Q43. Where do joy and suffering originate?
~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
It is generally said that happiness and suffering arise from previous kamma (actions). This is the least correct answer. Suffering is something that arises from causes and conditions, and these causes and conditions are of several sorts, kinds, and varieties. Ignorance is a cause, craving is a cause, clinging is a cause, and kamma is a cause, too. Now in saying that suffering comes from kamma, we ought to have in mind new kamma, actions in the present life, that is to say, the brand-new ignorance, craving, and attachment of this life. Think of these as the factors responsible for suffering, the roots causing the arising of suffering. We must realize that old kamma is unable to stand up to new kamma, because we have the ability to produce new kamma. New action, the third type of action, is capable of abolishing old action completely.* Old kamma consists of just good actions and bad actions. There’s no other sort of old kamma. New kamma, however, can be any one of three kinds, the third kind being simply noble eightfold path. When we reach the third level of kamma, it suppresses the first and second types of kamma. If we live the path thoroughly, that is, put a complete end to the defilements, the new kamma (noble path) completely overwhelms the old kamma, both good and bad. That is to say, old actions (the first and second types only) can’t stand up to new kamma (the third type).
Thus, we ought to take an interest in this thing called noble path. I spoke before about what it is like if we practice the ordinary way, and what it is like if we practice the shortcut.** The practice of the shortcut consists in direct self-examination with a view to destroying grasping at notions of ‘self’ and ‘belonging to self.’ That new kamma will be of the third type, the most powerful action. Once arisen it will be razor-sharp and capable of destroying a great quantity of longstanding old kamma. Suffering arises from new kamma, from today’s ignorance, craving, and attachment. These arise through our having seen shapes and colors, heard sounds, smelt odors, and tasted flavors just yesterday and the day before. They can be wiped out by the new kamma of each situation. Don’t deceive yourselves into thinking it is all due to old kamma. Old kamma can be traced back further to even older causes. What can you do about those? So don’t ignore new kamma of this third type. It is capable of annihilating old kamma, both bad and good, absolutely and completely.
(*) See Q14.
(**) See Q13.
(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)
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Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).
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Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives D-124