Do we choose our lives/parents?

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
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flowerbudh
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Do we choose our lives/parents?

Post by flowerbudh »

How is karma involved?
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. - The Buddha
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takso
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Re: Do we choose our lives/parents?

Post by takso »

flowerbudh wrote:How is karma involved?
In Buddhism, karma refers to volitional action. And how does the volitional action arise?

Let's refer to the following cycle of dependent origination:-

Balance --> stability --> aggregation --> agitation --> information --> knowledge --> representation --> memory --> compulsion --> ignorance --> blindness --> disorientation --> confusion --> irrationality --> impulse --> sparkling --> inkling --> volition --> awareness --> consciousness --> manas --> mind and body, etc.

Volitional action would set forth some kind of tracks or directions to the becoming processes. This means no input, no output - this arising, that arises; this ceasing, that ceases.
~ Ignorance triumphs when wise men do nothing ~
disjointed
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Re: Do we choose our lives/parents?

Post by disjointed »

Karmas can be divided into 2 categories.

Throwing karmas which cause a particular rebirth.
Completing karmas which determine the circumstances(including length) of life.

Throwing karmas, which picks your parents, are taught in conjunction with the 12 dependent arisings (of rebirth). It is a complicated teaching.

There are also other practices called phowas for vajrayana practitioners to incur a fortunate rebirth in general or also specifically to choose the exact parents while inhabiting a "bardo" body. This second method is called ejecting the consciousness and is part of a larger system that encompasses the Highest Yoga tantras.
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muni
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Re: Do we choose our lives/parents?

Post by muni »

Hi Flowerbudh,

Like said, brief summary only here;

"The concept of karmic connection is very important in Buddhism especially in the human development. Karma binds the relationships between body/minds; it is the power of the reunification of mind and matter, child and parents. The accumulated karma of the past life establishes the karmic connection with one’s future life and fortune, and directs the consciousness towards the future parents. Without a karmic connection, even with qualified energy of the couple and favorable conditions, the conception will not take place".

:namaste:
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