugs.
These Percepts are not commandment but are rules that Buddhists take upon thenselves to observe. They are observed not because of fear of punishment but because we realize that such actions harm others as well as ourselves.
For example,as we ourselves do not wish to be killed or harmed, we realize that all other beings also do not wish to be killed or harmed. Likewise as we do not wish to be victims of theft, adultery, lies and slander, we ourselves should avoid doing such acts to others.
The Buddha also strongly advocated avoiding intoxicants and drugs. This is because once you have come under the influence odf alcohol or illicit drugs, you are capable of committing any acts that you would not have done otherwise.
Should you break the Percepts, the Buddhist way is to be fully aware that you have done so, try your best to make amends, and then resolve to try harder from then on.
Morality is the foundation which everything else rests upon. It thus night be good to memorize the Five Percepts so that you can be mindful of them at all times.
And once the observing of the Five Percepts becomes an instinctive part of your behaviour, developing its positive aspects will come easily and naturally:
1. The practice of Harmlessness and Compassion
2. The practice of Kindness and Generosity
3. The practise of Faithfulness and Responsibility
4. The practise of Truthfulnessand Pleasant Speech
5. The practise of Self-control and Mindfulness.
1. Abstain from killing any living beings.
2. Abstain from taking what is not given.
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from lying and flase speech
5. Abstain from the abusive consumption of intoxicants and drugs.
These Percepts are not commandment but are rules that Buddhists take upon thenselves to observe. They are observed not because of fear of punishment but because we realize that such actions harm others as well as ourselves.
For example,as we ourselves do not wish to be killed or harmed, we realize that all other beings also do not wish to be killed or harmed. Likewise as we do not wish to be victims of theft, adultery, lies and slander, we ourselves should avoid doing such acts to others.
The Buddha also strongly advocated avoiding intoxicants and drugs. This is because once you have come under the influence odf alcohol or illicit drugs, you are capable of committing any acts that you would not have done otherwise.
Should you break the Percepts, the Buddhist way is to be fully aware that you have done so, try your best to make amends, and then resolve to try harder from then on.
Morality is the foundation which everything else rests upon. It thus night be good to memorize the Five Percepts so that you can be mindful of them at all times.
And once the observing of the Five Percepts becomes an instinctive part of your behaviour, developing its positive aspects will come easily and naturally:
1. The practice of Harmlessness and Compassion
2. The practice of Kindness and Generosity
3. The practise of Faithfulness and Responsibility
4. The practise of Truthfulnessand Pleasant Speech
5. The practise of Self-control and Mindfulness.
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