Nina,

On the surface this seems like a very easy question but in fact it is very
complex. Maybe this is the reason there has been no replies so far? I had in
the back of my mind that somewhere I read something about your question but
my research ended empty and therefore I will give you my opinion on it. I
think the answer to your question is no, someone who has not heard the
Dhamma and commits an akusala deed is in a better position than someone who
knows the Dhamma, even worse if someone is a commited disciple of the
Buddha. My reasoning is that someone that knows that a certain deed should
be avoided and nevertheless does it would have a stronger mental imprint
because of that than someone who is ignorant of the Dhamma. And that
stronger imprint means a stronger kamma. Having said that we should remember
that the workings of kamma can be very complex and just as a reminder look
at the Lonaphala Sutta (AN III.99).

Now the question becomes really complex when you throw in the �skilful
means� so highly praised in the Mahayana tradition. And using a skilful
means interpretation of a certain deed, what apparently would be an akusala
deed could be regarded as kusala. And this really opens the door for any
actions to be interpreted anyway you want and to atribute any kamma
consequences you want.

Metta
Michael

>From: nina van gorkom <nilo@...>
>Reply-To: Pali@yahoogroups.com
>To: <Pali@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [Pali] Pali - Every few days - [B094]
>Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 19:15:12 +0100
>
>Dear John and friends,
>This is interesting. We just discussed in Dhamma Study Group this subject.
>Suppose you do evil without having heard the Dhamma, is this evil greater
>than when you know it is akusala? I frwd this post to the group.
>Nina.
>op 29-10-2003 16:27 schreef John Kelly op palistudent@...:
>
> > Pali - Every few days - [B094]
> > Gair/Karunatillake - Chapter 5 ? Further Readings
> > Ex. 3. (Part 1 of 2)
> >
> > Raajaa aaha: ?Bhante Naagasena, yo jaananto
> > paapakamma.m karoti, yo ajaananto paapakamma.m karoti,
> > kassa bahutara.m apu~n~nan?ti?
> > The king said: "Venerable Nagasena, for whom is the
> > greater demerit, one who knowingly does evil, or one
> > who does evil unknowingly??
>

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