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.
Bushido Chūgi The code of Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the shining points in any list about the virtues important to...
Budō Practice & Sacrifice
[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...
Practice. Time Is Fleeting
In #budo as well as life, in general, we should avoid wasting time. We need...
When Protectors Become Perpetrators: Martial Arts Community Failures
Recently, a martial arts instructor (Budo Teacher) faced defamatory accusations in a public forum. A...
Shu-ha-ri Budo Learning
Jealous Martial Artists
Martial artists should be aware of what can live in the shadow of righteousness; jealousy...
Budo Thoughts: Practice is life.
Practice is life. Life is practice. Enjoy them together. Enjoying morning keiko outdoors. The smell...
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
Maai Combative Spacing
Maai 間合い Combative spacing or maai is important to investigate early on and come to...
Reflections on 31 Years of Martial Arts and 8 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
不動心 (Fudōshin) – The Immovable Mind As I mark 31 years of practicing martial arts...
The End of Training & Boredom In Martial Arts
Budō Is Limitless When does training end? When do we become a master? The short...
Pain & Training In The Martial Arts
Pain & Training Pain is a universal dilemma. Especially for those in sports or martial...
You With Sword In Hand, Calm Yourself
The mental issues involved with subscribing to someone you dislike, hate, have anger towards, desire...
Waza: Quality or Quantity?
Waza Waza Everywhere In our respective martial arts systems, we learn many waza 技 (techniques)....
How To Avoid Training Pitfalls In Martial Arts
Beware The Rabbit Holes. I want to talk about some pitfalls of martial arts training....
What does Budō mean?
I’d like to discuss briefly discuss what Budo or Bujutsu means. I’m not a scholar...
Bujutsu Truth
Be honest. Move with the truth and discard the lies and false facades. Leave them...
Respect is a two way street in martial arts
Respect is a two-way street, however, how many people are driving recklessly? “If you want...
Speed, Martial Arts and Samurai Theater
What’s the difference between bugei 武芸 (martial arts) demonstrations and stunts? People are awed by...
The Sword of Kamma
Within Shinkan-ryū are teachings to being responsible for our actions. Admitting fault of miss-actions or...
Code of Bushido Righteous Heart
Being righteous and doing the right thing is one of the foundations of body and...
Iaijutsu Iaido Sword Timing Lesson
Timing while training alone is an important aspect to keep alive and well in the...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
What is true budo?
Studying the arts of fighting leads to peace. The pursuit of martial arts has one...
Keishi ryu Iaijutsu
In 1888 the Tokyo Metropolitan Police department decided to cull various ryu-ha together to form...
Waza: Quality or Quantity?
Waza Waza Everywhere In our respective martial arts systems, we learn many waza 技 (techniques)....
Happy New Year
From all of us at Shinkan-ryū Kenpō to you, Have a wonderful New Year Celebration....
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
Unleash the Potential of Your Iaido Success
We’re diving deep into the art and discipline of Iaido, a journey that goes far...
True Budo Proper Conduct
True budo, real budo, is about being your authentic and true self. Those of us...
Making Excuses In Martial Arts
In the dojo, when I hear a student offer excuses to a teacher, I can...
Greed And Martial Arts
We must endeavor to cultivate generosity while looking at the roots of our greed. Removing...
Munen Muso And Mushin The Warriors Mind
What is the difference between munen and mushin? These concepts outline the ideal mental state...
What Value Is In Martial Arts Training?
Someone asked, “What value is there in martial arts training?” I reflected, what do I...
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...
The Martial Arts Heart
Budo values reflection and compassion. When these are not present it is hard to develop...
Sword Grip Tenouchi Iaido Video
This video describes basic hand grips (tenouchi) for using a katana (Japanese sword).
How to learn kenjutsu?
How to learn kenjutsu? Learning anything as profound as a martial art needs a teacher....
Study The Self. Learn The Sword
Learn the sword or budo and learn of yourself. Learn about yourself to learn budo....
death budo
What have you been distracting yourself with while death is around the corner? Time is...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...