<p>In the <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.021.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sivaka Sutta (SN36.21)</a>, the Buddha explains that not all experiences are caused by kamma. Sometimes, it's just the weather or something else that's not extraordinarily significant. Not everything happens for a reason.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, "Master Gotama,
  there are some brahmans &amp; contemplatives who are of this doctrine,
  this view: Whatever an individual feels — pleasure, pain,
  neither-pleasure-nor-pain — is entirely caused by what was done
  before. Now what does Master Gotama say to that?"</p>
  
  <p>[The Buddha:] "There are cases where some feelings arise based on
  bile. You yourself should know how some feelings arise based on
  bile. Even the world is agreed on how some feelings arise based on
  bile. So any brahmans &amp; contemplatives who are of the doctrine &amp; view
  that whatever an individual feels — pleasure, pain,
  neither-pleasure-nor-pain — is entirely caused by what was done before
  — slip past what they themselves know, slip past what is agreed on by
  the world. Therefore I say that those brahmans &amp; contemplatives are
  wrong."</p>
  
  <p>"There are cases where some feelings arise based on phlegm... based on
  internal winds... based on a combination of bodily humors... from the
  change of the seasons... from uneven care of the body... from harsh
  treatment... from the result of kamma. You yourself should know how
  some feelings arise from the result of kamma. Even the world is agreed
  on how some feelings arise from the result of kamma. So any brahmans &amp;
  contemplatives who are of the doctrine &amp; view that whatever an
  individual feels — pleasure, pain, neither pleasure-nor-pain — is
  entirely caused by what was done before — slip past what they
  themselves know, slip past what is agreed on by the world. Therefore I
  say that those brahmans &amp; contemplatives are wrong."</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-08T00:15:39.640Z
2017-11-08T00:15:39.640Z
ruben2020
<p>In general, of course, unlikely events are accidental. And physical events, such as an earthquake, are always accidental. But, if an event, such as meeting someone seemingly by accident, is caused by somebody making decisions, it is remotely possible that karma may be involved. Old friends for previous lifetimes sometimes seek one another out by unconsciously making the right decisions that lead to an “accidental” meeting. Such events are rare. And, when they do occur, there is usually supporting evidence, such as finding one another very familiar in the case of a meeting of old friends. I would suggest that you look for substantial evidence before “embracing” such an event, especially if it requires significant cost or sacrifice.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-09T19:02:17.100Z
2017-11-09T19:02:17.100Z
Ronald Cowen
<p>People normaly act "for a reason" but to put it right, phenomenas arise "out of reason", have causes. So by focus just on giving right causes, phenomenas appear likewise, are experianced according the causes given. The highest cause to go beyound being subject to causes, is the fullfilment of the Eightfold path. There <em>is</em> just one unconditioned Dhamma, yet not to be found without giving the right causes.</p>

<p>All beyond that, beyond <a href="http://zugangzureinsicht.org/html/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.023.than_en.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the all</a>, is just philosophy.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>'Repudiating this All, I will describe another,' if questioned on what exactly might be the grounds for his statement, would be unable to explain, and furthermore, would be put to grief. Why? Because it lies beyond range."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>One saying: "Not everything happens for (better 'out of') a reason." would not speak in accordiance with the Dhamma, does not flow in the stream of Dhamma. Since: <a href="http://zugangzureinsicht.org/html/tipitaka/sn/sn25/sn25.004.than_en.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">By touch</a> dhammas are experianced. Every explaining else is not really possible and subject to errors. <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.021.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Suttas</a> have to be readed carefully, with proper attention, seeking release not something to grasp. Otherwise the Dhamma is like a snake grasp on its tail.</p>

<p><em>[Note: This is a gift of Dhamma and not meant for commercial purpose or other low wordily gains by means of trade and exchange.]</em></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-09T04:02:53.903Z
2017-11-09T04:16:02.617Z
2017-11-09T04:16:02.617Z
Samana Johann
<p>Yes. Everything happens because of a reason, a cause. Otherwise there can be no enlightenment.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-09T12:03:53.500Z
2017-11-09T12:03:53.500Z
tutu
<p>My teacher taught me that I must choose how I interpret such events in whichever way that produces the most wholesome mindstates.</p>

<p>So if thinking that this event was a sign from the hidden nature of things and held special significance makes you stronger, go for it with no hesitation. This is called, utilizing the power of faith.</p>

<p>In Varjrayana we learn to see hidden connections between things, hidden patterns and relationships. So having a sense of intuition for special events in one's life is important in our practice. In the absence of egoistic desires, and the baselessness of Emptiness, how else can we pick the course of action? So we choose to interpret things in a certain way, and act based on that. It's more an art than a science but there is a system to it. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-08T01:17:59.490Z
2017-11-08T01:17:59.490Z
Andriy Volkov
<p>Nothing happens for a reason. Reason is something given by us. 
Everything except Nibbana happens &amp; happens due to causes. Nibbana doesn't happen, it is existent. Thus not caused.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-11T01:22:39.770Z
@ParanoidPanda Everything does not happen for the reason it's done. Ex: People smoke to entertain themselves. They do not smoke to get lung cancer. But it happens.
Sankha Kulathantille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-11T12:49:11.237Z
@ParanoidPanda this is a reason made up by you. :)
Sankha Kulathantille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-09T02:10:12.317Z
2017-11-09T02:10:12.317Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<p>If something unexpected (and incredibly unlikely) happens, should we take it as something deeper or just a fact of life?</p>

