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Abstract

This article aims at analytically studying the issue of “Kamma-phalaatthibhavapanha” (a problem about the place where the results of Karma are) according to the principles of the Buddhist logic. From the study, it is found that according to Buddhism, when people do good or bad Karma, the results of the Karma do not exist in the body, and cannot be told that they exist in the minds because of the Three Characteristics (Tilakkhana) of the minds:- the impermanence, the state of suffering, and the soullessness. The minds arise and extinguish continuously at all time. Because of these states of mind, when Ven. Nagasena was asked about the place of Karma by the King Milinda, he answered “I can’t reply you about that.” And then, Ven. Nagasena explained this matter by comparing the result of Karma to the shadow. If we consider the method of his answer according to the principles of western logic, such as the Law of Excluded Middle, it will be found that this question was forced to answer where the results of Karma exist, or that there are no results of Karma (no places mean no results). In addition, no matter what Ven. Nagasena chose to answer (whether there is the result of Karma or there is not), his answer is a wrong view that is, according to Buddhism, extreme in any way. The Middle way, according to the Buddhist principle, was therefore chosen to be answered by Ven. Nagasena.