[lesso73]

Hello all

I have read 2 books by the same author "Introduction to Buddhism" and "Modern Buddhism"

after reading both books and spending time on this forum and other sites, I think I see what appears to be either contradictions or my lack of understanding showing.

First in the chapter "what is Karma" on page 25, there appears to be a list of actions and a set karmic outcomes.

Example: "...The experience similar to sexual misconduct is that we are quickly separated from our friends and family, our partners abandon us for someone else, the people who work for us soon resign, and we experience loneliness..."

He advises that this can be in this life or in another life and goes on to list other bad actions and the karmic outcomes of those actions.

Is he not doing what Buddha advised us not to do?

"There are these four unconjecturables that are not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness & vexation to anyone who conjectured about them. Which four?..."The [precise working out of the] results of kamma..."

At the beginning of the book, he tells a story about a monk who could transfer his consciousness into the dead body of either an animal or human and reanimate it, thus extending his existence. 1) I find this impossible to believe and reminds me of all the stories told to me as a child of Catholic Saints doing impossible things, like bringing statues of Jesus alive for the purpose of playing games, fish leaving the water to listen to gospel etc etc 2) is this not also in contradiction to what Buddha said??

"There are these four unconjecturables that are not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness & vexation to anyone who conjectured about them. Which four?..."The Buddha-range of the Buddhas is an unconjecturable that is not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness & vexation to anyone who conjectured about it...."

any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[induffike]

Hi Stevie I can't really comment on the books because I haven't read them.

Sutta AN 4.77 'Unconjecturable' is a good one to look at in relation to these matters. My opinion is that to interpret karma as being fixed and as a punishment system is incorrect.

As for re-animating dead bodies, that has absolutely nothing to do with the Dharma as taught by the Buddha.

[Doctorpills]

Thank you Aloka-D, I think from this point on I'll stick to the book recommendations from this community...I have been reading from the sites and online libraries and videos mentioned here and I find them more helpful and the resources don't leave me confused or concerned about what I am reading

[emupsMaispubs]

I'm very glad that you're finding the website helpful, Stevie,

[DadaSeeva]

Hi Stevie, I haven't read the books either.

My understanding is that it is the exact working of karma which is unconjecturable - as Aloka-D has said this means viewing karma as a punishment system or being fixed and getting into dialogues, with yourself and/or others about karma causing this or that in someone's life ( in general trying to use the concept of karma as an explanation ) is missing the point.
This is different to the understanding that can be gained from seeing that how we experience our world depends on our actions; and therefore we need to pay attention to our actions ( as the example from the book which you quoted above shows using sexual misconduct as an action ).
I know his articles have been quoted many times here at BWB - the articles from Ken Mcleod which can be read at his website Unfettered Mind ... in particular this one " Karma does not explain anything " are very good and relevant. http://www.unfetteredmind.org/karma-two-approaches/3
I used these articles when I ran groups for woman experiencing domestic violence and found them very empowering and useful.

[rusculture]

Thank you andyrobyn

that makes perfect sense to me and is observable in my own life, especially when simplified by the phrase used in the article that you mentioned "If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got."

Karma as instruction means to observe our actions and appreciate how consequential each action is in reinforcing or dismantling an habituated pattern.

I think I understood Karma better before I read the book haha thanks for getting me back on track

[peemovvie]

Well steviedean,

Just a thought...

If you want a more accurate assessment to your question, why not email to any New Kadampa Tradition site to seek proper clarification to see what context were those excerpts you reproduced were taught in? After all, they would be the best source to clarify and check what their Founder had mentioned, no?

[Kokomoxcvcv]

thanks plwk the reason that I posted my question here, is that I'm very new to Buddhism and wish to be very careful about who I listen to. Having read these forums, I feel confidence in the advice that I am receiving here...at this stage, I am not attached (pardon the word attached haha) to any tradition (yet) and would prefer to receive impartial and unbiased answers from a group of people from varied traditions and experiences.

[Switiespils]

Hello Steve,

You have been wonderfully advised. So there is not too much to add but just a personal recommendation.

If I were to chose the teachings of Buddha against others... I would chose Buddha's first and from them make a careful reflection and verification of what he has taught.

[AlexanderPalamayr]

thank you Kaarine Alejandra I 100% agree with your recommendation