Definitions of Key Words
We study the Law of Kamma so that we can understand it, so that we can live our lives accordingly. Our daily life requires us to make many decisions, and we must make them knowledgeably in regards to the Law of Kamma. There are important words in Buddhism which have a direct link to the Law of Kamma and it behooves us to learn them well so that we can make our decisions wisely. These important words include:
1. 'Right': It means an act which once it is carried out has a beneficial effect. It does not cause any damage, any harm, or any trouble for oneself and for all concerned.
2. 'Wrong': It means an act of carelessness or heedlessness that causes damage, harm, and trouble for oneself and for all concerned because it is an act of stupidity.
3. 'Good': It is an action which is taken because one is well aware that it is the right thing to do and one does it with attentiveness, carefulness, and confidence. The fruits of such deeds bring about happiness and merit.
4. 'Bad': It is an action which is carried out with the full knowledge that it is wrong, that it will cause damage and trouble for oneself and for all concerned. The fruit of such action is suffering, trouble, and retribution.
5. 'Merit': It means radiance, purity, goodness, and things that cleanse one's body, words, and thoughts from evil. Merit leads to happiness as taught by the Lord Buddha: "Behold, monks, don't be afraid of merit, for merit is the name of happiness." Merit is made when one acts wholesomely through one's body, words, and thoughts. Merit-making is an act performed by high-minded individuals.
6. 'Demerit': It means gloominess, wickedness, and filth which corrupt the body, the words, and the thoughts. Its fruit is suffering, grief, and dissatisfaction. Unwholesome deeds through one's body, words, and thoughts give rise to demerit. Unwholesome deeds are committed by corrupted individuals.
7. 'Advantage': It means the result of a wholesome deed in terms of praise and admiration.
8. 'Harm': It means the result of an unwholesome deed in terms of reproof and censure.
9. 'Should': It means knowing what should be done. That is, if what one wants to do is not wrong, does not cause any damage, but on the contrary is good and decent, one does it attentively and wholeheartedly.
10. 'Should not': It means knowing what should not be done. That is, if what one wants to do is not wrong and does not cause any damage but may be offensive and provoke reproof, then one chooses not to do it.
Kamma means an intentional action and can be performed in three ways: through the body, the words, and the thoughts. Kamma or an intentional action can be categorized in two ways as follows:
1. Wholesome Kamma: It means a good deed which gives rise to merit. The deed is not morally wrong. It is not unethical. It does not cause the mind to be gloomy. It can also be referred to as a wholesome intention, since one intentionally performs a good deed. Wholesome Kamma can be defined by the 'Tenfold Wholesome Course of Action' and involves physical, verbal, and mental deeds as follows:
* Physical Deeds: These are wholesome deeds which are performed through the body and can also be referred to as physical honesty and include:
(1) Panatipata Veramani: To abstain from taking the life of another living being.
(2) Adinnadana Veramani: To abstain from stealing.
(3) Kamesumicchacara Veramani: To abstain from sexual misconduct.
* Verbal Deeds: These are wholesome deeds which are performed through the words and can be referred to as verbal honesty and include:
(1) Musavada Veramani: To abstain from false speech such as lying, words designed to deceive or take advantage of others, etc.
(2) Pisunaya-vacaya Veramani: To abstain from divisive speech or words which cause division among people. They include sarcastic words, insulting words, gossip, etc. They also include words which are used to quarrel with one another.
(3) Pharusaya-vacaya Veramani: To abstain from offensive language which include swear words, words that sting, embarrass, and anger others.
(4) Samphappalapa Veramani: To abstain from nonsensical speech or words which are uttered at the wrong time, words which are meant to tease one another, words which are unbeneficial, words which are unjust, words which lack concrete evidence, etc.
* Mental Deeds: They mean wholesome thoughts and can be referred to as mental honesty and include:
(1) Anabhijjha: Non-covetousness.
(2) Abyapada: Not thinking aboutharming or exploiting others.
(3) Sammaditthi: Having 'Right View.'
2. Unwholesome Kamma: It means a bad deed. The deed is morally wrong and unethical. Once committed, it incurs retribution and causes the mind to be gloomy. It can also be referred to as an unwholesome intention since one intentionally performs a bad deed. Unwholesome Kamma can be defined by the 'Tenfold Unwholesome Course of Action' and involves physical, verbal, and mental misdeeds as follows:
* Physical Deeds: These are unwholesome deeds which are performed by the body and can also be referred to as physical dishonesty and include:
(1) Panatipata: To intentionally take the life of another living being.
(2) Adinnadana: To intentionally steal from others.
(3) Kamesumicchacara: To intentionally commit sexual misconduct.
* Verbal Deeds: These are unwholesome deeds which are performed through the words and can be referred to as verbal dishonesty and include:
(1) Musavada: To intentionally practice false speech such as lying, words designed todeceive or take advantage of others, etc.
(2) Pisunavaca: To intentionally practice divisive speech or words which cause division among people. They include sarcastic words, insulting words, gossip, etc. They also include words which are used to quarrel with each other.
(3) Pharusavaca: To intentionally practice offensive language and include swear words, words which sting, embarrass, and anger others.
(4) Samphapppalapa: To intentionally practice nonsensical speech or words which are uttered at the wrong time, words which are meant to tease one another, words which are unbeneficial, words which are unjust, words which lack concrete evidence, etc.
* Mental Deeds: These are unwholesome thoughts and can be referred to as mental dishonesty and include:
(1) Abhijjha: Covetousness.
(2) Byapada: Thinking about harming or exploiting others.
(3) Micchaditthi: Having 'Wrong View.'
