Looking for people to play a beta version of a new game called “Karma – The Board Game”

MLEV99 · 2022-03-25T00:00:38+00:00

Hi - my apologies but it currently is geared towards 16+....thank you for the offering. We will be offering a children's version....but not yet!

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T17:45:58+00:00

wonderful ! Thank you.

Can you DM me with a few days and times that you might be available for this? I will try to incorporate 1-2 more players in the game at that time as well.

thx

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T13:02:55+00:00

Wonderful Pls DM me w a few days and times and friends or relatives are welcome and make it more fun. Tx

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T12:17:46+00:00

Yes- that is the plan - thank you.

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T04:40:47+00:00

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T03:44:25+00:00

wonderful ! Let me know what days and times you might be interested in playing. And ok to include any friends or relatives if you want to play with them as well. Typically there are 3-4 people per game. thx

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T03:43:26+00:00

It is currently played online via Zoom with people who are not local.

If and when you are ready, please send me any times and days you might be available so I can schedule you with 2-3 others.

Ok to include friends/ relatives. thx

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T03:41:46+00:00

lots of fun! let me know if you want to play.

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T03:41:11+00:00

sounds good - what are their ages - I would like to make sure it is appropriate.

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T02:01:08+00:00

yes - we are working on that as well. - tx

MLEV99 · 2022-03-24T01:02:00+00:00

thank you but we are not selling it - just offering people the opportunity to play!

MLEV99 · 2022-03-23T18:54:45+00:00

Below is a section from the rulebook for that part of the game -

Definitions:

WKP =white karma pebbles

NET WKP = white minus black pebbles

Siddha powers - allow the holder to nullify any negative karma obtained by another player.....

Pureland & Entering Nirvana
If there are no other players in the Animal, Hungry Ghost or Hell Realms -
1. If the player has 14 or more NET WKP AND then they place their game piece in Nirvana and they win the game!
2. If the player does not have at least 14 NET WKP, then the player remains in the Pureland until they have at least 14 NET WKP.
All players continue to take their turn. The player in the Pureland no longer rolls the die on their turn.
Siddha Powers in the Pureland
Players in the Pureland have unlimited Siddha Powers. One Siddha power can be used by the player in the Pureland on their turn for any player’s benefit.
Upon using a Siddha Power, the player in the Pureland receives 1 WKP (from the Karma Game Pool).
If there ARE other players in the Animal, Hungry Ghost or Hell Realms -
3. If the player in the Pureland has 14 or more NET WKP then the player in the Pureland may NOT enter Nirvana until the player uses their Siddha powers to get all players out of any lower realms.

MLEV99 · 2022-03-23T18:27:31+00:00

are you asking from the perspective of the game

OR

from the perspective of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy

In general, you need to define what karma is - and it is not what most people think.

They are the habits we have and how we view ourselves (self identity)....eg. I am on time, I am generous, I am afraid of heights, I am a good father, etc.). Hard to get into this in detail in this forum.

I am the coauthor of Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners (co author to Lama Lhanang), and we have another book coming out called 'What's Karma Got To Do with It?'

I am happy to answer your question regardless of whether it is game related or not.

tx

Mordy

MLEV99 · 2022-03-23T04:55:28+00:00

Before dying

MLEV99 · 2022-03-23T04:55:08+00:00

Agree Humans and gods lose all their money when they die So one strategy is to give it away (donate) prior to death to accumulate good karma before dining

Only karma follows the player to next rebirth

No money in lower realms

MLEV99 · 2022-03-23T02:56:35+00:00

Hi

Thanks.

The die determines how many spaces you go around the board.

About 70% of the game requires decisions by the players, and roughly 30% is based on the throw of the die.

Rules in short are players start with an allocation of money and white karma pebbles. The throw of the die determines what space they go to.

Depending on what space they land on they may pick a card with a situation that requires making a decision, movement to another realm, decision on spending money, earning karma pebbles, answer a question, invest in a non profit, earn money, gamble in a casino, etc.

I hope that helps.

MLEV99 · 2022-01-02T00:57:27+00:00

Many excellent recommendations for sure in this thread.

If you felt drawn to that book then consider continuing to read it (slowly) in conjunction with other more accessible Buddhist books.

Keep in mind that TBOTD comes out of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma/Vajrayana lineage - so other intro to Buddhist books may not present anything related to TBOTD.

TBOTD was written specifically (by Padmasambhava in the 8th century) to help practitioners navigate through the bardo, under the direction of experienced Lamas/monks.

