How Should a Non-Believer in the Law of Kamma Conduct His/Her Life?
For individuals who do not subscribe to any religion, which include those that disbelieve in the Law of Kamma, the Lord Buddha gave concrete instructions for how they should live their lives. These Teachings were recorded in the 'Apannaka Sutta. Here, relevant teachings of this Sutta which will enable the student to understand the way non-believers in the Law of Kamma should conduct their lives. The student can then act as a virtuous friend to these people and help them to live a happy life in the present and to have a safe journey in the round of rebirth.
For this purpose, only one example will be given here. For a more in-depth study on the teaching, the student should consult the 'Apannaka Sutta. On one occasion, the Lord Buddha asked the Brahmins and the wealthy men of Sala City, "Do you have a favorite Master who can inspire you to have faith because his teachings are logical?" The people answered in the negative. Therefore, the Lord Buddha took the opportunity to give the 'Apannaka' sermon where He cited different dogmas as well as the advantages and the harm of each dogma and concluded with the instruction on right conduct. A part of the teaching concerning two groups of Brahmins that have opposing views can be cited as follows:
The 1st Group: These people believe that alms-giving has no consequences, aid-giving has no consequences, revering those who are worthy of our reverence has no consequences, bad Kamma has no consequences, the hereafter does not exist, etc. Members of this group refuse to perform good deeds but commit only misdeeds. They are immoral. They have 'Wrong View,' 'Wrong Thought,' and 'Wrong Speech.' They are enemies of Arahats. For members of this group, the Lord Buddha gave the following advice:
If the hereafter does not exist, after these individuals die, all will be well.
If the hereafter does exist, these individuals will be reborn in the States of Loss and Woe, the States of Happiness, the Place of Suffering, the Hell Realm.
Even if the hereafter does not exist, regardless of whether these individuals' view is right or wrong, they will still be condemned here and now for their conduct.
If the hereafter does exist, these individuals will receive two forms of punishment:
1) They will be condemned in the present for their conduct.
2) They will be reborn in the Hell Realm.
The 2nd Group: These people believe that alms-giving has consequences, aid-giving has consequences, revering those who are worthy of our reverence has consequences, etc. As a result, members of this group abstain from any misdeed but perform only wholesome deeds. They are moral. They have 'Right View,' 'Right Thought,' and 'Right Speech.' They are not enemies of Arahats.
If the hereafter does exist, after they die they will be reborn in the States of Happiness, in the Celestial Realm.
If the hereafter does not exist, regardless of whether these individuals' view is right or wrong, they will most certainly be admired for their conduct in the present.
If the hereafter does exist, they will receive two rewards:
1) They will be admired in the present for their conduct.
2) They will be reborn in the States of Happiness, in the Celestial Realm.
The Lord Buddha taught that the first group of Brahmins had 'Wrong View' whereas the second group had 'Right View.' He also advised wrong-viewed individuals on how to change their view such that they could conduct their lives accordingly. He gave the second group of Brahmins confirmation that their view was correct, and they could confidently continue to follow their dogma.
This teaching can be applied to non-believers in the Law of Kamma or in any religion because it provides them with a guiding principle by which to live their lives. Whether they believe or disbelieve in the reality of this world and the hereafter or the Law of Kamma, they can at least conduct their lives in such a way that they can meet with happiness in the present by not incurring condemnation from other people for their misdeeds. And just in case death is not final and the hereafter does exist, they will not have to endure horrific suffering in the States of Loss and Woe. Therefore, the belief in the Law of Kamma provides only advantages to its believer. It provides the correct roadmap for how to live our lives.
