ACI Class 10

Question 1

Give the three parts for Master Dharmakirti’s main proof for future lives.

Answer 1

1. Consider the mind of a normal person at the moment of death.
2. That mind will cross the line into a future mind;
3. Because that mind possesses desire.

Question 2

The desire mentioned in this proof relates to two of the twelve links of the chain of dependence in the Wheel of Life. Name them and describe their picture.

Answer 2

Link #8: Craving, represented by a man feasting.

Link #9: Grasping, represented by a monkey grasping fruit.

Question 3

Name and describe the three types of the eighth link of the chain of dependence from the Wheel of Life.

Answer 3

1. Craving desire: an emotion of craving where you desire not to lose an attractive object.
2. Craving fear: an emotion of craving where you desire to avoid unpleasant objects.
3. Craving for existence: An emotion of craving where you desire that the “me” continues to exist; this happens at the
   moment of death, when you are gripped by fear that your being
   is ending.

Question 4

The key to why craving triggers your existing karma at the moment of death is how it focuses upon yourself. Describe the four levels of focusing upon yourself, and explain
which ones can trigger this karma.

Answer 4

1. Focusing on yourself in a general way, without checking or
   examining your true nature. This state of mind is a valid
   perception and does not trigger this karma.
2. Seeing yourself as self-existent, or as having some nature of your own or as coming from your own side, and believing what you see.
   This is a mistaken state of mind which does trigger the karma
   mentioned.
3. Seeing yourself as self-existent, but not believing what you see,
   because you have previously seen emptiness directly. If this person dies without overcoming the inborn habit of seeing things as self existent, then the karma mentioned will still be triggered.
   This is why one does not stop rebirth simply by reaching the path
   of seeing, or the direct perception of emptiness.
4. Neither seeing yourself as self-existent, nor believing that you are.
   This refers to a person who has overcome even the inborn tendency of seeing things as self-existent, and does not trigger this karma.