Question for Buddhists

[Narz]

I have a question about karma. Why is it that one's bad (or good) karma does not come back to one in this lifetime necessarily? Wouldn't people learn faster (and thereby reach enlightenment sooner) if they realized the cause and effect relationship of their actions more quickly? It seems the period we must spend in samsara is unnecessarily drawn out, any idea as to why that is?

 

[greenpeace]

For me Karma is not really a concrete thing. It isn't that Karma is this monster thats going to come eat you some time in this life or the next. Karma is more like that if you commit cruel and bad acts you are corrupting your soul and vice versa.

 

[Gilder]

I have a question about karma. Why is it that one's bad (or good) karma does not come back to one in this lifetime necessarily? Wouldn't people learn faster (and thereby reach enlightenment sooner) if they realized the cause and effect relationship of their actions more quickly? It seems the period we must spend in samsara is unnecessarily drawn out, any idea as to why that is?

Paitence, grasshopper. The quick way is not always the best way.

 

[Narz]

Paitence, grasshopper. The quick way is not always the best way.

I assume you are on dial-up then?

 

[Gilder]

I assume you are on dial-up then?

...OK, the quick way is not always the best way outside the internet.

And no, I don't have dial-up.

 

[shadow2k]

I'm not Buddhist, but I'd imagine that if you expected good things to happen to you in return and they didn't...you might lose faith. By saying you won't see the returns in this life, nobody can prove it's not true. Much like other religions...

 

[Dann]

Yeah, that's basically it.

Couple that with the concept of Reincarnation, and the promise of being born into better conditions the next time around, it's a very effective way of keeping huge masses of humanity in line with minimal effort. And all without having to hoist feelings of unfounded guilt, or threats of eternal torment on them too.

 

[aneeshm]

For a good explanation of the Hindu theory of Karma , go to this site : The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda .

Go to Volume One , and in that , read the parts relating to Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga ( including Swamiji's commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras ) . Both types of Yoga are worth reading .







@ Nasz

It is funny that you should bring this up . The first use of metals in medicine is credited to a sect which thought just like you , the Rasayanas . Their idea was that the cycle of birth and death interrupts man's spiritual development . Therefore , the life of man should be prolonged , using chemical means if necessary , until he achieves enlightenment in this life itself . That sect made a number of important contributions to Indian medicine . Their goal , however , remains unreached .

 

[Narz]

Thanks aneeshm, I forgot that it was the Hindus who came up with the concept of karma originally. Thanks for the link and the info about the Rasayans, I will look them up.

 

[Wolfe Tone]

Just go watch My Name is Earl, it will tell you all you need to know about Karma