There is a common misconception that the Buddhists' view of the cycle of rebirth is based solely on the Law of Karma. Hence, this theology was criticized by many non-Buddhists, mainly atheists and scientific-minded intellectuals, as barbaric and ridiculous.
I've come across one of them whom posted a good question on one discussion board :
"People keep telling me that I don't understand Karma correctly, so would some one please enlighten me as to how this disgusting and barbaric ideology does not mean that a kid dying of hunger, and suffering a massive amount while doing so, somehow deserves it for wrong done in that life or a previous one?"
I've come across one of them whom posted a good question on one discussion board :
"People keep telling me that I don't understand Karma correctly, so would some one please enlighten me as to how this disgusting and barbaric ideology does not mean that a kid dying of hunger, and suffering a massive amount while doing so, somehow deserves it for wrong done in that life or a previous one?"
After reading this, I started pondering the logic behind his question.
However, if one were to do some research on this, it can be easily found that the karma theory originated from Hinduism, and not Buddhism. It is this very theory which differentiated ancient Hindu's social system into various caste, and to condemn the unfortunate ones or those in the lower castes as "deserving".
If the Buddha had really based his teachings on the Law of Karma, then he wouldn't have condemned the caste system in ancient India, as he would have preached that the slaves were born as slaves due to some misdeeds done in their pasts, and the starved deserved to starve because they were the one whom had sowed the seeds of their very own sufferings.
Most important of all, the Buddha would not have taught us how to end our sufferings, if he were to agree that the Law of Karma governs our life and fate. He could just let us continue suffering in the six realms of existence, since we "deserve" to suffer for what we had done wrong in the N past lives, but instead, he showed us the path leading to awakening after his enlightenment, so that we can too escape the cycle of rebirth and samsara.
So, if karma is not the deciding factor of rebirth, then what is?
The answer to this question, the why what and how regarding rebirth and samsara, is all contained in the Bhavacakra - The Wheel of Life.
However, if one were to do some research on this, it can be easily found that the karma theory originated from Hinduism, and not Buddhism. It is this very theory which differentiated ancient Hindu's social system into various caste, and to condemn the unfortunate ones or those in the lower castes as "deserving".
If the Buddha had really based his teachings on the Law of Karma, then he wouldn't have condemned the caste system in ancient India, as he would have preached that the slaves were born as slaves due to some misdeeds done in their pasts, and the starved deserved to starve because they were the one whom had sowed the seeds of their very own sufferings.
Most important of all, the Buddha would not have taught us how to end our sufferings, if he were to agree that the Law of Karma governs our life and fate. He could just let us continue suffering in the six realms of existence, since we "deserve" to suffer for what we had done wrong in the N past lives, but instead, he showed us the path leading to awakening after his enlightenment, so that we can too escape the cycle of rebirth and samsara.
So, if karma is not the deciding factor of rebirth, then what is?
The answer to this question, the why what and how regarding rebirth and samsara, is all contained in the Bhavacakra - The Wheel of Life.
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