[Buddha-l] Re: Buddhist pacifism

[curt]

Kate wrote:

>Hi Everyone,
>
>I am new to the study of Buddhism.  I have limited access to my teachers so
>a lot of my knowledge has come from my interpretation of what I've read and
>personal insights. However I don't know if these interpretations and
>insights are correct.  Would someone please look over the following
>statements regarding karma and tell me if I've missed something basic.
>
>Firstly, I was under the impression that it is the intent behind an act that
>counts, not so much the act itself.  
>
You should seriously consider getting Rupert Gethin's "Foundations of 
Buddhism". Its probably just what you need. I am tempted to say its what 
everyone needs, but maybe that's going too far. If you look up "karma" 
in the index (I highly recommend reading the whole thing straight 
through before just looking things up in the index, though) you'll find 
lots of insightful things. Like on page 120 Gethin quotes from the 
Anguttara Nikaaya: "It is intention that I call karma; having formed the 
intention one performs acts (karma) by body speech and mind." But not 
only does not answer your question - it obviously makes things even 
worse. First the Buddha says that intention is karma, but then he says 
that karma is precisely the actions that are performed once the 
intention is formed. But of course Gethin provides the reference, so you 
can find the whole passage on the internet (at 
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an06-063.html - 
scroll down to the section labeled [5]):

"'Kamma should be known. The cause by which kamma comes into play should 
be known. The diversity in kamma should be known. The result of kamma 
should be known. The cessation of kamma should be known. The path of 
practice for the cessation of kamma should be known.' Thus it has been 
said. In reference to what was it said?

"Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of 
body, speech, & intellect.

"And what is the cause by which kamma comes into play? Contact is the 
cause by which kamma comes into play.

"And what is the diversity in kamma? There is kamma to be experienced in 
hell, kamma to be experienced in the realm of common animals, kamma to 
be experienced in the realm of the hungry shades, kamma to be 
experienced in the human world, kamma to be experienced in the world of 
the devas. This is called the diversity in kamma.

"And what is the result of kamma? The result of kamma is of three sorts, 
I tell you: that which arises right here & now, that which arises later 
[in this lifetime], and that which arises following that. This is called 
the result of kamma.

"And what is the cessation of kamma? From the cessation of contact is 
the cessation of kamma; and just this noble eightfold path -- right 
view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right 
effort, right mindfulness, right concentration -- is the path of 
practice leading to the cessation of kamma.

"Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns kamma in this way, the 
cause by which kamma comes into play in this way, the diversity of kamma 
in this way, the result of kamma in this way, the cessation of kamma in 
this way, & the path of practice leading to the cessation of kamma in 
this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation 
of kamma.

"'Kamma should be known. The cause by which kamma comes into play... The 
diversity in kamma... The result of kamma... The cessation of kamma... 
The path of practice for the cessation of kamma should be known.' Thus 
it has been said, and in reference to this was it said."

- Curt