Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto wrote:Do kamma and not-self contradict each other?
There is one question which, though only occasionally asked, tends to linger in the minds of many newcomers to the study of Buddhism: "Do the teachings of kamma and not-self contradict each other?" If everything, including body and mind, is not-self, then how can there be kamma? Who is it who commits kamma? Who receives the results of kamma? These doubts are not simply a phenomenon of the present time, but have existed from the time of the Buddha, as can be seen in the following example:
A bhikkhu conceived the following doubt,"We know that body, feeling, perception, volitional impulses and consciousness are not self. If so, then who is it who receives the results of the kamma made by this 'non-self'?"
At that time, the Blessed One, knowing the thoughts of that bhikkhu, addressed the bhikkhus thus:"Bhikkhus, it may be that some foolish people in this Teaching and Discipline, with mind fallen into ignorance and confused by desire, might conceive the teaching of the Master to be rationalized thus: 'We know that body, feeling, perception, volitional impulses and consciousness are not self. If that is so, who is it who receives the results of the kamma created by this "non-self"?' All of you now, having been thoroughly instructed by me, consider these matters: is form permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, Lord."
"Is what is impermanent (a cause for) happiness or suffering?"
"Suffering, Lord"
"Of that which is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and normally subject to degeneration, is it proper to say that 'this is mine, this is me, this is my self'?"
"No, it is not proper, Lord."
"For that reason, form, feeling, perception, volitional activities and consciousness, of whatever description, are merely form, feeling, perception, volitional activities and consciousness. They are not 'mine,' not 'me,' not 'my self.' Reflect on this as it is with wisdom. The learned, Noble Disciple, seeing in this way, does not attach to form, feeling, perception, volitional impulses or consciousness. He is free of those things, and has no further task to do."
~ M.III.19; S.III.104 (M.14/129/106; S.17/192/126)
From: Good, Evil and Beyond: Kamma in the Buddha's Teachings by Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto
Does anyone know how I can convert these PTS numbers into actual sutta numbers?
M.III.19; S.III.104 (M.14/129/106; S.17/192/126)
Thanks / dhammapal.