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Seeds theory of rebirth – Karma bija and Vinnana bija, or No seed?

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A few weeks ago, I discussed the concept of multiple truths as opposed to a single reality, a perspective we refer to as adopting subjective ontology as opposed to the conventional objectivist viewpoint. The pervasive influence of belief systems, particularly rooted in religion, has emerged as a significant impediment to the coexistence of human beings. This is evident in historical instances such as civil conflicts and imperialistic wars, and continues to manifest in contemporary events, exemplified by recent conflicts like the ongoing war in Ukraine, and conflicts in Gaza and Jerusalem.

Turning our attention to the populace in this part of the world, it’s noteworthy that both pre-Buddhist Indian traditions and Buddhism converge on the shared belief in the cyclical nature of existence. Central to their teachings is the notion that life doesn’t culminate with physical death; rather, individuals are believed to undergo rebirth, transitioning into new forms.

In Pre-Buddhist Indian traditions (PBIT), the soul or atman is often seen as an eternal, unchanging essence that undergoes various births until it achieves liberation (moksha) and reunites with the ultimate reality (Brahman), but Buddha preached anatta (no soul), emphasis on the impermanence (anicca) of all things. Buddhism often describes the continuity of consciousness (Vinnana), conditioned by karma and mental factors, without positing a permanent soul. Therefore, the theory of rebirth (punabbhava) neither related to external authority (God) nor to internal ātma (soul).

Karma Bija or Vinnana Bija (deed seed or consciousness seed)

There is a thing disagreement on the explaining feature of the causes and the process of rebirth in the context of karma/kamma (intentions/deeds/results of an intention), consciousness (vinnana), ignorance (avijja) and craving/longing/desire (tanha) in pre-Buddhist Indian traditions and in Buddhism. This difference can be articulated as follows;

Pre-Indian traditional version: Rebirth occurs with the karma seeds (karma bija) germinating in the field of ignorance (avijja) with the moisture of desire/craving (tanha).

Buddhist-Tripitaka version: Rebirth occurs with the consciousness seeds (vinnana bija) in the field of karma with the moisture of craving (tanha).

In these two premises, both believers agree the tanha supplies the essential moisture for the seeds to germinate. Among the three crucial elements of becoming or rebirth, Buddhism identifies tanha as the more potentially eliminable component. Consequently, the emphasis lies in eliminating tanha to halt the cycle of rebirth. However, proponents of Pre-Buddhist Indian Thought (PBITs) assign greater significance to karma, asserting that fate is unalterable due to the unchangeable repercussions of one’s karma.

In Bhava sutta, Ven. Ānanda asks, “Lord, this word, to what extent is there becoming?”, the Buddha answered “The consciousness of living beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving is established in/tuned to a refined property.

” Thus, kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture” (Bhava Sutta: AN 3:77)

In various belief systems/religions, smaller groups or cults interpret their guru’s teachings differently. In Sri Lanka, certain “Buddhist” groups replace Vinnana bija, (the Bhava Sutta interpretation), with Karma bija, likely influenced by Pre-Buddhist Indian traditions, which places greater emphasis on Karma (Deeds/intentions) over Vinnana (Consciousness).

Nevertheless, Buddha maintained a skeptical stance on the concept of life after death. The ambiguity lies in whether samsara unfolds within the cycle of a single lifetime or spans across multiple life cycles. Scholars in Buddhism, including David J. Kalupahana and K. N. Jayatilleke, have extensively examined this matter. However, the conclusions drawn are inconclusive, except for the acknowledgment that rebirth establishes connections with other Buddhist concepts like paticca-samuppada.

The theory of bhavaṅga (ground of becoming or condition for existence) viewed rebirth as a mental process that influences the succeeding mental process, and it doesn’t physically travel between lives. Therefore, the interpretations are significantly influenced by the concept of Bhava (becoming), which can refer to an entire lifetime or an instantaneous ‘becomings’ (Bhavas) within the same lifespan.

The Tripitaka does not provide a definitive answer, as illustrated in the following famous examples.

Example 1: The Khema Sutra in the Samyukta Nikaya provides an example, where King Pasenadi Kosol inquired about which being comes back to life after death. Buddha responded as follows;

It’s inappropriate to say it will rise after death (No).

It’s inappropriate to say there is no resurrection (not-No).

It’s inappropriate to speculate on the existence of an afterlife (neither No nor not-No).

It’s inappropriate to assert the absence of an afterlife (Both No and not-No).

Example 2: The Kālāma Sutta also not definite on the concept of rebirth;

If another world exists, and the consequences of good and bad deeds are real, then it’s possible that after death, my rebirth will be in a good place, like a heavenly world.

Even if there is no other world, and there are no consequences of good and bad deeds, I can still maintain happiness in this current life without enmity or ill will, free from troubles.

