Chapter 39b: The Graph of Karma
Dhammonomics:
Chapter
39b - The Graph of Karma
‘Karma’
is one of the most significant teachings in Buddhism. In generally, it is the belief that one
always gets the good and bad results of good and bad actions one committed. Although the belief about karma is also
available in some other religions and creeds, the definition of karma given by
the Lord Buddha can be somewhat similar and different from others in many
aspects, and this chapter of dhammonomics interprets karma only in the domain
of Buddhism.
As we
extract what karma really means, we can derive a graph of karma in the form of
parabolas given specific equations which are referenced by the Buddhist
teachings on the ten wholesome karmic deeds and the ten unwholesome karmic
deeds.
The teaching
on karmic deeds categorises good and bad deeds into three major group of three behaviours
(tricariyās) namely (i) thought (ii) speech and (iii) action
whereby each group is divided into karmic qualities of virtues and
disvirtues.
Given
the doctrine, we can create a crossing graph of which y-axis represents the ‘intensity’
of karma motivated by (i) effort (ii) mindfulness and (iii) mental focus. These three qualities are mental faculties or
Samadhi which is an index that indicates the will in committing a karma
empowered by stronger or weaker will, leading to the more or less intensity of
karma as well as the more factors add up the contributing causality. Other than this, the right wing of x-axis represents
wholesomeness (kusala dharma) as long as the value of (x) is
positive. On the contrary, the left wing
of x-axis represents the unwholesomeness (akusala dharma) as long as the
value of (x) is negative. Hence, the
crossing point of the x and y axis where (x) and (y), both, equal to zero
represents the neither wholesomeness nor unwholesomeness (abhayagata dharma).
With the
equation f(y) = ax2, the three parabolas, which have their trough at
(0,0), are divided into (i) parabola of mental karma or thought (ii) parabola
of verbal karma or speech and (iii) parabola of physical karma or action. The equations can be detailed as follows:
f(y) = ax2
If (x) = 0, then (y) =
0
(x) = wholesomeness
(-x) = unwholesomeness
(x = 0) = neither
wholesomeness nor unwholesomeness
(a = 3) = mental deed
or thought
(a = 2) = verbal deed
or speech
(a = 1) = physical
deed or action
Parabola of Good/Bad Mental
Karma
f(y) = 3x2
where positive (x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Sharing and
safeguarding + Goodwill + Righteousness)
where negative
(-x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Greed
+ Ill-will + Unrighteousness)
Parabola of Good/Bad Verbal
Karma
f(y) = 2x2
where positive
(x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Truthfulness
and frankness + Composure and calm + Politeness and gentleness + Thoughtfulness
and carefulness)
where negative
(-x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Lying
and untruthfulness + Insult and sarcasm + Rudeness + Prattle)
Parabola of Good/Bad Physical
Karma
f(y) = 1x2
where positive
(x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Mercy
and care + Trustworthiness + Honesty)
where negative
(-x) = Karma committed with more or less of (Killing
and harm + Fraud and cheating + Dishonesty and sexual misconduct)
With the
provided functions, we can create the graphs of karma which reflect the system
of noble eightfold path which is the mechanism behind karma where y-axis
indicates concentration or focus of mind (samadhi), x-axis connotes the
virtue and disvirtue or morality (sīla) whilst wisdom (pañña)
lies within the parabola of good and bad thought where justification of righteousness
is one of its contributing factors.
By Pirajak Tisuthiwongse
(Pittaya Wong)
Dhammonomics Inventor
& Dharma Wizard
16 to 17 September
2022
www.Meditation101.org
Source of Study:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/cariya
https://84000.org/tipitaka/
