Karma and death

[pliny]

Death in the Orient does not hold such dread as elsewhere in the world and posters should at least attempt to address this phenomenon before they seek to impose their western sentiment upon a society that cannot digest it without a pill of karma related balm.

Uncomfortable though it may seem, karma is the bedrock of the Thai. They will be appalled at this crime and their authorities will make all the right noises that may find an echo within the falang if only to save commercial face but ultimately her death will change nothing and if you understand Buddhism you will understand this.

It's not callous, it's just that is the way things are.

Why is not a sensible question here and has no relevance. There is no " Christian " purpose. Anyone asking it is in the wrong church.

Edited March 17, 2008 by pliny

[Master Chief]

Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The results or "fruits" of actions are called karma-phala. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward, karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well. It is cumulative.

[clausewitz]

Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The results or "fruits" of actions are called karma-phala. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward, karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well. It is cumulative.

Phal means fruit in pali, but the results of kamma are called vipaka.

[Maestro]

I have split the above posts about the philosophical concept of Karma from the topic "The Death Of Miss Hanna Charlotta Backlund" into this new topic . I felt that relatives of the murdered woman could consider it insensitive if this murder were being explained away with Karma, while this subject can indeed be an interesting topic for the Buddhism forum.

Should the relatives of a foreigner murdered in Thailand accept such murder without complaint and grief because the murder is "karma"?

Would it be acceptable that the murder were not investigated thoroughly and the murderer punished according to the law because the murder is "karma"?

--

Maestro

[sabaijai]

Good call Maestro. Let's see what happens.

[clausewitz]

When Moggalana was murdered by the assasins the Buddha explained that this was due to his attempting to kill his aged parents in a past life.

However, the killers were tracked down by the King's police and executed.

This is the translation from the Dhammapada commentary.

The news of the passing away of Thera Maha Moggallana at the hands of assassins spread like wild fire. King Ajatasattu ordered his men to investigate and get hold of the culprits. The assassins were caught and they were burnt to death

Buddhism doesn't hinder police carrying out their duties nor does it hinder other wordly things like making a living.

Edited March 19, 2008 by clausewitz