Up@dawn 2.0

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

group 1 Stand Up Philosophers (17)

During our last class we discussed our readings, and conversed about the differences and similarities of Buddhism and Jainism. We also pondered on the thoughts of Karma and reincarnation. We then came up with some questions

Which one of these is not one of the "Four Noble Truths" of Buddhism?
A.Life is suffering
B. one can eliminate selfish craving by following the right way
C. selfish craving can be eliminated
D. Suffering arises from selflessness

the answer is D

What do you think of the concept of Karma?


4 comments:

  1. I think karma is an interesting concept. While I do not believe in reincarnation, I like that whole idea that our actions and choices in life can have an effect on the outcome of our lives.

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  2. I like the concepts of Karma in the sense that if you do something good something good will happen to you in return. I also believe in reincarnation, but I'm not sure if it matters if you have good karma is in this life, because in the next one you'd be working on having good karma for the next life and so on.
    I think it'd be awesome if your life was like a video game and at the end you see a black wall that says "game over would you like to try again?" and you say yes and start back at the beginning but have no memory of any of it. What if that's why we have deja vu? we get glimpses from our past...

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  3. "The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of action and reaction; it is a natural law, which has nothing to do with the idea of justice or reward and punishment. Every volitional action produces its effects or results. If a good action produces good effects, it is not justice, or reward, meted out by anybody or any power sitting in judgement of your action, but this is in virtue of its own nature, its own law. This is not difficult to understand. But what is difficult is that, according to karma theory, the effects of a volitional action may continue to manifest themselves even in a life after death. (Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught)."

    http://themiddleway.net/?p=21

    I think this is the applicable definition of Karma and how it is applied in PW. Karma is not about getting something in return but rather doing things because they will ultimately lead to how your life turns out.

    "Looking at action, regardless of positive/negative|good/bad, the action is the result of something; it is the effect of other causes. To end up in another country one does not just click their fingers. One must find a method to get there, pack up, make arrangements for transportation and living at both ends, communicate to their family/friends what is going to take place. Then after ALL of this, the person finally takes karma(action). They are living their karma, their action."

    http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Buddha-Buddhism-Religion-Nirvana.htm

    I believe that this is another great description. I don't think Karma is for the next life but rather what we want to accomplish in this life. Karma leads us down one of two roads and the end result can always be different based on the decisions we make. It also states that the Karma from one life can "manifest in a life after death." I think that's a more accurate testament than saying that one bad life will cause you to come back as a fly in the next life.

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  4. I believe that karma is real. Even if it does not exist on a metaphysical level, karma is also simple cause and effect.

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