Kamma without Belief | by Ajahn Brahm | 06 January 2012

[@jackgoldman1]

After cancer I had depression. Only Buddhism gave me peace. I followed my bliss for years. It took me to the edge of the Universe behind my eyes. I came back to Earth to love and be loved with heart ache. No one loved me back like I loved them. They can't. I found peace in thankfulness. I control thankfulness. No one can take away my thankfulness for all I have, positive, and thankful. This year is 20 years of remission. I am thankful for all I have.

[@siddharthamason]

I can empathize. I tried to "get it" for 21 yrs. Then I got cancer, then I was grateful for the Dharma. That was 16 yrs ago, and the Dharma has sustained me. Congratulations on finding your Dharma, and having the years of "peace and thankfulness".

[@TonyPrower]

I have listened to Ajahn Brahm for hours upon hours and some of it is starting to stick. Thank you so much teacher!

[@1baddadd]

this could not have come at a better time for me. spent the last 24 hrs in a dark funk, thinking "Why me?". nothing i tried could bring me out of it. a few moments with Ajahn Brahm is all it took to make me 'all smiles' again. exactly what i needed to hear today.

[@gleb202]

This man is a true Boddhisattva. He is full of compassion and loving kindness. Though I come from Mahayana tradition, I find his talks so deep touching and inspirating and I learn so much from him. I bow 3 times to the ground infront of this great Master. May every sentient being be happy!

[@mableng]

I listened to this talk twice, it is so meaningful. Thank you Ajahn Brahm.

[@natashasmith3161]

I love these talks I watch one everyday

[@theinzwin]

i love this talk so very much. Now is where we make our future. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

[@guyneo]

He is so courageous to allow live-stream. Thank you for another wonderful and useful talk. One of the most insightful and impactful statement [personally], even when I tried my best, the outcome can still screw up. And that's not my fault. However, most of the time, when somethings turned bad, I feel guilty. I will bear in mind that powerful concept. I will try my best to give myself a break when things screw up. Thank you very much.

[@chicagoman58]

Ajahn Brahm is the best Buddhist teacher.

[@noahwhalen3398]

Thank you for your wisdom Ajahn 🙏

[@ElaineLeung_NSL]

Thank you so much Ajahn Brahm, I can learn so much from you.

[@crystalheart9]

More dung to grow your garden of life. His talks always lift me up:)))))))))) Thanks so much for uploading.

[@ladyphilosophy9628]

High beings have just got love and compassion. Love and compassion forgives.

[@catwolfbell]

I always enjoy listening to Ajahn Brahm. :)

[@123chandimal]

u r service is unique ajan Brahm

[@theinzwin]

Thank you Ajahn Brahm

[@usitha]

Ajahn Brahm is my role model :)

[@h.audreytrinidad6238]

Just listening to Ajahn Brahm's jokes will calm your spirit.

[@utubemusic7890]

May you have many more happy years in this precious human rebirth dear Jack, Bless You xxxxx

[@titannick]

Yes! - I did notice competing with cars. The origin was haste. Eager to get the driving over with. Now I have found many ways to enjoy driving: 1: enjoying driving itself ,the landscape, the clouds.. 2: enjoying giving other the opportunity to enjoy driving as well by letting them pass onto my lane without trouble, 3: anticipating traffic to such an extent I know I will be preventing those behind me from needing to break at all, when those in front do. Driving has become meditative instead.

[@justpickin4me]

amazing! you are a wonderful person and many years of remission and loving kindness i hope for you!

[@JamesRivera-321]

THQANKS BROTHER, I REALLY LIKE YOU .. ALWAYS DID, FUNNY YOU ARE MATE@ BLESS YOU .. JAMES

[@justpickin4me]

i love all his talks! he gets his point and moral stories across in a easy to understand and "light" manner. i love him! the reason i replied to your comment is the simple everyday language...what is "ki jaya"?

[@muzietto]

Brilliant, enlightening! Sadhu sadhu sadhu!

