Theos-Talk Archives (April 1999 Message tt00011)

<<As I see it the question is not of a good or a bad rebirth.  The
main question is :  does KARMA exist ?  does it operate?>>

There are, of course, many ways to define or look at karma. One is
rewards and punishments, a moralistic or ethical view which inherently
sees reinarnation as an endless wheel or rebirths. This is, in the
Buddhist view, a nightmare view that Buddha's fourth law is directed to
oppose. I agree with Buddha on this one.

I feel very very strongly that karma exists. I have personally felt the
effects of what I call karmic backlash. I took a personal vow many years
ago to let my past karma come to me right now in this life, and I guess
at least some of it took me up on it.  And yes, I think it does exist
over lifetimes. However, I am Buddhist enough to hope that it can all
end in a flash of enlightenment some day.


>>Is Universal, or is it in any way restricted by anyone's views of
it ?>>

This is a trick question, Dallas, although I doubt that you meant it to
be. The best answer here is a smile because a simple yes or no would be
misleading. The best I can think of to say is that yes it is universal
and yes it is restricted by one's view and can even be eliminated by
one's view because in a sense it is one's view that is itself one's
karma. Our viewpoint is itself karmic. So the view of liberation from
karma is inherent within the law of karma. In another sense, we
karmically get into karma and then we karmically get ourselves out of
it. I am smiling even as I write this.


<<If it works and does exist is it an aspect of the manifested as
well a the unmanifest Universe ?>>

Karma works or exists only within time and space. Cause and effect
require time. Outside of our spacetime continuum (which is to say our
7-plane solar system or universe as defined by HPB) there is no karma or
evolution or action. Things that require time don't exist outside of
time.


>>If it is an aspect of both or either, then such a division would
make it separate and partial and therefore not UNIVERSAL.<<

It is universal because it acts throughout our universe as HPB carefully
defines "universe." (i.e, within our spacetime continuum of 7 planes)


<<What do you think it is supposed to be, and why is it there as a
concept ?
Dal>>

I think karma is supposed to be a general law of cause and effect
through time that acts anywhere in our universe as that universe
evolves. It can only be totally eliminated or transcended (a much better
word, I think) when time and space are transcended.

What do you think it is?

Jerry S


-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.