Developing Thai Society
50
Committing evil action, misconception of the three characteristics of existence, and inability to differentiate will produce undesirable results known as bad kamma
I think we have to analyze the text further: for example, to find out how much the author teaches the concept of kamma in The Three Planes as it has been expounded in Buddhism or whether it has been mixed with what is known as pubbekata-vāda, a belief in past action. If it is pubbekata-vāda, what we have then is that past deeds determine everything, a concept in Jainism. But if it is the doctrine of kamma in Buddhism, it is to be held that man can improve himself through his own action. It is up to him whether he will be good or bad, will thrive or degenerate. I propose that we should derive benefit from The Three Planes in this respect. To make my point clearer, may I sum up what I said earlier? If we were to give The Three Planes a title that truly reflects its full content, it should be called The Three Planes and Deliverance from Them (to the Supramundane). This book contains the teachings of Buddhism that are mutually compatible, namely the doctrines of kamma and tilakkhaṇa—particularly impermanence—which form the core of The Three Planes. I will not discuss any more here on the sort of attitude, understanding, and teaching method used in propagating the concepts of kamma and impermanence in The Three Planes as well as their positive or negative impacts on the outlook and values of Thai society. I will leave them to academics, e.g., in literature, history, anthropology, and sociology, to analyze and critique further.