Question: How is the mind the originator of external rupa?
1. This is a complex subject and needs some background in basic teachings of the Buddha about kamma.
- Kamma means not just any action, but ‘an action done with a defiled mind.’ A defiled mind is one that harbors raga (greed), dosa (anger), or moha (ignorance of the Buddha’s teachings).
- A kamma can be done with physical action (kaya kamma), speech (vaci kamma), or thoughts (mano kamma). In fact, one does kaya and vaci kamma also based on mano kamma. Also see, “Ten Immoral Actions (Dasa Akusala)“
- Such a kamma generates kammic energy. Some of that energy is spent on speech and actions. But a significant part of that energy is stored in “vinnana dhatu.” The collective kammic energy of all living beings leads to the arising of the external world. One’s own kammic energy can bring future rebirths for oneself.
- That is an extremely summarized version of a complex subject.
2. I suggest reading posts in the following sections to build up on those ideas: “Living Dhamma” and “Moral Living and Fundamentals”
- It is a good idea to scan the post lists and read topics that seem interesting first.
- It will take some time to grasp these concepts, especially if one has not been exposed to Buddha’s teachings.