Are karma and rebirth representative of reality
- Created by: CG24601
- Created on: 07-05-19 19:19
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- “The teachings of karma and rebirth are representative of reality.” Evaluate this view.
- Karma is not representative - the idea that life is driven by ignorance in the chain of dependent origination seems to contradict the idea that humans are becoming wiser as time progresses
- The idea of rebirth is sometimes viewed as a religious fantasy
- Karma is representative
- complex theory, often mistaken
- Sometimes seen as a personal improvement programme; bad incurs punishment and good reward
- Three fires sometimes mistakenly seen as representative of sins that people should avoid rather than psychological drives that are inherent to existence
- three fires are not external vices but internal states to detach from
- ideas of guilt, blame and retribution are examples of self-indulgence and self-pity
- the focus in Buddhism is understanding the principles in operation behind karma in reality and as a universal principle
- The idea of sinfulness is much more representative of reality than any idea of sinfulness, guilt and vindication as these are a matter of perspective
- the focus in Buddhism is understanding the principles in operation behind karma in reality and as a universal principle
- complex theory, often mistaken
- Real-life
- the concepts equip a person to deal with life and cope with the situation within the cycle of existence
- Assist an understanding of the workings of karma and how this relates to the cycle of samsara and rebirth
- The concept of karma is practical as it makes one more aware of the immediate world, drawing attention to the root of activities
- Provides opportunity for people to reflect upon appropriate mental states to develop
- the concepts equip a person to deal with life and cope with the situation within the cycle of existence
- When given religious/ cultural expression
- i.e. bhavachakra
- appears to be a departure from reality rather than to represent
- hell realms, demons, Yama, heavenly realms etc.
- Could be argued that this is something to be interpreted rather than legitimate
- if Buddhist concepts are understood on a superficial level, then they're not really understood at all.
- When explored fully and interpreted meaningfully rather than literally, Buddhist ideas have at least some similarities with reality
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