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Buddha's Teachings
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Karma and Rebirth
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Why are some people born in poverty and suffering ? Why are others born in more fortunate circumstances ? Is it due to fate or chance ? Is there an invisible power controlling our lives ? When we are happy and contented, we tend to take life for granted. We assume life will always be good. But when we encounter difficulties and troubles, we not only look for solutions, but may begin to question as to why such troubles should come to us...
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The Buddha taught that our present condition, whether of happiness or suffering, is the result of the accumulated force of all our past actions or karma. Karma is intentional or volitional action. It is an action done deliberately through our body, speech or mind. Every intentional action, produces a certain effect.
Actions are considered wholesome if they produce happiness for ourselves and others. Actions are considered unwholesome if they produce suffering. This is the law of cause and effect at work. The effects of our past karma, (our past intentional actions), have already determined the nature of our present existence.
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By intentional action (karma), we become a good student.
By intentional action, we become good at sport.
By intentional action, do our friends trust us.
By intentional action, does our family rely on us.
By intentional action, do we become a thief.
By intentional action, do we become a leader.
The three causes of evil karma are attachment, anger, and delusion. The three causes of good karma are non-attachment, non-anger, and non-delusion.
The karmic response for greeting someone warmly with a smile and gentle words, will be far better, than if we greet them with a scowl and harsh language. Similarly, showing good manners to others, and consideration of their situation, most often results in reciprocal courtesy.
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Ten unwholesome actions
There are ten unwholesome actions we should avoid if we wish to be happy. They are avoiding (1) killing, (2) stealing, (3) sexual misconduct, (4) telling lies, (5) tale-bearing, (6) harsh speech, (7) idle talk, (8) greed, (9) anger, and (10) wrong views.
Ten wholesome actions
The ten wholesome actions we should strive to perform are; (1) helping others, (2) self-restraint, (3) meditation, (4) reverence, (5) service, (6) transference of merits, (7) rejoicing in the merits of others, (8) hearing the Dharma, (9) teaching the Dharma, and (10) straightening
our views.
The effect of an action done in this life can be experienced within this lifetime. This is called short-term karma. In some cases, actions do not produce their effects in this lifetime. The effects are felt in future lives. Similarly, actions done in past lives may produce effects in this life. These are the effects of long-term karma.
We have the free will to act wisely or foolishly. If we act wisely by performing wholesome actions, we will experience happiness in this life, as well as in future lives. If we act foolishly, by performing unwholesome actions, our unwholesome karma will result in suffering in this life, and in future lives.
The law of karma does not apply to actions such as walking, sitting or sleeping. Such actions do not produce effects apart from the actions themselves. Similarly, accidentally killing an insect is considered a neutral action because it is unintentional.
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The only thing we own in this life, and take to the next, is our karma. Like a seed waiting for rain, our karma shadows us, waiting for the opportunity to grow and ripen. Our intentional actions will produce a result at some time. People in their present lives, are experiencing the effects of their past actions or karma.
However it is possible to alter or reduce the effects of these past actions through present actions. These will also have effect on future lives. Understanding the law of Karma helps us realise that we are, whatever we make ourselves to be. We are entirely responsible for our own destiny.
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Buddhists believe rebirth takes place at the end of each life.
The Buddha was able to recall his past lives on the night of his
Enlightenment. He also saw beings dying in one state of existence,
and being reborn in another, according to their actions. It was from
personal experience, that the Buddha taught the truth of rebirth.
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The Buddha taught that birth, death and rebirth are part of the continuing process of change. At the moment of death, when this life is over, and the body can no longer survive, the mind is separated from the body. At that time, our craving and attachment for life, causes us to seek a new existence.
The karma (intentional actions) we have done previously, determines the place of our rebirth. If we want to know how we behaved in our previous existences, we need only consider our current situation.
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There are six realms in which we may be reborn after death. They are the realms of the gods, the demigods, human beings, animals, hungry ghosts and the hells. These are just general categories and within each, there exist many subcategories. Note that the Buddhist use of the word "god", does not refer to a permanent, almighty, creator being, as known in other world religions.
The six realms of existence include three relatively happy states, and three relatively miserable states. The realms of the gods, the demigods and human beings are considered relatively happy because in these realms, living beings experience more happiness and less suffering. The realms of animals, hungry ghosts and the hells are considered relatively miserable because living beings there suffer more from fear, hunger, thirst, heat, cold and pain. Existence in all six realms is impermanent, and all beings from the gods, to the hell beings, are reborn according to their karma.
In general, wholesome actions like good conduct, charity and mental development are the cause of rebirth in the happy realms of the gods, demigods and human beings. On the other hand, unwholesome actions like immoral conduct, miserliness and cruelty cause rebirth in the unhappy realms of the animals, hungry ghosts and the hells.
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We do not have to wait for rebirth, to imagine what existence in other realms is like. For instance, when we are intensely happy, or totally at peace with ourselves, we experiences a state similar to that of the gods. When we are overwhelmed by fear and pain, we experience suffering like that of the hells.
Of all the six realms, the realm of human beings is considered the most desirable. We experience both happiness and suffering, and have the best opportunity to understand the Dharma. We should appreciate this life, and remember that the principal cause of rebirth in this realm is Good Conduct.
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