Kamma & Rebirth. Is it a necessity in the practice of the Dhamma?

This topic of Kamma and Rebirth has been taken as one of the most important factors in the practice of Buddhism by many followers but is it really?

Before we dwell on this topic, I'd like to first explain what Kamma and Rebirth mean in accordance, with my interpretation. Kamma is whatever actions taken as a result of an emotional reaction. It's when you hurt someone because you are angry, steal because you are greedy, sexual misconduct because you were sexually aroused, lie because you were scared.

Rebirth is a continuous process of being born after death and normally it is believed that it is caused by the accumulation of Karmic energy (i.e. energy created as a result of Kamma). Rebirth in the Buddhist world is different from Reincarnation or Transmigration as it does not involve an eternal soul that is transferred from one body to another. In the Buddha's teaching, there is no eternal soul. In fact, to the Buddha; the self as we know it is only an illusion or a mere concept that we create in the mind and we grew up with this misconception. Technically, Rebirth is then described as a reproduction of life from Karmic energy.

Many Buddhist believe that Kamma & Rebirth is the fundamental teaching of the Buddha. Some would say that if you do not believe in Kamma & Rebirth, then you are not a Buddhist. I beg to differ. In fact, there are a few instances where the Buddha discourages a person from such thoughts. This is evident in Titthayatana Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya 3.61) and Culadukkhakkhandha Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 14), where you will find that the Buddha teaches not to be concerned about whether there is a past life nor what actions will form the fate of future lives but to practice for the liberation of the current life.

What is important to note is that Buddha's teachings have all been very practical and was never based on faith and belief. This means that unless you have personally experienced something, never take it as absolute truth even if it is expounded by the Buddha himself. This is clearly mentioned by the Buddha in Kesamutti Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya 3.65), "Please, Kālāmas, don’t go by oral transmission, don’t go by lineage, don’t go by testament, don’t go by canonical authority, don’t rely on logic, don’t rely on inference, don’t go by reasoned contemplation, don’t go by the acceptance of a view after consideration, don’t go by the appearance of competence, and don’t think ‘The ascetic is our respected teacher.’"

Having said that, it is true that in certain suttas, the Buddha did mention about Kamma and Rebirth and how they work. Bear in mind, he has trained his mind to a very high level of development where he has the ability to see all that based on his own personal experience. Therefore, he and the other Arahants who have trained their mind to that level & have personally seen or experienced these phenomena, have the authority to describe or teach these subjects.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trueawakeningmal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/true_awakening/