Expert: Justin Choo - 1/5/2011

Question
If Karma is only 1/5th of the natural laws then are the other 4/5ths created by GOD? If the 4/5th are not created by God then if they are random/chance circumstance then what was the first cause that set these events of the universe in motion? From what I have been taught in buddhism as it seems buddha taught karma, not as 1/5th but 5/5th. If you think it was chance that creates these other laws it would take a first cause to set these events in motion, the big bang came from existing conditions, which had existing conditions that caused those conditions. so your assertion that karma is 1/5th the laws of reality has a big hole in it as to what creates the other 4/5ths please explain?

Answer
Hi David,

The Buddha explained events as a cycle.  There is no beginning and no ending.  There is no first cause.  If we can identify the first cause, then the next logical question is what causes the first cause.  There will be no end to this first cause. We can say, the first cause was due to the last cause.

The five natural laws are :
1. The Physical or Inorganic Law, like the seasons, heat and cold, and rain and snow.
2. The Germinal or Organic Law, like seeds and genes.
3. The Kammic Law.
4. The Natural or Dhamma Law, like gravity and universal values.
5. The Consciousness or Psychic Law.

These five natural laws encompass what the world is.  They are just natural laws; what we consider "natural phenomena".  

This is what I understand.

Take care.

Justin Choo