1. Kamma and Skilful Means
The Goals
Kamma and Skilful Means

2. Kamma Kamma means ‘action’ It is the natural law of cause and effect
Every action is determined by something
Every action has an effect / consequence
These consequences can have either negative or positive kammic effects
Kammic effects may not be felt straight away
The ‘balance’ of kamma at the end of one life determines the ‘state’ of the next life
The aim is to build up positive kamma to gain a better rebirth and become closer to the ultimate goal of nibbana

3. Skilful Means / Skill in Means
Upaya Kausala = skilful means
This is using different strategies to ‘teach’ your audience, e.g. football rules will be taught differently to a five year old, and someone on the school team.

4. Skilful Means is using wisdom to use the appropriate method at the appropriate time
The Buddha used upaya kausala all the time – it is the message of the teaching that is important, not the method.
See parable of burning house / story of raft