is an implicit feature of the doctrine of karmic retribution which presupposes responsibility for one’s thoughts, words and deeds and the capability to choose. The choice in terms of concrete action may be limited by circumstances brought about karmically, i.e. by one’s own doing in the past, but this does not change the moral dilemma or affect the ability to choose what is perceived as good or at least to abstain from evil.
The perception may, of course, be faulty and the individual ‘pays’ also for his mistakes. Therefore in the last analysis, consistent with the outlook of Hindu philosophy, the question of freedom of will is primarily the question of the search for knowledge, i.e. of choosing to search for truth, of neglecting it out of idleness or of rejecting it for immediate gain, while suppressing the thought of long-term effects. The situation of one who does not have at least a basic understanding of karmic laws or does not believe in them or has no knowledge of them equals the state of deepest ignorance conducive to wrong choices with detrimental consequences for his future lives.
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