Therefore, it was scholars after Buddha, for example,

Theravāda scholar Buddhaghosa, develop various theories to understand bhava such as ‘rebirth-linking’ (patisandhi). In this theory, as one dies, the senses gradually fade away, leaving only consciousness. The last moment of consciousness at death conditions the first moment of consciousness in the next life, happening at conception. In the traditional Theravāda perspective, there is no actual transmigration.

No seed

Contrary to these theories, the majority of the world’s population does not subscribe to the notion of a seed theory (or life after death) that germinates to create a being, whether human or otherwise. World religious beliefs can be depicted through the proportions illustrated in Figure 1. At least 80% of the world population does not believe in rebirth unless reappearing in another realm of existence.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the debate over the nature of existence and rebirth involves diverse perspectives, revealing a complex interplay of belief systems. The concept of multiple truths, seen through subjective ontology, highlights the challenge of coexistence due to the influential role of religious beliefs. Historical conflicts and contemporary events, such as those in Ukraine, Gaza, and Jerusalem, underscore the impact of these differing perspectives.

Examining the beliefs of both pre-Buddhist Indian thought and Buddhism, there is a shared conviction in the cyclical nature of existence, whether it occurs between different lives or within the confines of the same life span.

However, they diverge in their interpretations of key elements, particularly the role of karma and consciousness, with Buddhism rejecting the idea of an eternal soul.

The disagreement extends to the interpreting features of rebirth in PBIT and Buddhism, focusing on karma bija and vinnana bija. While both agree on the crucial role of craving (tanha) in the process, they differ in whether karma or consciousness is the primary determinant of rebirth.

Buddha’s skeptical stance on life after death adds another layer of complexity. The concept of bhavaṅga, viewing rebirth as a mental process without physical transmigration, introduces further nuances to the debate.

The Tripitaka’s lack of a definitive answer is exemplified in famous examples like the Khema Sutra and the Kālāma Sutta, where Buddha’s responses leave room for multiple interpretations. Additionally, post-Buddha scholars like Buddhaghosa introduced theories like “rebirth-linking” to understand the concept of bhava.

Contrary to these intricate theories, a significant portion of the global population does not subscribe to the idea of a seed theory or life after death. This skepticism is reflected in Figure 1, where approximately 80% of the world’s population does not believe in rebirth unless reappearing in another realm of existence. The debate thus remains multifaceted, reflecting the diversity and complexity of human perspectives on existence and rebirth.

(The writer, a senior Chartered Accountant and professional banker, is Professor at SLIIT University, Malabe. He is also the author of the “Doing Social Research and Publishing Results”, a Springer publication (Singapore), and “Samaja Gaveshakaya (in Sinhala). The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the institution he works for. He can be contacted at saliya.a@sliit.lk and www.researcher.com)



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Opinion

HW Cave saw Nanu Oya – Nuwara rail track as “exquisite”

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Plans to resurrect the Nanu Oya – Nuwara Eliya rail track are welcome. The magnificent views from the train have been described by H W Cave in his book The Ceylon Government Railway (1910):

‘The pass by which Nuwara Eliya is reached is one of the most exquisite things in Ceylon. In traversing its length, the line makes a further ascent of one thousand feet in six miles. The curves and windings necessary to accomplish this are the most intricate on the whole railway and frequently have a radius of only eighty feet. On the right side of the deep mountain gorge we ascend amongst the tea bushes of the Edinburgh estate, and at length emerge upon a road, which the line shares with the cart traffic for about a mile. In the depths of the defile flows the Nanuoya river, foaming amongst huge boulders of rock that have descended from the sides of the mountains, and bordered by tree ferns, innumerable and brilliant trees of the primeval forest which clothe the face of the heights. In this land of no seasons their stages of growth are denoted by the varying tints of scarlet, gold, crimson, sallow green, and most strikingly of all, a rich claret colour, the chief glory of the Keena tree’.

However, as in colonial times, the railway should be available for both tourists and locals so that splendid vista can be enjoyed by all.

Dr R P Fernando
Epsom,
UK

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Opinion

LG polls, what a waste of money!

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If the people of this country were asked whether they want elections to the local government, majority of them would say no! How many years have elapsed since the local councils became defunct? And did not the country function without these councils that were labelled as ‘white elephants’?

If the present government’s wish is to do the will of the people, they should reconsider having local government elections. This way the government will not only save a considerable amount of money on holding elections, but also save even a greater amount by not having to maintain these local councils, which have become a bane on the country’s economy.

One would hope that the country will be able to get rid of these local councils and revert back to the days of having competent Government Agents and a team of dedicated government officials been tasked with the responsibility of attending to the needs of the people in those areas.

