Expert: Justin Choo - 7/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Justin:

Some time ago I was talking to a fellow whose brother had a head injury.  He told me that his brother before the injury was a calm easy to get along with person, but after the accident he became violent, aggressive and impulsive.  A very different personality.  What I would like to know is what happens to a person’s original stream of consciousness when the brain malfunctions?  Also as he has less control over his behavior how accountable would he be for his actions according the law of kamma?  

Thanks

AL

ANSWER: Hi AL,

I have to be honest with you that what I'm going to say is just my personal opinion, for anyone can explain in any manner he chooses.  First and foremost I would consider this person's problem as physiological problem relating to the "malfunction" of the brain due to most probably severe concussion.  

Th "stream of consciousness" or the mind functions through the physical medium of the brain; and if the brain is not functioning properly, I would assume that the mind cannot function properly as well.  

According to the law of kamma, it is volitional action that creates a retributive reaction.  It is when a person intentionally (with full awareness) performs an action that it is retributive kamma in the Buddhist sense.  

Hope this helps.

Justin Choo :-)

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And this blog by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Justin:

According to the law of kamma, it is volitional action that creates a retributive reaction. It is when a person intentionally (with full awareness) performs an action that it is retributive kamma in the Buddhist sense.

This makes sense and is logical.  Thanks for making me aware of this.

About the mind (stream of consciousness), is it able to reason and think outside of the body?  Like when a person dies or the body is in a comatose state.  Even when the brain malfunctions is a part of the mind stream operating outside of the body?  I know in the Tibetan tradition they talk about ghosts and hell realms, kind of scary.  Does the mind stream become a ghost when the body dies?

Thanks

AL

ANSWER: Hi AL,

The stream of consciousness never stops.  As a human being, this stream needs a medium to function properly.  With the brain malfunctioning, I don't think this stream can "think and reason outside of the body".

Ghost and hell realms are part of the 31 realms of existence.  Human realm is one of them.  Above the human realms we have the realms of devas (angels) and higher up, the realms of heavens.  Heavens are nothing to shout about, for they are also subject to the law of impermanence, subject to death and rebirth, although the life span there is unimaginably long, stretching to hundreds of millions of years!!  The only consolation in the heavens is that there is very little or no mortal sufferings.  Below the human realm, we have the ghost, animals and the hell realms.  It is actually not above and below; it is non-dimensional.  When the body dies, the stream of consciousness will immediately seek rebirth in the appropriate medium/realm depending on its storehouse of good and bad kamma. Becoming a ghost or existing in one of the hell realms is itself rebirth. Rebirth has already taken place.

Smile from Justin Choo :-)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Justin:

That is a very good summary.  I can see how this subject can get very deep and complicated.  I must say even though I find your explanation very fascinating I am left somewhat confused because I see psychics and mediums who claim they can communicate with people who have long since passed away.  They don’t differentiate between devas and souls from the higher heaven realms.  They seem to be able to communicate with any soul on the other side even with a person that has just recently passed away.  Their performances are very convincing, especially when on TV, and what about near death experiences, people who have been pronounced dead having these extraordinary experiences.   So much has been written about these subjects.  It is so easy to claim something that cannot be proven.  One person says one thing and another something else.  One very famous psychic said you never return as an animal, and the Buddhists say that this is possible.   Of course one has got to be very careful, as not everything is as it appears.  I am just trying to be an objective observer.  I don’t want to believe in something on blind faith, or because I prefer one person’s version over another or I like a particular religion.  I want to go above all that.  I want to know what the truth is.  How can I determine that for myself?          
Thanks

AL


Answer
Hi AL,

(Please start a new "Ask a Question" should you need to continue this discussion, so that it won't get too long)

There are people who claim that they can perform all sorts of things.  If you ask me, then I would say it's none of my business; and I am not concerned whether their claims are true or not.  I am simply not interested and unimpressed.  These sorts of things have nothing to do with me.  The Buddha's message is about how to live in peace with oneself, not about what others can or cannot do.  I need not have to waste my time on speculations. This is the Budhha's advice:  Avoid doing evil, do good, and purify your mind in order to live in peace and contentment in your life.  

Just live according to what you said: "I want to go above all that."

Smile from Justin Choo :-)