The Analysis of Practices for the End of Karma According to Theravada Buddhism

Abstract

This research article aims at 2 objectives: 1) to study Kamma in Theravada Buddhist scriptures and 2) to study how to practice for the cessation of Kamma according to Theravada Buddhist teaching. This research was documentary research by studying data from Theravada Buddhist scriptures and related documents by organizing, analyzing, summarizing and describing the data. The research results showed that Kamma is divided into 3 types and 12 kinds: 1) Classifying the results, namely Janakakamma or action leading to rebirth; Upatthambhakakamma or supporting actions; Upapīlakakamma or resulting actions; and Upaghātakakamma or cutting off actions. 2) Classifying the order of result giving, namely Garukamma or actions resulting first; Pahulakamma or accustomed actions; Āsannakamma or nearly death actions; and Katattākamma or fruitless actions. 3) Classifying the time of giving results, namely Ditthadhamma-vedaniyakamma or actions resulting in the present; Uppajjavedanīyakamma or actions resulting in next life; Aparāpariyavedyaniyakamma or actions resulting in after next life; and Ahosikamma or actions ceasing the results. The practice for the end of Kamma according to Theravada Buddhism refers to Vipassana following according to the Noble Eightfold Path summarized into the Tisikkhā teaching as follows: 1) Adhisīlasikkhā or morality training, including right speech, no lies, not harshly speaking, not rudely speaking, right actions including not killing animals, not stealing, and right livelihood including not engaging in immoral works. 2) Adhicittasikkhā or mind training including right effort, not abandoning evil, developing moral deeds, right mindfulness including observing the body, feelings, mind, and thought, and right concentration including developing meditation to calm the mind. 3) Adhipaññāsikkhā or wisdom training for realizing the truth, including right view including not knowing the Four Noble Truths, and right thought including thinking to abandon lust, not being vengeful, not harming.