[@Kirpa001]

Thank you so much Ajahn brahm soon will meet u

[@MMeyer945]

you ar super eres fantastico la manera que esplicas el Darma para todos

[@francoaustralien]

sadhu sadhu sadhu -- thank you for the talk, bhanté

[@chloeprunty1046]

Well ... it makes sense that if there is no self but there's an egoic personality taking credit, engages in blame and praise then... when bad things happen, they happen 'to someone.' Things just happen. Just not to a person - only if you think you are the doer, then... it happens to you - and that's the result of there being a doer!!! That's all. Also, the price to pay for desire for life, in a way, is to accept any and all possible conditions as may arise as a result of clinging and craving, which are the hallmarks of desire. Therefore, there is no point in complaining when things happen - it's the back end of doing and acting on behalf of want, need, greed, avarice, envy and desire. Also, if karma were reliable and dependable and consistent, it would have been needless of Buddha to derive Dhamma. therefore, kamma is NOT something other than dukkha, anicca and anatta. And one does NOT get the fruit of one's labor necessarily but what one always gets is the desire to repeat the same habits!!! And the quality of mind that is furthered by involvement in mental actions and physical movements!!! The result is those - and if anyone wants praise and acts to achieve it, that's not the aim of kamma or else Buddha would have taught, "Seek praise and heed blame." He didn't.

[@Mathadosius]

I LOVE AJAHN BRAHM SO MUCH! xDDDDDDDDDD ♥ ♥ ♥

[@Indianatheistblore]

what a beautiful talk.

[@lordbyron3603]

20 years ago, my mom was struck by a car breaking her ankle in three places. I remember the pain and suffering she endured that day. Why did it happen to her? Was it karma? Was it the choices she had made that day? She’s gone now, but the memory of the accident still brings pain in my heart. I guess the real question and issue here is why am I holding this pain after twenty years?

[@tharakadamsarademattanpiti4012]

Its so great .Thanks a lot .

[@storyboy989]

I think the talk was designed to speak to those who cannot grasp kamma in the traditional Buddhist sense like you described. This explanation is like the easy instant kamma that everyone can clearly see. I don't think he rejects the metaphysical at all just understands that not everyone is at that level of understanding.

[@brianallan1483]

Friday night was the first time he went out in 20 years, i am trying to better myself and dad is too shy to realise that, i want to keep the peace when i go over there, because i am a true buddhist

[@PuggiTheGreat]

Thanks for Ajahn.

[@justpickin4me]

thank you, new to actually trying hard to practice...

[@georgiegirlize]

That was the 'get out of jail free card'. Did you take it? Wow, just incredible!!... so much depth, so much perception, behind the simple everyday language. I've been digging in that garden for a while.....Ajahn Brahm ki jaya!

[@YAUPriyadarshanaPriyadarshana]

Thanks, Ven Ajan

[@sparkblessedbe]

Karma itself is neither negative nor positive. It's neutral in nature. It's sad that many people focus on the negative manifestation, the "punishment". Having good health, wealth, good living environment etc, and able to hear the teachings of the Dharma is also from our karma! The take away from this session is don't dwell on the past that we can't change. Instead, learn from the past, accumulate true wisdom, seize the moment and take action to facilitate good karma. Be content and be happy.

[@maggiecatlin762]

Love it....

[@SonofSethoitae]

Also, saddhu Bhante, your talks really help.

[@7cTube]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@sutteet2495]

Thanks Ajahn

[@brianallan1483]

i learnt from this talk that, sure my family might mean welll, but they understand shit about me, because to them I was too shy for them, but i was a real cool dude and i had fun in everything i did, and all they cared about is pushing me with the families and mate i don't do families, i do fun and being cool, sure i did things with my brother but it was mostly pity, and i want him to have fun and not worry about me, because i was having problems and the last thing i need is to create more

[@brittyasmine7865]

Thank you so much I've always felt it was nuts to preach things like " when people get cancer it is Thier own fault " or even that getting the flu or IBS is someone's fault. It's cruel and medicine is okay sometimes to preach or suggest anything else is just absolutely unkind , unfair and wrong in my opinion. There are reasons people do what they do or feel like they have been backed into a corner and can't get out without using medicine or medical care. It's abusive to deny it

[@TheShaneLockwood]

@eddtheduck79 To a certain extent. I think the idea is to investigate what it is that you enjoy about hockey? Is it the violence? Is it the skill of the players?

