Deed and Retribution in Indian Buddhism: The Concept of Karma in the Abhidharmakosa and its Commentaries

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The concept of karma (Sanskrit karman, deed) plays a critical role in all Buddhist traditions. However, explanations of the functioning of the retribution of deeds are rare in early Buddhist sutras. Only later works belonging to the Abhidharma ([teachings] on the constituents of existence) tradition explicate in more detail how bodily, verbal and mental activities are registered and mature into a karmic result. In this context different types of karma are identified, and the intention underlying the deeds is considered so as to determine their moral quality, that is, whether they are meritorious or not. Furthermore, different practices are set forth that counteract the retribution of bad deeds, and feelings resulting from specific acts are explained. A particularly unusual category (at least from a contemporary perspective) is to be found in the postulation of a particular form of subtle matter called non-information, which accounts for the ripening of karma acquired in meditative states or of deeds committed by somebody else on one-s own behalf.The main source of the present research project is a 8th/9th-century Sanskrit manuscript that only recently has become accessible and is presumed to be among the oldest Sanskrit manuscripts kept in Tibet. It is the sole exemplar of a text attributed to Sthiramati (6th cent.) and is a commentary on the Abhidharmakosa, entitled The Truth, a Commentary on the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Tattvartha Abhidharmakosatika). As the most elaborate commentary on the Abhidharmakosa, which is one of the key works of the Indian and Tibetan Abhidharma tradition, it is of extraordinary importance for the investigation of the history of Buddhist thought. Befitting the importance of the Abhidharmakosa corpus, large parts were translated into Tibetan, Chinese, Uyghur, Mongolian and Tocharian, and it came to provide the basis and starting point for the rich commentarial traditions that developed beyond India in Central and East Asia. Also for contemporary Buddhologists the Abhidharmakosa with its commentaries is the principal source for definitions and explanations of Buddhist concepts.The present research project is dedicated to the fourth chapter of Sthiramati-s commentary, namely the chapter dealing with the concept of karma. In addition to a critical edition and annotated English translation, it will include a detailed historical and philosophical analysis.