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12 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS
Questions on Kamma
By Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi
There is a tremendous variety this is not the kamma of lying, for
among the living beings existing in there is no intention of deceiving.
the world. People and animals are of
different sorts. What is it that causes Kamma manifests itself in three
us to take rebirth in a particular ways, through three “doors” of
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi is an form? Does it happen through action. These are body, speech and
American Buddhist monk and coincidence, through accident, by mind. When we act physically the
one of the foremost translators chance without any reason or is body serves as the instrument for
there some principle behind it? volition. This is bodily kamma.
and scholars of Theravāda
What is it that determines the form When we speak, expressing our
Buddhism. Born Jeffrey Block
of rebirth we take? Buddha answers thoughts and intentions, that
in Brooklyn, New York, in
these questions, with the Pali term is verbal kamma, which can
1944, he obtained a Ph.D. in “kamma”. Kamma is the factor which be performed either directly
philosophy from Claremont determines the specific form of through speech or else indirectly
Graduate University before rebirth, what kind of a person we through writing or other means of
ordaining as a Buddhist monk are, at the outset of our life, and it is communications. When we think,
in Sri Lanka in 1972 under the kamma again that determines a good plan, desire inwardly, without any
guidance of Ven. Balangoda number of the experiences that we outer action, that is mental kamma.
Ananda Maitreya. Bhikkhu undergo in the course of our life. What lies behind all these forms of
Bodhi is widely respected for his actions is the mind and the chief
English translations of key Pāli The word “kamma” means literally mental factor which causes the
texts, including the Majjhima action, deed or doing. But in action is the volition.
Nikāya, Samyutta Nikāya, and Buddhism it means specifically Kamma as a Seed
Anguttara Nikāya, published volitional action. The Buddha says:
“Monks it is volition that I call First of all, not all Kamma has to
by the Pali Text Society and
kamma. For having willed, one then ripen as a matter of necessity.
Wisdom Publications. He served
acts by body, speech or mind”. What Although it has the tendency to
as the editor and later president
really lies behind all action, the ripen, it does not ripen inevitably.
of the Buddhist Publication essence of all action, is volition, the Kamma is like a seed. Seeds
Society in Sri Lanka. A scholar power of the will. It is this volition ripen only if they meet the right
and humanitarian, he also expressing itself as action of body, conditions. But if they do not meet
founded Buddhist Global Relief, speech and mind that the Buddha the right conditions they remain as
a nonprofit organization calls kamma. This means that seeds; if they are destroyed they can
addressing hunger and poverty. unintentional action is not kamma. never ripen at all. Similarly, it can be
Bhikkhu Bodhi continues to If we accidently step on some ants said of kamma that kamma pushes
teach, write, and advocate while walking down the street, that for an opportunity to mature. It has
for social justice grounded in is not the kamma of taking life, for a tendency to mature. If kamma
Buddhist principles. there was no intention to kill. If we finds the opportunity then it will
speak some statement believing it to bring its results. If it does not
be true and it turns out to be false, meet the right conditions it won’t
