What Kamma is

by Sayadaw U Thittila | 1996 | 4,604 words

"According to the seed that's sown, So is the fruit ye reap therefrom. Doer of good will gather good, Doer of evil, evil reaps, Sown is the seed, and thou shalt taste The fruit thereof" Buddha - Samyutta Nikaya Sukhi Hotu Sdn Bhd (#FREE001/1996) Printed By Unique, Penang, 1998...

Kamma 1 - Plane Of Misery

Immoral Kamma Which Produces Its Effect In The Plane Of Misery

1. Immoral Kamma is rooted in greed (Lobha) anger (Dosa) and delusion (Moha).

There are ten immoral actions (Kamma) - namely killing, stealing, unchastity (these three are caused by deed); lying, slandering, harsh speech, frivolous talk (these four are caused by speech); covetousness, ill-will and false view (these three are caused by mind).

Of these ten, killing means the destruction of any living being including animals of all kinds.  To complete this offence of killing, five conditions are necessary, viz: a being, knowing that it is a being, intention of killing, effort, and consequent death.

The evil effects of killing are: short life, illness, constant grief caused by separation from the loved, and constant fear.

To complete the offence of stealing, five conditions are necessary, viz: the object concerned is the property of another, knowing that it is so, intention of stealing, effort, and consequent removal. The effects of stealing are: poverty, wretchedness, unfulfilled desires, and dependent livelihood.

To complete the offence of unchastity (sexual misconduct), four conditions are necessary, viz: the mind to enjoy the forbidden object, the attempt to enjoy, devices to obtain, and possession. The effect of unchastity are: having many enemies, getting undesirable wives, birth as a woman or as an eunuch.

To complete the offence of lying, four conditions are necessary, viz: untruth, intention to deceive, effort, and communication of the matter to others. The effects of lying are: being tormented by abusive speech, being subject to vilification, losing one’s credibility, and stinking mouth.

To complete the offence of slandering, four conditions are necessary, viz: division of persons, intention to separate them, effort, and communication. The effect of slandering is the dissolution of friendship without any sufficient cause.

To complete the offence of harsh speech, three conditions are necessary, viz: someone to be abused, angry thought, and using abusive speech.  The effects of harsh speech are: being detested by others although blameless, and harsh voice.

To complete the offence of frivolous talk, two conditions are necessary, viz: the inclination towards frivolous talks, and its narration. The effects of frivolous talk are: disorderliness of the bodily organs and unacceptable speech.

To complete the offence of covetousness (Abhijjha), two conditions are necessary, viz: another’s property and strong desire for it, saying:

“Would this property be mine”. The effect of covetousness is unfulfilment of one’s wishes.To complete the offence of ill-will (Vyapada) two conditions are necessary, viz: another being and the intention of doing harm. The effects of ill-will are: ugliness, various diseases and detestable nature.

False view (Micchadittbi) means seeing things wrongly without understanding what they truly are. To complete this false view, two conditions are necessary, viz: perverted manner in which an object is viewed, and the misunderstanding of it according to that view. The effects of false views are: base attachment, lack of wisdom, dull wit, chronic diseases and blameworthy ideas.

Expositor, Pt.1, Pg 12B
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