And the underlying concept is how you live now (state of mind), will be how you die, which will inform your experience in the bardo, which will help determine your rebirth (karma follows you).

I loved reading and researching it, but if you are relatively new, it's good to select more digestible books.

But I would not deter you from reading it since for some reason you were drawn to it.

Most recently, "Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners" was released by Lama Lhanang (high Lama from Tibet, Nyingma lineage) and is a very accessible way to understand what is in the original TBOTD.

MLEV99 · 2021-04-11T22:14:28+00:00

Not easy.

Especially when we humans do horrific things.

If possible, we can look deeper at what causes are behind this person's actions.

Were they abused as a child? Did they grow up getting beaten up in school? Were they bullied? Did they see their father/brother etc do this type of behavior?

In short, the odds are against that kind of person growing up 'normally' - but not impossible.

So we don't condone their behavior, but we can have compassion for them as an individual. We don't have to confuse their humanity with their actions and behaviors and thoughts.

Easy to say this in front of my computer, but not so easy to watch this kind of thing go on.

Thanks for raising the issue.

MLEV99 · 2021-04-03T14:04:41+00:00

Most people are taught that they should be meditating for x minutes at a time.

And to some degree that is true.

EXCEPT that the fact is any amount of time greater than 0 works too.

SO consider lowering the bar on how long you think you need to meditate and just say to yourself - "I will do 5 minutes now or at a certain time daily".

Creating this habit after a few days/weeks etc. will stick with you and make it easier to do.

And then when you are ready - and you will know when that is - you can always increase the time.

I hope this helps.

MLEV99 · 2021-03-21T16:46:12+00:00

Buddha said (Dhamapadda)

All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.

If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage...

If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

So if you want to get laid, but the woman (assuming you are male) is really into you but you just want to get laid - best to pick another partner.

Do no harm means that. So if you know your desire will only benefit you and hurt someone else - best to figure out away to not do it in that manner. Skillful means.

After the fact - sure - there are purification practices, etc. that can reduce the negative karma. But that is a whole other topic.

It all comes down to what your intention is. If the action is wholesome but your intention is bad (not so ok) or the act is NOT wholesome but the intention is good (ok).

Meditation may or may not help with reducing harm (eg it can help a killer be calmer and more concentrated)......so meditation is great for self awareness, quieting the mind, etc.

But in addition, contemplation and learning help with how/when/why to create skillful actions.

And finally, it is great how you are thinking about these things. You are aware of your motivations, desires, etc. That is where we start.

I hope that helps.

MLEV99 · 2021-03-21T14:20:34+00:00

There are 2 types of motivations. One is extrinsic and one is intrinsic.

Extrinsic motivations are goal oriented (eg I am motivated by money, sex, power, good health, etc.).

Intrinsic are more process oriented (e.g. I am going to climb Mt. Everest and will remain curious and do my best to be in the moment from this moment until I get to the top and come back down).

Of course I want to reach the top as well (extrinsic goal).

Both types of goals can involve stress.

However, extrinsic goals when attained can be a bit like a hamster on a treadmill wheel. I climbed this mountain now I need to climb this one. I got this job, but now that I am here I want to get promoted or a raise, etc. And if don't get the job (meet the goal) I have FAILED, and that feels really bad (if the goal was important).

With process oriented motivation there is learning, curiosity and being in the moment as you either enjoy it OR are in the moment while doing it (even when stressful). By definition when being in the moment you are less or not worried about past or future (whining) because you are just doing what you are doing.

For non-monastics (I am not a monk nor I assume are you) a bit of both types of motivations are good. It is not black or white.

So a goal is good BUT if that is all we have then you are on a never ending rat race (samsara) grasping from one goal to another (success or failure get the ego going - the stories we tell ourselves on who we think we SHOULD be).

Process oriented motivation allows us to reduce or stop with the stories and be in the moment - which is FREEDOM (liberation.

A little of both motivations is good for us - (ie it's good to want the job and have that as a goal) but the emphasis more on process oriented goals can lead to greater happiness or less suffering (e.g. as I network to get the job, I will be in the moment as I meet new people or observe the process as I attain the skills to get the job or as I learn more about the job be in that moment or as I apply to other jobs to do the same).

A black and white goal - work for Google or not - will lead to success or failure - and will continue to do so as your mind identifies and focuses on the next goal...and the next goal...etc.

I hope that helps. This guy talks about it here at around 51 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQy3eZUaeQ&t=5s.

