Buddhism Section 2 The Goals In this section we are going to be examining what it Is that Buddhists are looking to achieve to escape the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and life choices they should avoid.

Kamma (Karma)

We have now finished looking at how Buddhists see humans and human nature. Now we will look at what Buddhists say about what life could be like for us. How much better it could be. The first idea we are going to look is Kamma (Karma). Task Write down three things you have heard about Karma. It can be anything from a description or even explaining where you have heard the word used before

Kamma means action. Kamma is described by Buddha as the law of effects following from causes. It is a natural law, not a moral one. Can effect you in this life – or future rebirths (future lives) Cant be escaped! All actions produce positive/negative karma

Buddhists believe that our consciously chosen actions have consequences: If you behave in a certain way with certain intentions then results will follow. If you behave in a compassionate and beneficial way driven by positive motivations or intentions then the results will be positive too. If you behave in the opposite manner, then your results will be negative. Every intentional deed is like a seed waiting to develop.

The Buddha stressed that we are agents of our own experience The Buddha stressed that we are agents of our own experience. Good actions, which are often described as skilful actions, will lead to good consequences or results. Bad actions, which are often described as unskilful actions, will lead to bad consequences or results.

2012 Past paper Describe the law of Kamma 5KU Explain the benefits that a belief in kamma may bring to Buddhists. 4A/E 3. Explain the difficulties that belief in Kamma may bring to Buddhists. 4A/E

actions;unavoidable chain of cause & effect; intention behind the act makes it good or bad; good actions lead to karmic payback;fuels samsara; effects experienced in this life or the next 2. Heightens awareness of actions and how they affect others Encourages control which leads to better karmic payback/ rebirth Helps them accept suffering and welcome it as a consequence of their own past actions Spreads goodness into society Control of three poisons.

3. Life can seem unjust Concern about constant responsibility for actions Harder for laity Negative belief.

Moralitree We learned during the first part of the course about the 3 Root Poisons. There are also 3 Forms of Good Root (Kusala). These are: Non-attachment Understanding Kindness If you were trying to grow a tree, the poisons would kill it and the good forms would help it to be healthy and as good as it could be.

Moralitree Fighting Activity Draw two pictures of trees. One should be a tree with root poisons and the other should be a healthy tree with the good forms. Label the roots accordingly and then label the leaves and branches according to the possible effects. Hatred