M. Joseph A. Nihal Perera

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Opinion

What not to do

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Trump and Zelensky arguing in the White House

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

It is immaterial whether you like him or not but one thing is crystal clear; Donald Trump has shown, very clearly, who is the boss. Surely, presidents of two countries are equal; perhaps, that is the impression Volodymyr Zelensky had when he went to the White House to meet Trump but the hard reality, otherwise, would have dawned on him with his inglorious exit! True, the behaviour of President Trump and VP Vance were hardly praiseworthy but Zelensky did what exactly he should not do. Afterall, he was on a begging mission and beggars cannot be choosers! He behaved like professional beggars in Colombo who throw money back when you give a small amount!!

Despite the risk of belonging to the minority, perhaps of non-Americans, I must say that I quite like Trump and admire him as a straight-talking politician. He keeps to his words; however atrocious they sound! Unfortunately, most critics overlook the fact that what Trump is doing is exactly what he pledged during his election campaign and that the American voters elected him decisively. When he lost to Biden, all political commentators wrote him off, more so because of his refusal to admit defeat and non-condemnation of his supporters who rioted. When he announced his intention to contest, it only evoked pundits’ laughter as they concluded that the Republican Party would never nominate him. Undaunted, Trump got the party to rally round him and won a non-consecutive second term; a feat achieved only once before, by Grover Cleveland around the end of the nineteenth century. His victory, against all predictions, was more decisive as he got more collegiate votes and, even though it does not matter, won the popular vote too which he did not get when he got elected the first term. Even his bitterest critics should accept this fact.

Zelensky was elected the president of Ukraine after the elected pro-Soviet president was deposed by a ‘peoples revolution’ engineered by the EU with the support of USA. After this, the EU attempted to bring Ukraine to NATO, disregarding the Munich agreement which precipitated the Russian invasion. He should have realised that, if not for the air-defence system which Trump authorised for Ukraine during his first term, Russian invasion would have been complete. It may well be that he was not aware as when this happened Zelensky may still have been the comedian acting the part of the president! Very likely, Trump was referring to this when he accused Zelensky of being ungrateful.

Zelensky also should have remembered that he disregarded requests from Trump, after his defeat by Biden, to implicate Biden’s son in some shady deals in Ukraine and that one of the last acts of Biden was to pardon his son and grant immunity to cover the alleged period. Perhaps, actions of the European leaders who embrace him every time they see him, as a long-lost brother, and invitations to address their parliaments has induced an element of the superiority complex in Zelensky that he behaved so combative.

Trump wanted to be the mediator to stop the war and spoke to Putin first. Instead of waiting for Trump to speak to him, egged on by EU leaders Zelensky started criticising Trump for not involving him in the talks. His remark “He should be on our side” demonstrated clearly that Zelensky had not understood the role of a mediator. His lack of political experience was the major reason for the fiasco in the White House and the subsequent actions of Trump clearly showed Zelensky where he stands! PM Starmer and President Macron seem to have given some sensible advice and he seems to be eating humble pie. In the process Trump has ensured that the European nations pay for their defence than piggy-backing on the US, which I am sure would please the American voter. By the way, though Macron talks big about defence France spends less than 2% of GDP. Trump seems vindicated. Of course, Trump could be blamed for being undiplomatic but he can afford to be as he has the upper hand!

Ranil on Al Jazeera

Zelensky has shown what not to do: instead of being diplomatic being aggressive when you need favours! Meanwhile, Ranil has shown what not to do when it comes to TV interviews. God only knows who advised him, and why, for him to go ‘Head to Head’ with Mehdi Hasan on Al-Jazeera. Perhaps, he wanted to broadcast to the world that he was the saviour of Sri Lanka! The experienced politician he is, one would have expected Ranil to realise that he would be questioned about his role in making Sri Lanka bankrupt as well, in addition to raising other issues.

The interview itself was far from head to head; more likely heads to head! It turned out to be an inquisition by Tiger supporters and the only person who spoke sense being Niraj Deva, who demonstrated his maturity by being involved in British and EU politics. The worst was the compere who seems keen to listen his own voice, reminding me of a Sinhala interviewer on a YouTube channel whose interviews I have stopped watching!

Ranil claims, after the interview was broadcast, that it had been heavily edited reduced from a two-hour recording. Surely, despite whatever reason he agreed to, he should have laid ground rules. He could have insisted on unedited broadcast or his approval before broadcast, if it was edited. It was very naïve of Ranil to have walked in to a trap for no gain. Though his performance was not as bad as widely reported, he should have been more composed at the beginning as he turned out to be later. Overall, he gave another opportunity for the Tiger rump and its supporters to bash Sri Lanka, unfortunately.

Medhi Hasan should watch some of David Frost interviews, especially the one with Richard Nixon, and learn how to elicit crucial information in a gentle exploratory manner than shouting with repeated interruptions. He does not seem to think it is necessary to give time for the interviewee to respond to his questions. I will never watch Al-Jazeera’s “Head to Head” again!

Ranil’s best was his parting shot; when asked by Hasan whether he would contest the next presidential election, he said “No, I will retire and watch Al-Jazeera and hope to see you better mannered”!

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