Asannakamma

Abstract

Asannakamma is one of four types of kamma, classified by weight, which can be divided into: 1) gurukamma, weighty kamma causing one to fall into hell, 2) bahulakamma, habitual kamma, 3) asannakamma, death proximate kamma, and 4) katatta vapana kamma, kamma conducted by carelessness. Asannakamma is important because it affects those who die on whether they will go to heaven or hell, when their mind is extinguished. If the mind is not sad, it will lead to heaven. However, if the mind is sad, it will lead to hell. Therefore, while we are still alive, we should do good deeds, make merit, be honest, be generous, have mercy constantly, make a lot of charities, avoid wrongdoings, cheating, cruelty, being unkind, angry, and revengeful. We do not create bad deeds because when we nearly die, the mind will recognize only the pictures of good deeds conducted causing the mind to be away from sadness and the soul to rest in peace as written in Pali scripture, jitte asangilitte sukati patigankha (When the mind is not sad, it will lead to heaven.) and jitte sangilitte tukkati patigankha (When the mind is sad, it will lead to hell).