IV
338 [DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES]
This cannot be true of the Buddhist Law of Karma. This is also because there is no soul.
The Hindu Law of Karma is based on the existence of a soul which is distinct from the body. When the body dies the soul does not die. The soul flies away.
This is not true of the Buddhist Law of Karma.
According to the Hindu Law of Karma what happens when a man does a karma is this. His act produces two-fold results. It affects the doer and secondly it produces an impress upon his soul.
Each act he does produces an impress upon his soul.
When a man dies and when his soul escapes, the soul is full of such impressions.
It is these impressions which determine his birth and status in his future life.
This Hindu theory is inconsistent with the Buddhist theory of no-soul.
For these reasons the Buddhist doctrine of Karma cannot be and is not the same as the Hindu doctrine of Karma.
It is therefore simply foolish to talk about the Buddhist doctrine of Karma being the same as the Brahminic doctrine of Karma.
All that one can say is beware of this jugglery.
§ 2. Did the Buddha believe in Past Karma having effect on Future Life?
The Law of Karma was enunciated by the Buddha. He was the first to say : “Reap as you sow.”
He was so emphatic about the Law of Karma that he maintained that there could be no moral order unless there was a stern observance of the Law of Karma.
The Buddha’s Law of Karma applied only to Karma and its effect on present life.