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Ānapānasati Eliminates Mental Stress Permanently
Viññāna, Kamma Bhava, Kamma Bija – Related to Each Other
15. We can see that both “kamma viññāna” and bhava are associated with kammic energy. The easiest way to remember is that kamma bhava is where kammic energy is, and those various types of kammic energies (good and bad) are kamma bija (seeds, pronounced “bīja”) in the kamma bhava. They are waiting to bring kamma vipāka or the results of such kamma.
- When we do good kamma (say donating food to the needy), we also create good kamma bija in the kamma bhava that can bring future “good vipāka” or “good results”.
- Therefore, there are good and bad kamma bija (seeds) waiting in the kamma bhava, to bring in kamma vipāka, so to speak.
- Just like a seed can give rise to a plant, a kamma bija can give rise to a kamma vipāka. A good seed will give rise to a good plant (something useful, say apples or grains), and a bad seed will give rise to a bad plant (weeds).
16. When a kamma bija brings a kamma vipāka to the mind, it leads to a mindset that is compatible with the kamma vipāka; that is a “vipāka viññāna.”
- A “kamma viññāna” can be good too (in a mundane sense), for example, when engaging in a meritorious deed. We first need to get rid of “bad kamma viññāna“. All viññāna are reduced to “pure consciousness” at the Arahant stage. It may take some time to grasp this point.
- Earlier we saw (#8-#13) that kamma viññāna is the “initiator” of a kamma bija that is “deposited” in the kamma bhava. Then that kamma bija will be waiting for the right “conditions” to bring that mindset back to the mind.
- Then that mindset (kamma viññāna) can lead to doing more saṅkhāra (i.e., more kamma) that will, in turn, make that kamma viññāna grow; that will, in turn, lead to strengthening the corresponding kamma bija in the kamma bhava.
- Then a corresponding gati (pronounced “gathi”) is established. It is important to understand what is meant by gati. Then it will be easier to see how different gati (including the “angry gati” of X that we discussed above) are established.
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What are Dhammā? – A Deeper Analysis
19. Finally, dhamma in the nāma lōka are the same as those viññana established in the kamma bhava. This is a subtle point; see “Viññāna Aggregate.”
- Dhamma or viññana are called anidassana, appaṭigha rūpa (rupa that cannot be seen or made contact with), and they are just energies lying below the suddhashtaka stage; see, “Anidassana Viññāṇa – What It Really Means.”
- kamma bhava is the same as the nāma lōka; Dhamma in the nāma lōka are the same as viññana that are established in the kamma bhava.; see “Our Two Worlds : Material and Mental.”
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Q. The statements about kamma vinnana, kamma bija, and kamma bhava appear somewhat differently. Which statement is correct?
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I’m sorry. I should have written more clearly.
Ānapānasati Eliminates Mental Stress Permanently
- kamma viññāna is the “initiator” of a kamma bija that is “deposited” in the kamma bhava.
So, kamma vinnana is the cause of kamma bija.
What are Dhammā? – A Deeper Analysis
- Finally, dhammā in the nāma lōka are the same as those viññana established in the kamma bhava.
However, here, these two are explained as the same.
I think I am having difficulty clearly distinguishing among kamma bhava, kamma vinnana, kamma bija. Could you perhaps explain in more detail the difference among three of them?
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Dosakkhayo wrote: “So, kamma vinnana is the cause of kamma bija.”
1. That is correct.
- Vinnana is a state of the mind, specifically a “defiled state of mind.” One does abhisankhara and accumulates kammic energy with vinnana.
2. Those kammic energies remain in kamma bhava and can bring results (vipaka.)
- ALL records of past actions are preserved in nama loka, i.e., those that created kammic energies and those that did not create kammic energies. That is why we can recall all types of memories. Those with kammic energies are said to be in kamma bhava. Thus, kamma bhava is associated with (or is a subset of) nama loka (i.e., only some memories have associated kammic energy.)
- Of course, our ability to recall everything (even in this life) is limited. However, those with abhinna powers can recall their past lives. A Buddha can recall as many past lives as he wishes in great detail. They are in nama loka.
- A few people have the exceptional ability to recall memories from this life in great detail: “Recent Evidence for Unbroken Memory Records (HSAM).” Those memories are recalled from the nama loka. Some of them may have kammic energies associated with them.
3. Kamma bija refers to a specific “packet of kammic energy” that brings a particular vipaka. Some strong anantariya kamma (like killing a parent) can create a kamma bija by itself.
- However, a kamma bija of a specific kind usually grows with time as one accumulates kamma of the same type. For example, a hunter keeps adding to a “kamma bija” generated by killing animals.
4. There are some exceptions, though. In one sutta, the Buddha refers to “vinnana descending into a womb.” That refers to a gandhabba (which is sort of a kamma bija created by kammic energy) descending to a womb. But that is an exception. A gandhabba is made by a kamma bija in the strict sense.
- So, one needs to get a general idea and not try to enforce a specific “definition.”
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