Do you believe in Karma?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

How is breaking your ankle for being a bad kid growing up any sort of lesson? They aren't related????

Or is Karma just something bad happening to you in payback for something bad you did?

That's how I take it, yes. I did a bunch of bad stuff, I suffered the consequence in breaking an ankle.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by anotherday

In theory, I love karma because it gives reassurance that the bad people (and the good people) of the world will get what they deserve - for better or worse. It gives a hope for a universal balance of things.

But that doesn't always happen? So why lie to yourself about it? I think it's better for people to accept and realize that life is not balanced - that the world we live in is far from balanced.

I wouldn't tell a kid that his 3 legged stool with one short leg is balanced, then let him fall off - so I wouldn't tell him the world is, then let it consume him

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by Ben

That's how I take it, yes. I did a bunch of bad stuff, I suffered the consequence in breaking an ankle.

New born baby with a weak heart? How did it deserve such a thing?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

New born baby with a weak heart? How did it deserve such a thing?

Are you questioning someone's believe system. Their religion? Whether or not we think he's right or that a particular thought process is logical, I think we should pick our battles.

Having said that, I personally believe karma relates to is yet to happen - to be doled out in another life. In the here and now, trying to cope with life's problems and trying to ease the the suffering of those around us, is not something any single religion or belief system has a monopoly on. As far as religions go though, Buddhism is probably the most "logical". For instance, whether you believe in God or not, you can still be a Buddhist. That's pretty gosh darned inclusive right there!

[jamo]

My personal set of beliefs go something like this: I think that people tend to get what they deserve, because people who put themselves in a position to succeed will succeed more often than not, and people who set themselves up for failure with fail more often then not. Obviously there are exceptions, and a lot of them, but I don't think there is some sort of supernatural force that gives people what they deserve, in part because of all of the exceptions. But, hey, believe what you want, it's not something I think about all that much.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Are you questioning someone's believe system. Their religion?

No, just want an understanding of how the process would work in such a scenario

ie. Was it because of the babies life before this one?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

No, just want an understanding of how the process would work in such a scenario

You should read up on Buddhism. Suffering goes on all around us. We can either recognize that and try to make a contribution in a positive way, or we can worry about a hypothetical life after death. The irony is that doing what you can in the present is what brings about the good karma in the afterlife. Ultimately, it's not all about us. There's no amount of good any one of us can be to prevent all innocent people from suffering. Bad things just happen. It's what we do next that's important.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

There's no amount of good any one of us can be to prevent all innocent people from suffering. Bad things just happen. It's what we do next that's important.

That's exactly what I believe.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

No, just want an understanding of how the process would work in such a scenario

ie. Was it because of the babies life before this one?

That is an extreme scenario, but certainly a valid question. Something I've never really though about before. I'm not an authority on Buddhism but from what I've read I think you are on the right track. Buddhism's belief system talks about doing good in this life to better yourself in the next. So yeah, in your scenario, in regards to bad karma, its quite possible that that newborn is suffering the repercussions of misdeeds in a previous life.

In any case, karma, Buddhism, most religions really, one of the main goals is to live a peaceful, meaningful life. "Do unto others, as you'd have others do unto you" Its not the worst way to go about life. Wouldn't you agree?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Ben

That is an extreme scenario, but certainly a valid question. Something I've never really though about before. I'm not an authority on Buddhism but from what I've read I think you are on the right track. Buddhism's belief system talks about doing good in this life to better yourself in the next. So yeah, in your scenario, in regards to bad karma, its quite possible that that newborn is suffering the repercussions of misdeeds in a previous life.

In any case, karma, Buddhism, most religions really, one of the main goals is to live a peaceful, meaningful life. "Do unto others, as you'd have others do unto you" Its not the worst way to go about life. Wouldn't you agree?

Unless you're a masochist.

[CG031]

Originally Posted by Ben

I was a pretty bad kid growing up and did a lot of things a know I shouldn't have.

Ahhh. So that explains why you haven't reached the Tour yet...