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> are written off as a result of dharma Dhamma is generally understood as teaching or nature. Kamma, (often mixed up with karma, a Hindu notion that is close i

> are written off as a result of dharma Dhamma is generally understood as teaching or nature. Kamma, (often mixed up with karma, a Hindu notion that is close in some aspects, but really not the same) is, in simple terms, cause and effect with respect to an individual. All injustices are a result of cause and effect (at least, I hope you think so) but where I will agree is that it shouldn't be the basis for doing nothing - unless doing nothing is the best choice, and knowing that is the trick, isn't it, Buddhist insight or not. > Buddhism just abstracts reality into something slightly more palatable that doesn't require as much action on your part. I can't say that's a good summation of what Buddhism is or does, it might be best to get the basics right (the terms above are a good indication) and then move on to telling others what you think a system is for, or its impact on society… I don't remember Buddha promising a societal utopia but perhaps my memory is deceiving me.

cjg 5y ago
Minor nitpick - kamma and karma are the same thing, but different languages. Kamma is Pali and karma is Sanskrit. To be even more detailed, karma is the action rather than the effect, which is called karma vipaka. The English word karma means something more fluid - depending on context.
- brigandish 5y ago
  Thanks, I do know but in general English speakers use the word karma and then ascribe the Hindu reading to Buddhism, so I was answering that. As to the cause and effect part, again, I wasn't about to start on a "there are no causes and no effects, only conditions…" path as it would only muddy the water for the person I'm responding to, but I don't mind the nitpicking, it's a good point and glad to see reasonable challenges in the comments. Edit, I didn't mean to put this all on the English!
ttonkytonk 5y ago
Injustice seems like something relative to particular frames of reference. I've noticed when I know the reason for something my anger subsides. I'm not necessarily arguing that judgements aren't valid, just that they depend on particular frames of reference.

cjg 5y ago

Minor nitpick - kamma and karma are the same thing, but different languages. Kamma is Pali and karma is Sanskrit. To be even more detailed, karma is the action rather than the effect, which is called karma vipaka. The English word karma means something more fluid - depending on context.

brigandish 5y ago
Thanks, I do know but in general English speakers use the word karma and then ascribe the Hindu reading to Buddhism, so I was answering that. As to the cause and effect part, again, I wasn't about to start on a "there are no causes and no effects, only conditions…" path as it would only muddy the water for the person I'm responding to, but I don't mind the nitpicking, it's a good point and glad to see reasonable challenges in the comments. Edit, I didn't mean to put this all on the English!

ttonkytonk 5y ago

Injustice seems like something relative to particular frames of reference. I've noticed when I know the reason for something my anger subsides. I'm not necessarily arguing that judgements aren't valid, just that they depend on particular frames of reference.