[Afigenatjola]

-All actions/intentions/etc. reap benefits/consequences (this is karma). Intentinal action has a consequence, If I choose to steal, that has a consequence

-Everything that happens to you (good or bad) is a result of Karma This is Hindu/Jain metaphysical Kamma. The Buddhas redefined Kamma in terms of intentional action in the mind and the effects on the mind. He taught that somethings can happen due to other causes, for example lightening striking a person is just an act of nature, no Kamma involved in it

-Buddhists do not believe in 'luck', everything is a result of something else. (therefore there is no 'randomness'? ) Yes but not everything is the result of intentional action

-There is no self or inherent existence, yet our own actions result in our own karma (that follow ‘us’ from life to life) The subject of rebirth is difficult to address here, I would recommend you read one of the rebirth threads on this forum first and then, if you dont find the answer you seek in relation to this, ask again



These things don't really make 'logical' sense to me... (or contradict my above understanding of what I know what about Karma so far...)

-How can karma follow us as individuals if none of us have inherent self-existence? It doesnt follow us, its a process. The Buddha taught that there is anatta, not self. However the sense of self, or ego-consciousness, does arise. This happens when there is clinging, for example cling to a phone and its "my" phone, a "self" has been born. When this "self" has been born (whenever there is clinging) the result of a past intentional action will come to be

-How can natural events (such as death from earthquake/tsunami/storm/etc.) be results of our human intentions/actions (IE How can natural events be the results of karma) They are not, this is a Hindu/Jain metaphysical Kamma that gets confused with Buddha (dont worry, a lot of Buddhists make this mistake as well)

-What even is Karma… Is it some kind of energy? How can it follow us around and reap results on our lives if it is not ‘something’? Its a mental process

-Randomness must exist, since ‘free-thinking’ humans exist. (I can choose to go out on the streets and start pushing or hugging ‘random’ people for no reason. Can it really be argued that those people are reaping the results of previous past karma?) Can of worms has been opened , difficult question which I cant answer right now due to time constraints, Will get back to you






How can we really say that every 'bad event' in our lifetimes is a result of past karma? (is there any logical reason or evidence to support this belief?) Buddha didnt say "bad" events were

How can we even argue that karma even exists? (when natural events completely out of our control happen all the time, sometimes even effecting thousands of people at a time) Its easy to see how intentional action has a result. If I choose to drink "I" am born into the insanity of drunkness




I have a feeling everything im about to say/ask is merely because I have not done enough research on Karma, and therefore do not fully understand it, so if you can help me better wrap my mind around Karma (logically) I would greatly appreciate it. So far, Karma is the only thing I am having trouble understanding. I would strongly recommend reading these

http://das-buddhistische-haus.de/pag...n_Buddhism.pdf

and

http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/kamma.htm


Hope that was helpful