Discourse an.3.34 - buddha.co.za

Causes

“Bhikkhus, there are these three causes for the origination of kamma. What three? Greed is a cause for the origination of kamma; hatred is a cause for the origination of kamma; delusion is a cause for the origination of kamma.

(1) “Any kamma, bhikkhus, fashioned through greed, born of greed, caused by greed, originated by greed, ripens wherever the individual is reborn. Wherever that kamma ripens, it is there that one experiences its result, either in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion.

(2) “Any kamma fashioned through hatred, born of hatred, caused by hatred, originated by hatred, ripens wherever the individual is reborn. Wherever that kamma ripens, it is there that one experiences its result, either in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion.

(3) “Any kamma fashioned through delusion, born of delusion, caused by delusion, originated by delusion, ripens wherever the individual is reborn. Wherever that kamma ripens, it is there that one experiences its result, either in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, seeds that are intact, unspoiled, not damaged by wind and the sun’s heat, fecund, well preserved, were deposited in well-prepared ground in a good field and receive proper rainfall: in this way, those seeds would grow, increase, and mature. So too, any kamma that is fashioned through greed … hatred … delusion, born of delusion, caused by delusion, originated by delusion, ripens wherever the individual is reborn. Wherever that kamma ripens, it is there that one experiences its result, either in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion.

“These are the three causes for the origination of kamma.

“Bhikkhus, there are these three other causes for the origination of kamma. What three? Non-greed is a cause for the origination of kamma; non-hatred is a cause for the origination of kamma; non-delusion is a cause for the origination of kamma.

(1) “Any kamma, bhikkhus, fashioned through non-greed, born of non-greed, caused by non-greed, originated by non-greed, is abandoned when greed has vanished; it is cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising.

(2) “Any kamma fashioned through non-hatred, born of non-hatred, caused by non-hatred, originated by non-hatred, is abandoned when hatred has vanished; it is cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising.

(3) “Any kamma fashioned through non-delusion, born of non-delusion, caused by non-delusion, originated by non-delusion, is abandoned when delusion has vanished; it is cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, there are seeds that are intact, unspoiled, not damaged by wind and the sun’s heat, fecund, well preserved. Then a man would burn them in a fire, reduce them to ashes, and winnow the ashes in a strong wind or let them be carried away by the swift current of a river. In this way, those seeds would be cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that they are no more subject to future arising. So too, any kamma that is fashioned through non-greed … non-hatred … non-delusion, born of non-delusion, caused by non-delusion, originated by non-delusion, is abandoned when delusion has vanished; it is cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising.”

“These, bhikkhus, are the three causes for the origination of kamma.”

Whatever kamma an ignorant person has done
born of greed, hatred, and delusion,
whether what was fashioned by him be little or much,
it is to be experienced right here:
there exists no other site for it.

Therefore a wise person should abandon
any deed born of greed, hatred, and delusion.
A bhikkhu, giving rise to knowledge,
should abandon all bad destinations.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

Sources

“Mendicants, there are these three sources that give rise to deeds.
What three?
Greed, hate, and delusion are sources that give rise to deeds.
Any deed that emerges from greed—born, sourced, and originated from greed—ripens where that new life-form is born.
And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
Any deed that emerges from hate—born, sourced, and originated from hate—ripens where that new life-form is born.
And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
Any deed that emerges from delusion—born, sourced, and originated from delusion—ripens where that new life-form is born.
And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
Suppose some seeds were intact, unspoiled, not weather-damaged, fertile, and well-kept. They’re sown in a well-prepared, productive field,
and the heavens provide plenty of rain.
Then those seeds would grow, increase, and mature.
In the same way, any deed that emerges from greed—born, sourced, and originated from greed—ripens where that new life-form is born.
And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
Any deed that emerges from hate …
Any deed that emerges from delusion—born, sourced, and originated from delusion—ripens where that new life-form is born.
And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
These are three sources that give rise to deeds.
Mendicants, there are these three sources that give rise to deeds.
What three?
Contentment, love, and understanding are sources that give rise to deeds.
Any deed that emerges from contentment—born, sourced, and originated from contentment—is given up when greed is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
Any deed that emerges from love—born, sourced, and originated from love—is abandoned when hate is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
Any deed that emerges from understanding—born, sourced, and originated from understanding—is abandoned when delusion is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
Suppose some seeds were intact, unspoiled, not damaged by wind and sun, fertile, and well-kept.
But someone would burn them with fire,
reduce them to ashes,
and sweep away the ashes in a strong wind, or float them away down a swift stream.
Then those seeds would be cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
In the same way, any deed that emerges from contentment—born, sourced, and originated from contentment—is abandoned when greed is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
Any deed that emerges from love …
Any deed that emerges from understanding—born, sourced, and originated from understanding—is abandoned when delusion is done away with.
It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
These are three sources that give rise to deeds.
When an ignorant person acts
out of greed, hate, or delusion,
any deeds they have performed
—whether a little or a lot—
are to be experienced right here,
not in any other place.
So a wise person,
a mendicant arousing knowledge
of the outcome of greed, hate, and delusion,
would cast off all bad destinies.”

an.3.34 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Causes

Sources