The Complex Mechanism by which
Kamma Gives Its Consequences
The law of Kamma is complex and cannot be understood by mere observation and consideration or conjecture. The Lord Buddha taught that the Law of Kamma is unthinkable and is beyond human understanding.
In Mahakammavibhanga Sutta the Lord Buddha explained the types of Kamma, the possessors of the Kamma, and the consequences of the Kamma as follows:
1. An individual that kills, steals, etc., is reborn in the States of Loss and Woe, in the States of Unhappiness, in the Place of Suffering, in the Hell Realm because he/she had performed bad Kamma of which consequences is suffering during the past existences or he/she has 'Wrong View' at the time of death.
2. An individual that kills, steals, etc., is reborn in the States of Happiness, the Celestial Realm because he/she had performed good Kamma of which consequences is happiness during the past existences or he/she has 'Right View' at the time of death.
3. An individual that abstains from killing, stealing, etc., is reborn in the States of Happiness, the Celestial Realm because he/she had performed good Kamma of which consequences is happiness during the past existences or he/she has 'Right View' at the time of death.
4. An individual that abstains from killing, stealing, etc., is reborn in the States of Loss and Woe, in the States of Unhappiness, in the Place of Suffering, in the Hell Realm because he/she had performed bad Kamma of which consequences is suffering during the past existences or he/she has 'Wrong View' at the time of death.
Kamma gave definite consequences but it could not always be said that when good Kamma had been performed then one would be destined for the States of Happiness; or that when bad Kamma had been performed then one would be destined for the States of Unhappiness. There are other factors that come into play such as good or bad Kamma that had been performed in the past existences; good or bad Kamma that are performed in the present; whether at the time of death, one has 'Right or Wrong View.'
