Transcript Slide 1

The Working of
Kamma
“By Kamma is this world led” - Atthasalini
The Working of Kamma
Mind or consciousness, plays the most
important part in the generation of
Kamma.
It is the mind that either defiles or
purifies one. Mind is both the bitterest
enemy and the greatest friend of
oneself.
To understand Kamma, it is necessary to
acquaint oneself with thought-process
(cittavithi) according to Abhidhamma.
Thought Process
When a person is deep in a dreamless sleep, he
experiences a kind of consciousness which is
similar to the consciousness one experiences at
the moment of conception and at the moment of
death (cuti).
This type of consciousness is called Bhavanga
which means a factor of life, or indispensable
cause or condition of existence.
Arising and perishing every moment, Bhavanga
flows on like a stream not remaining the same for
two consecutive moments.
Thought Process
We experience the Bhavanga in our waking state
as well. In fact, we experience the Bhavanga
thought-moments more than any other type of
consciousness.
The Bhavanga consciousness, which one always
experiences until it is interrupted by an external
stimuli, vibrates for a thought-moment and
passes away when a physical or mental object
enters the mind.
Suppose, for instance, the mind is presented with a
physical object. Let us now trace the thought-moment
process going through the mind.
His Bhavanga consciousness is
interrupted, vibrates for a
thought-moment and passes
away. This gives rise to the
Arrest Bhavanga.
The sense-door consciousness
(panca dvaravajjana), which
serves to turn the
consciousness to the object,
arises and passes away.
Immediately after this, there
arises visual consciousness
(cakkhuvinnana) which sees the
object, but yet knows no more
about it.
This sense operation is followed
by a moment of the reception of
the object so seen
(sampaticchana).
Wow!! A
chest of
jewels!!
Next arises the investigating
thought-moment (santirana)
which momentarily examines
the object so seen.
Diamonds,
ruby,
gold!!
This is followed by the
determining thought-moment
(vottapana) when discrimination
is exercised and freewill may
play its part.
If it belongs
to me, I will
be rich….
The Javana process then runs for 7
thought-moments. It is at this stage
that an action is judged, whether it be
moral or immoral. Kamma is
performed at this stage.
If, for instance, one sees an enemy, anger will arise automatically creating
bad kamma. A wise person might, with self-control, radiate a thought of
loving kindness towards him.
Depending on how we exercise our own freewill to overcome the external
stimuli, moral or immoral thoughts will be generated by the mind.
The Javana
process
Javana means running. It is so called
because, in the course of a thought-process,
it runs consequently for 7 thought-moments,
or, at the time of death, for 5 thoughtmoments.
The mental states occurring in all these 7
thought-moments are similar, but the
potential force differs.
The Javana
process (7 thought
moments)
1
The effect of the Kamma
from the 1st thoughtmoment is the weakest in
potentiality. One may
reap its effect in this life
itself. This is called the
‘Immediately Effective’
Kamma which becomes
ineffective if it does not
operate in this life.
2
3
4
5
6
7
The effect of Kamma from
the 7th thought-moment is
the next weakest. One may
reap its effect in the
subsequent birth
(Subsequently Effective
Kamma), which
automatically becomes
ineffective if it does not
operate in the second birth.
The Javana
process (7 thought
moments)
1
2 3 4 5
6
7
The effect of the Kamma from the other 5 thought-moments
may take place at any time in the course of one’s wandering
in Samsara until one’s final liberation. This type of Kamma
is termed ‘Indefinitely Effective’.
Nobody is
watching. I
will take the
jewels!!
After the Javana process, the
registering consciousness
(tadalambana) lasting for two
thought-moments takes over and
completes the entire thought
process.
Thought Process
Summarising the thought process………
1. His Bhavanga consciousness is interrupted, vibrates for a thoughtmoment and passes away.
2. The sense-door consciousness (panca dvaravajjana), which serves to
turn the consciousness to the object, arises and passes away.
3. Immediately after this, there arises visual consciousness
(cakkhuvinnana) which sees the object, but yet knows no more about it.
4. This sense operation is followed by a moment of the reception of the
object so seen (sampaticchana).
5. Next arises the investigating thought-moment (santirana) which
momentarily examines the object so seen.
6. This is followed by the determining thought-moment (vottapana) when
discrimination is exercised and freewill may play its part.
7. The Javana process then runs for 7 thought-moments. It is at this stage
that an action is judged, whether it be moral or immoral. Kamma is
performed at this stage.
8. The registering consciousness (tadalambana) lasting for two thoughtmoments completes the entire thought process.