Theos-Talk Archives (November 1998 Message tt00345)

In a message dated 11/19/98 5:02:19 AM, John wrote:

>"W. Dallas TenBroeck" wrote:
>>
>> Nov. 18th 1998
>>
>> All events are Karmic.
>
>That is a very bold statement indeed.
>
>Karmic law, as I currently understand it is a "moral" law.  It is also
>very difficult to understand when one is very much involved in karma
>itself, infact several wise sages have suggested that one cannot really
>learn to understand what karma is until we are no longer caught within
>its grip.  Then again I cannot understand how we cannot be caught up in it.
>However what about cause and effect, is it the same as Karma?
>
The meaning of the word "karma" is, Action.   Action is one of the fundamental
natures of the universe and the root of all change.  From a scientific
standpoint, action is always followed by an equal and opposite reaction.  From
a moral standpoint, "there is no karma unless there is a being to make it or
feel its effects"--implying that action and reaction are dependently arising
and that every cause has a corresponding effect.  According to the Aphorisms
on Karma by WQJ (available free from ULT)--Karma, then, is "the adjustment of
effects flowing from causes, during which the being upon whom and through whom
that adjustment is effected experiences pain or pleasure".  The rest of these
31 aphorisms fully explains all aspects of karma, from its human to its
cosmological implications.
>
>If karma is a moral law then can animals have karma?

Karma, as action-reaction, is both a natural law a well as a moral law.  But
morality depends on choice based on intellectual as well as spiritual
understanding of right or wrong.  Since animals have no such understanding,
the moral aspect of karmic law does not apply to them, although its physical
aspect does.  If a rabbit chooses to attack a Lion, its karmic effect would be
that the rabbit gets killed and eaten.  So much for "instant karma".  "As ye
sow, so shall ye reap", as said in the bible, is one way of understanding
karma.  "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", although often
misinterpreted, is yet another.  Also, again often misunderstood, is the
saying, "The sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons" (Sons meaning, the
reincarnating ego)
>
Best wishes,

Leon