[Buddha-l] Re: H.H. The Dalai Lama on Stone and Karma

[Mitchell Ginsberg]

Hello all, 
I was struck by the statement by HH the Dalai Lama that 
every event is karma, and then saw the comments by Richard 
citing the Abhidharmakosha that any event that does not 
actively impede an effect can be considered a cause of that 
effect, karma being among the former (deliberate action as 
one kind of event), and Pedro's question about whether there 
is a "traditional/orthodox" view of causation/karma and then 
a "popular" one. 
It does seem to be a rather sweeping idea. I don't want to 
argue with HHDL, but I recall that in the Tipitaka, in any 
case, there are eight sorts of particulars that are taken as 
causes, karma being one of the eight, as listed by the 
Buddha in a conversation with Moliyasivaka. SN.iv.230-231
(if I can believe my book The inner Palace, pp. 284,538n20.) 

I have seen karma in casual (non-Buddhist contexts) used 
to mean the results of one's actions (which in more precise 
terminology I suppose would be called karmaphala or by 
some similar term, the fruits of karma, rather than karma
itself)..... 

But the idea that there are no causes other than karmic
ones just seems counter-intuitive (I know that's no 
reason or "argument" for anyone else to agree, per se), 
and seems to be unintelligible when we think of any 
complex happening (as in our world) especially when
thinking of events that impact lots of people. 

It is unfortunate, I think, that HHDL's comments 
about not being sure in the case of the current 
earthquakes in China that the principle applies
did not go further than they did. Maybe someone
ready to ask the hard questions was not present, 
or did not want to push him to address the issue
more explicitly. 

It still might be asked in a general way, without
the political powder-key of any Tibetan-Chinese
communication at this point in time .... 

What do others see, from either the Theravada
texts or other Buddhist sources, that can suggest
a more complicated and variegated world, where
karma is joined by other features of our world
to explain what is going on? 

Mitchell

==========
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