Kamma is a Pali word meaning action. Specifically volitional action, a choice or decision made by your own will. It is also known as Karma in Sanskrit. I will be using the spelling in Pali.
Kamma is not a mystical word and doesn't concern forces outside of ourselves. Kamma isn't something directed or controlled by a god or deity. It is, quite only, our intentional actions. Kamma is about what we choose to do. It is not about the subconscious and involuntary actions. It is only about volitional actions.
Where is kamma born?
Where does it come from? Kamma is generated from our minds. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha said, "The mind is the forerunner of all things. Act or speak with a defiled state of mind, and suffering will follow. As surely, the cartwheel follows the foot of the ox."
That is a statement about our kamma and our volitional action.
What are the aspects of kamma?
We have three foundational aspects; mental, physical, and verbal.
As you can probably surmise, the physical and verbal originate from the mind. Physical acts that are not wholesome contribute to bad kamma. For example, fighting, physical abuse, sexual misconduct, and even a tap on the back might be done from a not so pure reason. These are physical manifestations stemming from the poor mental judgment. It is the unwholesome state of mind that causes the physical actions that have bad kammic results.
Speech produces kamma. We have harsh speech and malicious speech that also contribute to bad kammic results. From the Mangala sutta, the Buddha expounds on various blessings or wholesome things in life. He says that whatever utterance is well-spoken, this is the blessing supreme. Speech is the easiest way to slip up. How often have we allowed ourselves to speak harshly or carelessly and caused problems?
Most people can control their physical. I find the speech is effortless to transgress with all the texting and emailing in our modern culture. The wrong word and tone can slip out and hurt or offend easily.
What kind of kamma are we generating with our verbal and physical actions?
Finally, there is the mental aspect, which is the root of the three.
What thoughts exist, and what kamma are we making now?
When we don't agree with someone, what is our first thought? Is it malicious? Is it demeaning? Is it inappropriate or offensive?
We can't always fully see the repercussions of our kamma. If we can see clearly within our minds, maybe we would be more chaste with our actions.
Actions have results. It isn't any kind of revelation or a new lesson. We learn from early on that actions have consequences. We become so engrossed in our happiness and wellbeing that we tend to let our actions become a source of suffering for others, and in turn, ourselves.
Kamma Control
It is through the repeated reflection of our actions that we can cultivate skillful behavior and reduce bad kamma. There are chances when we can gain wisdom from and gain skillful knowledge. Before you perform some action, you should consider if it is wholesome or conducive to the suffering of yourself or others. While performing actions, we should think about whether it is wholesome or leads to the plight of yourself or others. Hafter performing some action, we should reflect on it and think about its effects as well.
There are three primary roots that are causing the bad kamma to grow; avijja- ignorance, not understanding the truth: tanha- which is greed or desire: virodha- which is anger and hatred.
Ignorance, craving, and anger are the three seeds. They are the fundamental elements we much try to root out. Like weeds in the garden, they must be eradicated. This is a long process. It doesn't happen overnight. It requires a lot of diligent work. We are the masters of our kamma. Everyone has their own kamma. We cant change someone's own kamma.
We must focus on ourselves and contemplate the three opportunities when they present themselves.
We should never wish someone to experience bad kamma etc.
Wishing for that is part of the seed of anger.
We must purify our acts of body, speech, and mind. The goal is to be the best we can. It is not about being perfect or saintly. It is, however, about trying.
Conditions that would bring you better kamma would be generosity,
loving-kindness and wisdom.
These are antidotes that will help.
Remember, kamma is not a mystical force. It has nothing to do with gods or past lives. What you think of as bad luck, a crappy childhood, string of bad dates, jerky manager at work, they can not be ascribed to kamma.
Kamma is something you can control. Look at how your mind works. Attend to your mind before, during, and after. Is it peaceful and friendly or filled with hatred or narrow mindedness? We need more loving-kindness and wisdom. We should, as martial artists, try to understand ourselves and each other better. Governing our thinking, speech, and physical actions are paramount.
ラジカスキー真照
館長Saneteru Radzikowski is the head sword instructor of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. He lives and teaches Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu from Nara, Japan.
7 Year Anniversary of Online and In-person Sword Learning
Today marks a significant milestone in our journey — the 7th Anniversary of Shinkan-ryu Kenpo!...
When Protectors Become Perpetrators: Martial Arts Community Failures
Recently, a martial arts instructor (Budo Teacher) faced defamatory accusations in a public forum. A...
