Originally posted by #$%^&*:
Dear all,
Thank you for taking the effort in putting up this wonderful forum. I just want to say that what you've done is really wonderful and is very much appreciated.
I have some questions, if you can kindly help me in answering,
I once watch a TV program and the Buddhist bhikku/ monk was saying that if somebody take drugs in this life, and become a serious junkie, he will be reborn/ reincarnated in the next life as an idiot/ retard.
There are several of such similar encounters that I remember about Buddhist teachings. I wonder, what is exactly the flow, or how should I say, the connection, of what somebody does now, with the next life? Is there a relationship?
This is my first question, and many thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post.
Best regards,
#$%^&*
Good morning interested person,
Just to share my understanding.
Life is a continum flow. The relationship of our next life to our present is because it's our conciousness still have the 'want' to be reborn. This 'want' is much due to our kamma.
I will not agree with what the monk says about becoming idiot/retard in the next life simply because one is a serious substance abuser in this very life. Now I may appreciate the monk may be using such scare tactics as a deterent mean but I will not say it is the best way to stop people from abusing drugs.
I will say if one does become a habitual substance abuser, it does have negative effect on the person in the future. This is so because very deeply impacted habits may be brought over to future lives. Now this habit may affect the behaviour and characteristics of one's future reborn.
And whatever kamma that one had accumulated in this life, it may not necessary mean it will only take effect in the very next life. With the appropriate conditions meeting, the effect may come just few minutes/hours/days/months/years or even say 4589 lives' later.
When the Lord instructed the 5 precepts on us, it is much so to deal with our present lives. The first 4 aims to mould as socially responsible people as to mutually respect one another's lives, property, integrity and honesty. The last is aim to keep our mind in a clear state so that we will have lesser chance in commiting the first 4.
Buddha-Dhamma is a practical approach in adjusting our lives and gear towards not only spiritual maturity but as well as character development. The past was already over, the future is yet to come; only the present is in our hands.
Instead of worrying about our future rebirths, why not look into our present and see what can we do to improve ourselves here and now?
=)