ABHIDHAMMA IN DAILY LIFE - Abhidhamma.com

actions directly. We must well understand that it is you and not another being that suffers from
the ill effects of misdeeds you have done in this life.
7.2.6 The Same Kamma Effect
In the Jatakas we find two persons did certain deeds together and thus enjoy the same effects in
their next existences. Those who had done charity together, observed precepts together, felt
appreciative joy even when not doing the wholesome deed together, as when the husband earns
money and the wife does charity with that money, they all enjoy the good results together. The
two persons, doing good deed together, may develop attachment wishing to enjoy the good
company and hear good words of each other - this is a wholesome wish; or the attachment may
arise due to more intimate feelings towards each other - this is an unwholesome wish. These two
wishes may arise with the consciousness either before or after a joint meritorious deed. Then
such mental attachment accompanies the effects of their volition and kamma actions, when they
meet again in some future existence, enjoying the same good results of their past deeds in
fulfillment of wholesome or unwholesome actions. This is the same kamma effects.
Example - People enjoying the same kamma effect can be seen in the lives of Bodhisattvas and
their wives. Such couples had vowed to each other to be partners in the noble effort. Bodhisatta
(later Gotama the Buddha) and Yashodhara, Venerable Kassapa and Mai Buddha, King
Mahakappina and his queen Anoja, etc. had been partners in countless past lives in search of
perfections. Together with them came the Venerable Shariputra, Moggallana, Anuruddha and
Rahula, the Theris Khema, Uppalavanna, Queen Gotami and Emperor ShuddhoCharity, who in
their past existence, had been closely associated in doing good deeds.
7.2.7 Unwholesome Kamma Partners
There are partners in doing evil deeds. When unwholesome deeds are done together they are
reborn with evil results. Once upon a time a husband and wife were shipwrecked and stranded on
an island. Being hungry, they killed some birds together and ate the flesh. They suffered together
in hell. In addition, in the time of Gotama they became Prince Bodhi (son of King Utana) and
consort respectively. killed and ate the birds in the past life. They were both sterile and thus had
no children.
If the wife or the husband had not agreed to killing birds either or the other could be blessed with
the power of protection. Since both collaborated in the misdeed, they both suffered the fate of
childlessness. The unwholesome deeds done together will produce the same evil effects in future
existences. In the case of husband and wife, one should stop the other in doing evil, and vice
versa. Otherwise, both will suffer together the results.
7.2.8 The Benefits of Good Deeds enjoyed Collectively
The benefits of good deed enjoyed collectively can be seen in families, small communities or in
societies, whose members had collectively performed good deeds in the past.
Example - During the region of King Batika, eaters of beef are fined. Those who could not afford
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