[@zenmonk3]

practice keeping your focus on the moment your in only... an practice being happy an you will get good at it.

[@bachnhutduong6861]

🙏🙏🙏

[@roymarshall_]

Great talk!

[@MysticOfTheSands]

@TerrierBram True, but you can only deal with it by DOING something instead of being angry at it. Find a dung heap and try yeling at it to get out of your way. Will it move?

[@AnattaAnattata]

Sadhu!🙏🙏🙏

[@mableng]

Thank you

[@riteshshaw8582]

Sadhu Sadhu Saaadhuuu ❤

[@mayhemsci]

can i suggest that there is no need to keep zooming in and out the camera. or worse, panning left and right.

[@SomePeon]

please do N O T shorten speech limit to fit 45 minute tv schedule. people join to watch and listen, they do not just zap by. thanks

[@isabelkassan5244]

Thank you!

[@ROGERWDARCY]

Will slander of others cause self respect but karma is true!

[@storyboy989]

I don't think he is asking you to do that. He's just explaining in another way. This definition of kamma still fits within the traditional view.

[@laochek]

I have a question that bugs me. I think what Ajahn Brahm said is very true. Those who do Bad, yest in their mind they feel so at peace and "happy", so they will never get bad kamma? That's y we see them prosper and get richer oppressing the poor?

[@denormal9580]

The Buddhist idea of karma is something that goes beyond our current life and is unpredictable. For example, if you do something which creates bad karma now, the effects may be seen many lifetimes later. In Buddhism, the only ones who can see how karma truly works is a fully awakened one, one who has seen their past lives and karma, a Buddha. However, the Buddha also implied that actions have consequences, and i take that to mean that if you put your hand in the fire (break precepts), it will burn you. The effects of unskillful behaviour are self-evident, but the Buddha also said that they have moral consequences which follow us in future lives. Although, why do people do things which go against the precepts but seem to directly benefit? I don't have an answer for that, and i suspect that a moralistic view of karma is a useful thing to explain the unfairness of life. I don't know if that view is true or not, but since the Buddha said we should not just believe, we should tread the path ourselves and investigate, perhaps we should just take it as a working hypothesis. At the very least, a person who follows the path of Buddhism is more likely to have a peaceful and good life, one which they can really be proud of.

[@123chandimal]

Ajan Brahm please build a meditation center in Sri Lanka :)

[@suryaprakashdubey512]

We are weaving our selves. ...If one could see it. ...relentlessly

[@JuicyLeek]

I cannot shake the concept that the reason we are suffering is because of negative Kamma accumulated in past existences. Every thought or action committed will be reciprocated in equal measure in the future -- isn't that the concept that rebirth in Buddhism is based on? If not, I would like some references to the suttas in which the Buddha clearly suggests that Kamma is not "you reap what you sow".

[@eddtheduck79]

I consider myself a Buddhist but I am also an ice hockey fan does this go against buddhist beliefs due to the sport being fairly full body cantact(violent)? I am conflicted can one be a buddhist and a hockey fan ?

[@oranjjjggg]

@eddtheduck79 i would say sure you can. Violence isnt buddhist, but buddhism is here to help people become happier. To say you can't be buddhist if you watch violent sports seems silly to me.

[@SonofSethoitae]

I really doubt higher beings would punish people, but not for the same reason as V. Ajahn Brahm. For me, it seems unlikely mostly because they wouldn't be interested, for the most part. They can do anything in the universe, there are millions of other, more fulfilling things they could be doing other than tormenting lower beings. Especially when they're already tormenting themselves just fine. Mara really only attacked the Buddha because that was all of which he was capable.

