Expert: Bodhicitta - 5/8/2005

Question
Hello iam an Australian Female 26yrs old in the Australian Defence Force as a medic.  I currently work in trialing vaccinations such as new malaria and dengue fever,and  tuberculosis drugs.  My question is Buddha says all things happen for a reason ie if we are sick, have malaria we can die, we are given that path because of karma, today in our modern world we have the ability to discover new drugs to prevent people from dying through surgery/or advancement in science.  In doing so,  Isnt that changing someone elses karma, i thought we do not have the power to change someones karma only the person themselves can do that. Using modern science can reward us with keeping some people alive but then at what cost environmentally and spiritually to both parties involved, and does this fail to not let the person go through their own karma.
Any answers to my question or recommend books would greatly be appreciated.

Michelle

Answer
Hi Michelle
Thank you for introducing yourself and thank you for your
clear question.

I think karma is a complex topic. It is said in Buddhist texts that only the Buddhas understand Karma. So we must assume that we do not.

There are certainly many wrong ideas about karma that dont correspond to the buddhist ideas.

For example I have heard educated people say about disabled people that it serves them right. That they obviously did something very negative and deserve what they got. I guess this is more an old testament view of karma - an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth?

The view of Karma in Buddhism is very sophisticated indeed.
Buddhism has a view that includes vastness on a scale that is beyond any vastness in Western science. Vastness that
we couldnt even contemplate conceptually.

Throughout time we have done all possible actions. We have
all been killers, lovers, mothers, daughters sisters, we have done everything . Through past action we have acquired all the seeds of positive and negative action. The conditions we have now are through some very small
amount of that potential, the seeds of those past actions coming to fruition.

If we look around us at people with disease of difficulties those could just as easily be happening to us, or our mother or our children. The message of Karma
is that while we are confused and not enlightened we are
floating in a vast ocean tossed by the waves out of control. As are all sentient beings. The only way out
of suffering is the path to enlightenment and the dharma.

if we have conditions in our lives when we can practice the dharma then we should do that. Because these conditions
could disappear very quickly.

If we see beings  that suffer and we can help them we should help them. if we can decrease their suffering that is positive. preserving life and creates conditions were people dont suffer is positive.This creates positive karma.

the buddhist canon talks about medecine. The Buddha is called the supreme physician since the best medecine one could give to anyone is the dharma, or the path out of confusion.

the specific questions you ask are complex ones. karma and conditions dont just apply to individuals but apply to groups of people. what you must remember is that you
are not independent from someone who is suffering a disease. this is part of your connection and your karma.
the natural out pouring of compassion and wisdom to relieve
suffering in this situation is positive.

how can we know if actions do good? well we cant as one buddhist teacher said. dont seek credits. there are no credits. Just shine compassion. the sun shines and doesnt know if anyone receives it. you should just shine. by doing this you are benefited and others are benefited. feedback is created.

how can we make the environment safe etc. well maybe dont worry too much. seek the path to enlightenment and become wise and compassionate. our view of the world is all wrong.
we are in a dream. if we woke up and became enlightened we might discover the world never existed from the very beginning.

I wish you well with your dharma
Bodhicitta