Expert: Alex Wilding - 7/8/2011

Question
Greetings,
I am trying to learn the underlying teachings of Buddhism to better understand the over all  metaphysical system. Can you help me understand how Buddhism gives account of how the universe and governing laws such as Karma are guaranteed to remain constant and not change? Or how Nirvana might not change into a type of hell? Or the meditative techniques might not cause another undesirable result in the future? What prohibits these universal laws from changing?
Thank you for your time,
Todd

Answer
Hi Todd,
These are good questions, but their scope goes far beyond what can be done here. I can only give a few pointers.
1) True, we do hear people speak of the "law of karma", almost as if it were either a physical law or a law upheld by some powerful judge. It is neither. It simply means that if you do something, the act changes you. The trace it leaves in you will draw you back, sooner or later, to corresponding conditions. There are of course folk tales in which the process is described much more simply and rigidly.
2) Nirvana cannot change into anything because it is not a thing or a place. It is not like being born in some ultimate, peaceful heaven. In fact, precisely the idea that being born in an ultimate, peaceful heaven is a suitable goal is rejected by Buddhism. It would be nice, but it would not last – as I think you suggest. Nirvana simply means that the *causes* of rebirth, good or bad, have been abandoned. It is freedom from bondage, not a place or a status.
3) Indeed, unskillful meditation is taught to have negative results. Why not? That's why engaging with these techniques is a serious matter.
I hope that helps at least a bit.
Alex W