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