Worst Kind of Doctrine That There Is No Kamma

Monks, a hair blanket is declared to be the worst kind of woven garment. A hair blanket is cold in cold weather, hot in hot weather, ugly, foul-smelling, and uncomfortable.

So too, the doctrine of Makkhali is declared the worst among the doctrines of the various Ascetics.

The unwise man Makkhali teaches the doctrine and view: There is no Kamma, no deed, no energy (that is not only is there no result from Kamma but also no Kamma itself, all deeds are null.)

Monks, the Fortunate Ones, Arahants, The Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past taught a doctrine of Kamma, a doctrine of deeds, a doctrine of energy. Yet the unwise man Makkhali contradicts them [with his claim]: There is no Kamma, no deed, no energy.

The Fortunate Ones, Arahants, The Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the future will also teach a doctrine of Kamma, a doctrine of deeds, a doctrine of energy. Yet the unwise man Makkhali contradicts them [with his claim]: There is no Kamma, no deed, no energy.

At present I am the Arahant, The Perfectly Enlightened One, and I teach a doctrine of Kamma, a doctrine of deeds, a doctrine of energy. Yet the unwise man Makkhali contradicts me [with his claim]: There is no Kamma, no deed, no energy.

Just as a trap set at the mouth of a river would bring about harm, pain, calamity, and disaster to many fish, so too, the unwise man Makkhali is, as it were, a ‘trap for people’ who has arisen in the world for the harm, pain, calamity, and disaster of many beings.

(Reference: AN 3.137)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how another Teacher who teaches there is no such thing as The Natural Law of Kamma is unwise and dangerous. The Teacher Makkhali who shares “there is no Kamma, no deed, no energy (that is not only is there no result from Kamma but also no Kamma itself, all deeds are null)” is compared to an ineffective blanket and as dangerous as a fish trap.

Any person interested in retaining heat would use an effective blanket not an ineffective one. And, one would not be interested in the “harm, pain, calamity, and disaster” of a fish trap if a Practitioner fell into the trap that The Natural Law of Kamma did not exist.

One should not attempt to believe The Natural Law of Kamma but instead, observe the reality of this natural law discovering the truth to acquire wisdom. Through this wisdom, one can then make wise decisions to improve their life practice moving the mind towards Enlightenment.

As you continue the journey on The Path to Enlightenment investigating The Natural Law of Kamma, reflect on past experiences of how your unwise unwholesome decisions led to unwholesome results (i.e. unwholesome Kamma). And, reflect on past experiences of how your wise wholesome decisions led to wholesome results (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

Through learning and reflecting on The Buddha’s Teachings related to The Natural Law of Kamma, then you can see the truth acquiring wisdom to make improved decisions. Through your practice of improved decisions, the condition of the mind and your life will gradually improve. This is how you can observe The Natural Law of Kamma no longer allowing the mind to believe anything but instead, observe the truth through direct experience.

The wisdom you acquire about The Natural Law of Kamma will allow the mind to gradually awaken and clean up your decision making to improve the results you experience in life.