Nikola Benin. Buddhist Philosophy

Nikola Benin, Ph.D

Commonly, causality is the relation between causes and the effect. Anything that affects an effect is a factor of that effect. The connection between a cause(s) and an effect in this way can also be referred to as a causal nexus.

The philosophical treatment on the subject of causality extends over millennia.

#Karma is the belief held by Sanathana Darma and major religions that a person's actions cause certain effects in the current life and/or in future life, positively or negatively.

The doctrine of satkaryavada affirms that the effect inheres in the cause in some way. The effect is thus either a real or apparent modification of the cause. The doctrine of asatkaryavada affirms that the effect does not inhere in the cause, but is a new arising.

According to the theory of action and result (karmaphala), our karmic actions are the principle cause of our happiness or suffering. A positive or wholesome action is one that lead to greater happiness for ourselves and others, and a negative or unwholesome action is one that lead to suffering.

The universal definition of #pratityasamutpada (or dependent origination) is that everything arises in dependence upon multiple causes or conditions. Nothing exists as a singular, independent entity.