6 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
Last week marked the 6th year of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. I want to thank the faithful...
A Lesson Of The Brush & Budō
Today during shodo practice I wrote this. Our minds as the top of...
The Warrior Paradox
The True Spirit of Martial Arts: Beyond the Skilled Sword In the world of Japanese...
Cómo aprender Kenjutsu?
Aprender cualquier cosa tan profunda como un arte marcial requiere de un maestro. El kenjutsu,...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
Katate Tsuki-One handed Thrust Iaijutsu
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3"...
The Samurai and unwavering loyalty
The Samurai have been portrayed in popular culture as noble and faithful warriors who strictly...
What Does Iaido & Iaijutsu Mean?
Iaijutsu and iaido are components of kenjutsu 剣術, the arts of the sword. Iaijutsu, iaido...
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
Happy New Year
From all of us at Shinkan-ryū Kenpō to you, Have a wonderful New Year Celebration....
Duping The Gaijin – Martial Arts Fraud
Some Japanese schools or individuals wish to capitalize on the ignorance of non-Japanese martial artists...
Samurai F.A.Q
Are samurai still trained in Japan? Are there samurai schools? The short answer is, No.Samurai...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
The Point of Iaido & Tame
Pardon the pun, but the point of iaido is important to keep. When we practice...
How To Avoid Training Pitfalls In Martial Arts
Beware The Rabbit Holes. I want to talk about some pitfalls of martial arts training....
Components of Iaido Iaijutsu
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center...
What is true budo?
Studying the arts of fighting leads to peace. The pursuit of martial arts has one...
You With Sword In Hand, Calm Yourself
The mental issues involved with subscribing to someone you dislike, hate, have anger towards, desire...
Learn Sword Online: Budo Video
Learning Japanese sword online is possible. https://player.vimeo.com/video/276710823
Bujutsu Centering
When practicing bujutsu we should always work on being centered. For non-practitioners, it is also...
Playing With Sharp Swords
I have been saying it’s important to get training for using a sharp sword or...
6 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
Last week marked the 6th year of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. I want to thank the faithful...
Is Compassion Important In Martial Arts?
What is compassion? Compassion is a concern for the suffering or problems of others. The...
Duping The Gaijin – Martial Arts Fraud
Some Japanese schools or individuals wish to capitalize on the ignorance of non-Japanese martial artists...
Teaching yourself Iaido and Swordsmanship
The Challenges of Self-Learning Swordsmanship In martial arts, particularly in the study of swordsmanship, a...
Ranks, Respect, and Reverberations: Navigating Today’s Martial World
In the hallowed path of martial arts, the journey has always been as significant, if...
Martial Arts Breathing
The spirit of the sword is the breath. Breathing Physiology What’s so crucial about martial...
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
Learning Koryū Kenjutsu & Iaijutsu Traditionally
Secrets of Swordsmanship: In-yō. Ying & Yang
I wanted to talk about IN-YŌ 陰陽, or more commonly known as yin & yang....
I Am A Lazy Martial Artist
There is a saying, “You get out of it what you put into it.” It...
A Disease of the Swordsman
The Sword and its study. Hesitation (doubt) is one of the four diseases in swordsmanship....
death budo
What have you been distracting yourself with while death is around the corner? Time is...
Greed And Martial Arts
We must endeavor to cultivate generosity while looking at the roots of our greed. Removing...
The Mind According to Saito Yakuro of Shintō Munen Ryū 斎藤弥九郎神道無念流
「武は戈を止むるの義なれば少しも争心あるべからず」斎藤弥九郎神道無念流練兵館 斎藤弥九郎 Saito Yakuro, Shindō Munen Ryu instructor of the famous Renpeikan in Edo once...
Speed, Martial Arts and Samurai Theater
What’s the difference between bugei 武芸 (martial arts) demonstrations and stunts? People are awed by...
Happy Setsubun
鬼は外! 福は内! In our house we dont use beans to chase out the demons, we...
Katate Tsuki-One handed Thrust Iaijutsu
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3"...
What Is A Good Senpai In Budō?
I have discussed teachers and students within martial arts. The senpai-kohai relationship is just as...
Rei – 礼 – Gratitude In Budo Training Life
Gratitude for our swords and training equipment, and those that made them. To our teachers...
Tachi Iai & Suwari Iai Demonstrations
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center...
Maai; Combative Space-timing
Teaching maai 間合い, the ideas of combative spacing and timing intervals in kenjutsu.