Hello Michael, Nina, et al,

I remember being taught about this issue by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph
Goldstein at the Insight Meditation Society. It is a teaching from the
Burmese tradition. I apologize in advance if I am not able to properly
articulate it.

We are all subject to the unrelenting laws of cause and affect. Unwholesome
actions have unwholesome results, and wholesome actions have wholesome
results. The more unwholesome the act is, the more unwholesome the affect
is, and vice versa

Someone who is more mindful, even if they commit an unwholesome act, is
likely to put somewhat less energy into that act. There may be the slightest
hesitation before committing that act. Therefore, the act will be slightly
less powerful, and slightly less unwholesome.

Anything that strengthens mindfulness will help to protect us. Hopefully
exposure to the Dhamma is one of them! Ignorance is not a protection against
the results of unwholesome acts. Indeed, ignorance leaves us defenseless,
like an ancient city with no walls. This is why ignorance is one of the
three the poisons. Ignorance is one of the reasons that we continue to be
subject to the relentless cycle of samsara.

The good news for those of us who have been exposed - even briefly - to the
Dhamma, is that this exposure helps protect us against future misfortune. It
is especially good news for our future lives, but it is also pretty good
news for this one. :)

Metta,

Eric Van Horn
Colchester, Vermont


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Beisert [mailto:mbeisert@...]
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 11:46 AM
To: Pali@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Pali] Pali - Every few days - [B094]

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??
>

_________________________________________________________________
Surf and talk on the phone at the same time with broadband Internet access.
Get high-speed for as low as $29.95/month (depending on the local service
providers in your area). https://broadband.msn.com



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[Homepage] http://www.tipitaka.net
[Send Message] pali@yahoogroups.com
Paaliga.na - a community for Pali students
Yahoo! Groups members can set their delivery options to daily digest or web
only.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/