An analytical study of Kamma in The Mahakamma Vibhanga Sutta

Abstract

         This research article has 3 objectives: 1) to study the principles of karma in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study the process of Kamma in the Mahakammavibhanga Sutta, and 3) to analyze Kamma in the Mahakammavibhanga Sutta. This research is a qualitative research by researching documents research.

The research results found that: The principles of Kamma in Theravada Buddhism have 4 categories, 4 items each, totaling 16 items. These 16 principles of Kamma can be summarized into 4 types: 1) black Kamma has black results, 2) white Kamma has white results, 3) both black and white karma has both black and white results, 4) neither black nor white karma has neither black nor white results. The process of Kamma in the   Mahakammavibhanga Sutta has intention as a factor, there are the roots of Kusalamula and Akusalamula  through actions of the body, speech, and mind. The process of experiencing the results will involve 3 types of feeling: happiness feeling, suffering feeling, and neutral feeling. Kamma has complex results, namely, Kamma that interferes with the giving of results. There is Karma that should be shown as appropriate, Kamma that should be shown as inappropriate, Kamma that should not be shown as inappropriate, and Kamma that should not be shown as appropriate. In fact, the process of Kamma always has a consistent cause and effect. Therefore, the saying that doing evil brings good, doing good brings evil does not exist because the results always give results in line with Kamma. As the Buddha said, “Whatever a person sows, that is what he will reap. Those who do good Kamma, will receive good results, those who do evil karma, will receive evil results”.