Abhidhamma View (6): Obstructive and Destructive Kamma [Presented by Dr.Tep Sastri @SariputtaDhamma/JTN/Mult]
The last post talks about productive kamma that produces resultant cittas and rupa at rebirth-linking and during the couse of existence, and it talks about supportive kamma that does not produce but only perform supportive role or reinforces other kamma. Two other kamma by way of function are obstructive and destructive kamma.
CMA V, p. 202-203:
Obstructive (upapii.laka) kamma is kamma which cannot produce its own result but nevertheless obstructs and frustrates some other kamma, counter its efficacy or shortening the duration of its pleasant or painful results. Eventhough a productive kamma may be strong at the time it is accumulated, an obstructive kamma directly opposed to it may counteract it so that it becomes impaired when producing its results. For example, a wholesome kamma tending to produce rebirth in a superior plane of existence may be impeded by an obstructive kamma so that it generates rebirth in a lower plane. A kamma tending to produce rebirth among high families may produce rebirth among low families; kamma tending to longevity may tend towards shortness of life, kamma tending to produce beauty may produce a plain appearance, etc. In the opposite way, an unwholesome kamma tending to produce rebirth in the great hells may be counteracted by an obstructive wholesome kamma and produce rebirth in the minor hells or among the petas.
During the course of existence many instances may be found of the operation of obstructive kamma. For example, in the human realm such kamma will obstruct the continuum of aggregates produced by kamma, facilitating the maturation of kamma that results in suffering and causing failures in regards to property and wealth or family and friends, etc. In the lower realms obstructive kamma may counteract the rebirth-producing kamma, contributing to occasions of ease and happiness.
Destructive kamma(upaghaataka) kamma is wholesome or unwholesome kamma which supplants other weaker kamma, prevents it from ripening, and produces instead its own result. For example, somebody born as a human being may, through his productive kamma, have been originally destined for a long life-span, but a destructive kamma amy arise and bring about a premature death. At the time of death, at first a sign of a bad destination may appear by the power of an evil kamma, heralding a bad rebirth, but then a good kamma my emerge, expel the bad kamma, and having caused a sign of a good destination to appear, produce a rebirth in a heavenly world. On the other hand, a bad kamma may suddenly arise, cut off the productive potential of a good kamma, and generate rebirth in a woeful realm.
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Love Buddha's dhamma,
yawares/sirikanya