[@HazeyWolf1337]

So reject the idea of metaphysical system of "kamma" (karma); what about the related concepts of reincarnation & a transcendental mind-stream of individuated consciousness which retains karmic-seeds & emotional attachments? The notion of cause and effect & dependent origination/co-depentent arising is straight forward. The doctrine of "no-self" is too, except that the "self" may also be conceived of as an epiphenomena of biology that doesn't depend on or arise from prior "consciousness?...

[@georgiegirlize]

HI there, Ki Jaya, means 'all glories!'... it's a basically hindu term....

[@suredoloveya]

the cameraperson is a comic genius

[@SoushiTyphon]

They are assistant monks, they sit and listen.

[@mikee5364]

actually hes right though probably not worded well when Women with breast cancer and depression are at higher risk of cancer recurrence and early death than breast cancer patients without depression, recent research shows. Now, Stanford University School of Medicine

[@martamocanu9116]

💕

[@kherux]

Who are the two young men sitting with him?

[@brianallan1483]

You see i pooed my pants when i was young, and that was dads fault because he wanted to read the paper on the toilet, and i said can use it first, he said, no you wait your not an adult, and everyone in my family made me feel like they wanted to keep me away from being a cool adult, even though dad is the shyest adult i have ever met, not that there is anything wrong with that, i respect him for it, but he is the one who is shy, he should tease if he wants to tease rather than be an shy adult

[@Mathadosius]

LOL @ the monk on the left (Ajahn Brahm's right) SLEEPING XD

[@n0t0ny0urnellie]

What's with the camera person?

[@GraziaNachmias12345]

escuse me, what does kamma mean ?

[@brianallan1483]

You see they want me to be shy so they can hang around just to say your funs over, and they want to take the cool out of me, but again i don't do family, i am a loner, and i am fine with it, i like to have fun and be cool but my family want me to be sofistcated and mature, but i feel they want that, because they want to tease me, i can handle being teased, but they want to say, your funs over, i am still the cool one but i have to get on with my life

[@martamocanu9116]

👏

[@1001orpheus]

Oh, the two of you...

[@steevo211]

What if I don't have a candle and the only way to light one is to bitch until somone gives me theirs? They can give me some matches too by the way!

[@Greyeaster]

In Poland we`ve got only Kwam Um Zen and Tibetan Karma Kagyu. I wish we had Thai Forest Theravada tradition too...

[@TheWinners725]

I except human beings who they are I don't judge anyone

[@storyboy989]

Kamma (Pali) is the same word as Karma (Sanskrit). But other than that he basically just explained it the entire time. lol

[@MysticOfTheSands]

@eddtheduck79 Yes, if you enjoy the sport, not the pain. after all, it's not a massacre now is it? Now gladiators, that's different.

[@tbalsillie]

@MysticOfTheSands But it's your fear that is stopping.

[@kherux]

Okay, so sickness is normal. But in other videos he's said that having a happy, positive attitude can protect you against cancer. The guy comes across as being a bit of a fool, to be honest.

[@Bakmoon]

I think you may be over thinking it a bit : )

[@MysticOfTheSands]

@MysticOfTheSands But I fear the PLAYERS get to wound up in it though...

[@zoros3112]

sadhu sadhu sadhu

[@justpickin4me]

your born a Lama arent you in the Tibetan tradition?

[@brianallan1483]

and when i became an adult, i wanted to be cool and my father tried his best, but he still finds it hard to understand that i have problems with understanding, he just wants to tease the dick, anyway, my brother is still wanting to treat me like an old fogie and his father like a young dude and dad plays with him like two young dudes, if dad really wanted to help, he would stop treating me like a person who should never make mistakes and start living,

[@kuemilcha]

@123chandimal and one in switzerland

[@Jenn119844]

@ademafreak1 me 2 LOL!

[@JuicyLeek]

Nah, they follow different schools of Buddhism.

[@Jaredthedude1]

I bet that helps, lol

[@Jaredthedude1]

hahaha

[@1001orpheus]

LOL.

[@kherux]

Like I give a shit.

[@TerrierBram]

There can be too much shit in the garden though.