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Life, Love, and Karma

Kirk Sandvig, Ph.D.

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Karma and Rebirth

“It is will [cetana], O monks, that I call karma; for having willed, one acts through body, speech or mind” (Anguttara-nikaya, III, 415).
Accidental actions do not result in karma.
Intentional actions condition life in the future and ultimately rebirth.

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Good and Bad Actions

Wholesome acts (kusala)
Unwholesome acts (akusala)

Root causes

Greed
Hate
Delusion (Ignorance)

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Wholesome action is one that promotes a positive condition of mind and body for the actor and for those affected by the action.

It is also one that is conducive to the attainment of Nirvana.

Unwholesome action is one that produces harmful effects and not conducive to attaining nirvana.

Root causes – also known as Three root evils

Greed – allowing one’s actions to be rooted in longing for something or someone or in more strong desires like avarice or lust

This can also include clinging to dogmatic views that don’t allow for the uplifting on yourself or others.

Hatred – can involve irritation with something or someone or strong feelings of aversion, anger, or even wrath.

Delusion – pursuing actions that result from an active distortion of, or hiding from, the truth in certain matters or from being unclear of full of doubts about things one should make the effort to understand.

Opposite actions:

Non-greed – positive intentions of generosity or renunciation for the benefit of others

Non- hate – friendliness, patience, loving kindness, and compassion for others.

Non-delusion – clarity of mind and insight into reality.

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The Realms of Samsara

Rebirth takes place in:

Realm of sense desire (kama-loka)
Realm of form (rupa-loka)
Formless Realm (arupa-loka)

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Five Realms of Sense Desire

Hell Realms
Realms of Hungry Ghosts
Realms of Animals
Realms of Humans
Realms of Lower Gods (deva)

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The Hell Realms

Everything is repulsive
Constant state of mental and physical pain

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Realms Hungry Ghosts

Attached to earthly conditions
“Subtle Matter”
Tormented by their unsatisfied attachments

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Animal Realms

Undergo sufferings associated with animal conditions.

Servitude
Stupidity
Ignorance

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Human Realms

Where moral virtue and wisdom can be cultivated

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Realm of Lower Gods

Six levels of existence

Gandharvas
Yaksas
Raksasas
Nagas
Garudas
Tusita

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Realms of Form

Inhabited by higher gods (Brahma deities)
16 celestial levels of progressive calmness and purity

Four Meditations

Attune the consciousness to be reborn in higher realm

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Formless Realms

No desire, shape, or form, only pure mental existence
Four Formless Realms correspond to Four Formless Meditations
Four Virtues

Kindness
Compassion
Sympathetic joy
Equanimity

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The Wheel of Life

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The Three Root Evils

Greed
Hate
Delusion (ignorance)

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