In this interview I am once again joined by Mordy Levine, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author of ‘The Beginner’s Guide to Karma’ with Lama Lhanang.
Mordy discusses the Buddhist doctrine of karma, explores its history in Indian thought, and differentiates the various types of karmic actions and their consequences.
Mordy reveals special, esoteric methods to purify bad karma, compares the Tibetan tradition to Zen, and grapples with the importance of motive in karmic justice.
Mordy also discusses the six realms, whether Buddhist hell should be understood as a place or a psychological state, and why he believes an understanding of karma is a pathway to true freedom.
NB: Lama Lhanang was originally scheduled to appear in this interview alongside Mordy, but was unable to attend due to a last minute scheduling conflict.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep299-karma-mordy-levine-2
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Why Mordy wrote “The Beginner’s Guide to Karma”
02:17 - Understanding of karma regulates human behaviour
03:38 - Creative collaboration with Lama Lhanang
04:48 - A powerful insight about karma and consciousness
06:53 - The history of the doctrine of karma in India
09:50 - Mordy’s research into karma, using primary sources
11:50 - Different types of karmic actions and their consequences
13:29 - Selfishness vs selflessness as motive
15:08 - Is intention all?
16:19 - How great masters read karmic history
19:34 - Does Buddhism disincentivise effective action?
21:19 Does self-interest negate efforts to generate good karma?
23:24 - The desire to help others is an exception
26:00 - Motivations are complicated
28:57 - How karma helps us face negative situations
31:25 - The story of the Zen farmer
33:48 - Does the doctrine of karma blame the unfortunate?
36:02 - Explanation without accusation
37:09 - Mordy’s message about karma
38:38 - Working the karmic system to reduce negative karmic consequences and accrue merit
41:06 - Esoteric methods to purify negative karma
44:24 - The special power of meditation
45:44 - Does motivation affect the karmic consequence of meditation?
44:34 - Can meditation create negative karma?
48:28 - Generating and dedicating merit
50:45 - Is enlightenment the result of good karma?
52:42 - How to work the karma system to become enlightened
53:43 - What is collective karma?
56:24 - Can we hold groups accountable for their karma?
58:18 - Mordy on Donald Trump
59:41 - Can bad karma send you to hell?
01:02:07 - Are the 6 realms real locations or psychological states?
01:03:29 - Does Mordy believe in the 6 realms?
01:04:13 - Is belief in the 6 realms necessary?
01:05:21 - Is karma believable?
01:06:26 - Is there a place for chance in the Buddhist view?
01:07:00 - Mordy’s hopes for the book
01:07:58 - Does karma give freedom or a burden?
01:08:38 - American karma, “Have it your way”.
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Previous episode with Mordy Levine:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=mordy
Previous episodes with Lama Lhanang:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=lhanang
To find out more about Mordy Levine, visit:
- https://www.mordylevine.com/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James