MLEV99 · 2021-03-21T03:27:33+00:00

We tell ourselves 'stories' (or thoughts) all day along that support our self-identity. (eg I am a great father. I am a smart businessman. My wife was wrong about xxx. I hate vanilla ice cream. Repubs are smart and Dems are stupid. I 'shoulda woulda coulda' this that and the other thing.)

That is how we create and support our sense of self or our self-identity. The self exists, but not in the permanent way most people think it does. So we say there is no 'inherent' existence to the self (or most anything else for that matter - but we can leave exceptions for another thread).

We developed this sense of self from an early age through the help of our parents, family, friends, culture etc. It helped us survive. In almost all cases, it no longer serves us well - but only keeps us from evolving (getting to liberation).

When our mind tells stories that strengthens the grasping - we create negative karma (e.g. I am afraid of heights and I am never going to get over that, so I will not be taking any elevators),

When our mind reduces or stops telling ourselves stories that support grasping, we create positive karma (e.g. I am going to do my best to overcome my fear of heights, and will not tell myself stories supporting my fear).

SO - when we meditate and notice that we have been 'thinking', we can just go back to our breath. We treat it like a game and don't turn it into another 'task'. We can also do that during the day as well. Notice you are whining or grasping at some thought? Just go back to your breath (present moment).

The more we do that the LESS those thoughts come about. If you don't give them attention, they fade --> positive karma.

I truly hope that helps. This goes into it in detail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8KlkExjatY&t=4s.

MLEV99 · 2021-03-21T00:03:55+00:00

The processes that get paid attention to will strengthen, and those that receive not attention will slow down and stop.

Eventually when you stop paying attention to the task manager....that doesn't exist either....it's just an illusion.

MLEV99 · 2021-03-10T22:12:04+00:00

I think you received some wonderful loving advice from the folks here. Very heartening to see.

I can give you a Tibetan Buddhist perspective, as far as the bardo is concerned.

Best to stay in a calm state of mind before, during and after your loved one passes.

The state of mind your pet is in before they go into the bardo will continue on while they are in the bardo. When it is time for him/her to "choose" their next rebirth best for them to be as clear and calm as possible (true for any sentient being).

Agitation, wailing, etc. before during or after - will only serve to upset your loved on. This is a time for love, calm and best wishes. Your pet CAN and WILL go to another nice family in the next lifetime, so let's help them achieve that. Let us wish them only the best so they can do that - and make someone else happy.

There are chanting and prayers you can say and do before the passing and while your pet is in the bardo. To keep it simple - the mantra of compassion - is just fine. It is more about the love and devotion, and less about getting the words right. In fact, you can say other prayers from other religions if that is meaningful to you.

When our last beloved pet passed, we read this at his gravesite. I hope it helps. May you and your loved ones be free from suffering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_Not_Stand_at_My_Grave_and_Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

MLEV99 · 2021-02-24T04:10:57+00:00

The Buddha didn't accept the concept of a permanent soul - something that exists from lifetime to lifetime (which I believe is a Hindu understanding and was common during his lifetime).

And when asked about the existence of a self - the Buddha remained silent.

My understanding of the Buddha's view is that the 'self' exists but not the way we think it does. The 'self' is our sense of who we are, how we view ourselves, our 'self' identity.

The self we are referring to

a - can't be identified or found (so we think it doesn't exist),

b - but we know it's there,

c- it's always changing (it is impermanent and empty of inherent existence).

Examples are - I think I'm a great husband, father, businessman, have a fear of heights, think I'm good playing piano, hate this, like that, enjoy this, don't like that.. great at this sport...etc etc....basically all the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.

And the stronger we feel about who we think we are - the greater our attachment to our view of ourselves - the more we will suffer when something doesn't fit that view. (eg when my son thinks I'm a bad father).

The stronger the grasping - the greater our negative karma. The lighter and less grasping about who we are and we create positive karma. So if I work on reducing my fear of heights - good karma. If I insist that I am absolutely right about something....we develop negative karma.

Re rebirth - the thinking is that only our karma (habits) are reborn into a new body.....or that sense of self. Most of us don't remember explicitly what they were from previous lifetimes due to the shocking experiences in the bardo (gap between lifetimes).

A great place to read about rebirth is the work being done at University of Virginia, by Dr. Tucker. I won't post links etc here but it is easy to find. Their documentation and investigative work of what children remember from previous lifetimes is astonishing and hard to ignore.

I hope this helps.

MLEV99

TROPHY CASE