[Buddha-l] Re: Five moral objections to karma

[Benito Carral]

On Friday, March 11, 2005, Wong Weng Fai wrote:

> the author raised five moral objections to karma:

> 1. The problem of memory

   I think that Buddhist karma has nothing to do with justice but with
how the things work. If I say something harsh to you, even if I forget
it, you could be resentful to me next time we meet.

> 2. The problem of proportionality

   It  is  said that only buddhas can know this. But anyway, how knows
for  sure?  Maybe  I  say  someone  something harsh and he kills me in
return. Justice? Proportionality? It doesn't apply here, I think.

> 3. Infinite regress

   I  don't  understand  it as infinite regress, but more as "we don't
remember how all this started."

> 4. The problem of explaining death

   Death  would  be  a punishment as long as one if fetter to samsara,
because  he  will  rebirth  again  and  suffer again. Death would be a
reward  if one is not fetter to samsara, since he will not rebirth nor
experience any suffering again.


> 5. The free will problem

> "can  karma  be  squared  at  all  with  the existence of free moral
> agents?"

   I can't see what the objection is here.


   Best wishes,

   Beni