People
have different births, talents and positions. Mostly they differ in physical
shape, some are beautiful and some are ugly. Why? In Buddha’s time a Brahmin
named Subha the Youth asked fourteen questions to the Buddha regarding
differences among human beings.
(1)
Why do some live their lives within a short time?
In
the past, some men and women used to killed living beings. They were lack of
self-constraint and pity. Cruel killing acts, harmful deeds make them to live a
short live in this existence. In consequence they have suffered in hell at
death. When they escaped hellish sufferings and reborn in human world, their
lives are short. Killing makes longevity impossible. They have to die young.
(2)
Why do some live long lives?
In
the past, some men and women have cultivated pity, compassion and sympathy. So
they practiced self-control and empathy, avoiding harmful deeds, killing and
murders. At death they were reborn in celestial worlds. If they do not reach
divine planes, they become human beings with long life, up to old age.
(3)
Why do some suffer full of diseases and illnesses?
In
the past, some men and women used to do harm, torture, beating with arms,
swords, sticks and stones. At death, they were reborn in hell. If they do not
reach hell and become human beings, they frequently catch many diseases, illness
and ill-health.
(4)
Why do some have good health and are free from diseases?
In
the past, some men and women used to avoid harming other living beings. They
also shunned tortures. When they die they were reborn in celestial or divine
states. If they do not reach highest realms, they become human beings with good
health and live without serious, terminal diseases.
(5)
Why some are ugly, have bad physical appearance?
In
the past, some men and women used to indulge in hate, ill-will, grudge, and
slander many times. When they died they reached hell. If not, they are born in
human world as human beings with ugly features. Their faces are not good to
look at.
(6)
Why some are beautiful, lovely?
In
the past, some men and women avoided anger, hatred, grudge, and slander. They
did not blame others. They lived a life of composure and peace. When they died,
they reached heavenly worlds. If not, they become human beings with beautiful,
lovely faces. They have good form and are colored with many attractions.
(7)
Why do some have few associates and helpers, little power?
In
the past, some men and women used to indulge in envy. When they died they
reached lower worlds, such as hell. If not, as human beings in this existence,
they lack power, influence and authority.
(8)
Why do some have many associates and helpers, great power?
In
the past, some men and women avoided envy so that when they died, they reached
heavenly worlds. If not, they become human beings with many followers,
possessing great powers, authority and fame.
Note:
“Issa”, “envy”, means envious state of mind wherein one does not like to see
others living in wealth, fame, honor, and wisdom which are based on kamma,
intelligence and effort. Envious persons do demerits of jealousy, downgrading,
belittling others. They speak evil words and try to belittle others.
(9)
Why some are poor?
In
the past, some men and women did not practice alms-giving, charity, giving. They cultivated jealously, narrow-mindedness, selfishness. So when they died,
they reached hell. If not, they become human beings with poverty. They live
poorly without wealth.
(10)
Why some are wealthy?
In
the past, some men and women cultivated the meritorious deeds of alms-giving,
charity, generosity, helpfulness and when they died, they reached higher realm
of existence. If not, they become human beings with great wealth and property.
Note:
“Macchera”, “jealousy”, means a bad person does not give offerings, does not do
acts of giving, charities, etc., for fear of losing money, wealth and
possessions. This state of evil mind is called “Macchera”.
(11)
Why some are born in low-grade class?
In
the past, some men and women indulged in pride, high-mindedness and conceit.
They looked down upon others. They held self-esteem too much. They lack the
virtues of respect and humility. As a result, at death they reached lower
worlds like hell. If not, as human beings they belong to low-class or bad clan,
low-born.
(12)
Why some are born in high-grade class?
In
the past, some men and women cultivated the virtues of respect, humility and
considerateness. They pay homage and respect to others. At death, they reached
celestial or heavenly existence. If not, as human beings they belong to
high-class parents, high grade clan, or well born in upper-class of society.
(13)
Why some are lack of intelligence, wisdom, thoughtfulness?
In
the past, some men and women indulged in neglect of knowledge. So they did not
ask questions regarding the distinction between merit and demerit (kusala and
akusala) together with functions, natures and effects. They did not seek
knowledge regarding blamable deeds and good deeds. They did not approach
knowledgeable persons to get the insight of reliable deeds and unreliable
deeds. They did not ask questions of samsaric good or samsaric bad effects in
long-term view. So they did what they liked as their foolish minds dictated. Mostly they follow the path of evil ways, and at death they reached hell. If
not, as human beings, become fools, idiots or ignoramuses.
(14)
Why some are wise, intelligent and farsighted?
In
contrast, in the past, some men and women indulged in asking questions of
truth, associating with the wise and the intelligent to get clear knowledge of
merit and demerit. At death, they reached high states. If not, as human beings,
they become wise, intelligent and farsighted.
One
must take one’s own duty and responsibility to get a suitable destiny. Past
kammas greatly influence this life! {Culakammavibhanga Sutta}
By Ye' Thu Aung
Buddhist Dictionary : kamma = (wholesome or unwholesome) action; s. karma.