<p>Something highly unlikely and very positive happened at a very bad and negative point in my life, this event arguably showed a very different future to the one I imagined.</p>

<p>Don't know how to read into it, or how my actions should be after the event, should I embrace the change?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-08T06:06:03.537Z
Does everything happen for a reason? No. But yes. Everything which happens, has already happened and we are living out the shadow of the reality in which we manifested. So if you take 'reason' to be a causal relationship between you and the universe, then no. But if you take reason to be the defining purpose for all living creatures in existence, then yes. Should you embraced the change? you either already have, or haven't. You can probably feel which one you chose, it just a matter of accepting the one you already chose, not 'choosing'.
samazi
<personal-practice>
Does everything happen for a reason?
# Does everything happen for a reason?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-07)

If something unexpected (and incredibly unlikely) happens, should we take it as something deeper or just a fact of life?

Something highly unlikely and very positive happened at a very bad and negative point in my life, this event arguably showed a very different future to the one I imagined.

Don't know how to read into it, or how my actions should be after the event, should I embrace the change?

**Tags:** personal-practice

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Does everything happen for a reason? No. But yes. Everything which happens, has already happened and we are living out the shadow of the reality in which we manifested. So if you take 'reason' to be a causal relationship between you and the universe, then no. But if you take reason to be the defining purpose for all living creatures in existence, then yes. Should you embraced the change? you either already have, or haven't. You can probably feel which one you chose, it just a matter of accepting the one you already chose, not 'choosing'.  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-11-08. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

My teacher taught me that I must choose how I interpret such events in whichever way that produces the most wholesome mindstates.

So if thinking that this event was a sign from the hidden nature of things and held special significance makes you stronger, go for it with no hesitation. This is called, utilizing the power of faith.

In Varjrayana we learn to see hidden connections between things, hidden patterns and relationships. So having a sense of intuition for special events in one's life is important in our practice. In the absence of egoistic desires, and the baselessness of Emptiness, how else can we pick the course of action? So we choose to interpret things in a certain way, and act based on that. It's more an art than a science but there is a system to it.


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2017-11-09. Score: 5

Nothing happens for a reason. Reason is something given by us.
Everything except Nibbana happens & happens due to causes. Nibbana doesn't happen, it is existent. Thus not caused.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: @ParanoidPanda Everything does not happen for the reason it's done. Ex: People smoke to entertain themselves. They do not smoke to get lung cancer. But it happens.  
> **username_7**: @ParanoidPanda this is a reason made up by you. :)  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-11-08. Score: 2

In the [Sivaka Sutta (SN36.21)](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.021.than.html), the Buddha explains that not all experiences are caused by kamma. Sometimes, it's just the weather or something else that's not extraordinarily significant. Not everything happens for a reason.

> As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, "Master Gotama,
> there are some brahmans & contemplatives who are of this doctrine,
> this view: Whatever an individual feels — pleasure, pain,
> neither-pleasure-nor-pain — is entirely caused by what was done
> before. Now what does Master Gotama say to that?"
>
> [The Buddha:] "There are cases where some feelings arise based on
> bile. You yourself should know how some feelings arise based on
> bile. Even the world is agreed on how some feelings arise based on
> bile. So any brahmans & contemplatives who are of the doctrine & view
> that whatever an individual feels — pleasure, pain,
> neither-pleasure-nor-pain — is entirely caused by what was done before
> — slip past what they themselves know, slip past what is agreed on by
> the world. Therefore I say that those brahmans & contemplatives are
> wrong."
>
> "There are cases where some feelings arise based on phlegm... based on
> internal winds... based on a combination of bodily humors... from the
> change of the seasons... from uneven care of the body... from harsh
> treatment... from the result of kamma. You yourself should know how
> some feelings arise from the result of kamma. Even the world is agreed
> on how some feelings arise from the result of kamma. So any brahmans &
> contemplatives who are of the doctrine & view that whatever an
> individual feels — pleasure, pain, neither pleasure-nor-pain — is
> entirely caused by what was done before — slip past what they
> themselves know, slip past what is agreed on by the world. Therefore I
> say that those brahmans & contemplatives are wrong."


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-11-09. Score: 0

In general, of course, unlikely events are accidental. And physical events, such as an earthquake, are always accidental. But, if an event, such as meeting someone seemingly by accident, is caused by somebody making decisions, it is remotely possible that karma may be involved. Old friends for previous lifetimes sometimes seek one another out by unconsciously making the right decisions that lead to an “accidental” meeting. Such events are rare. And, when they do occur, there is usually supporting evidence, such as finding one another very familiar in the case of a meeting of old friends. I would suggest that you look for substantial evidence before “embracing” such an event, especially if it requires significant cost or sacrifice.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-11-09. Score: 0

People normaly act "for a reason" but to put it right, phenomenas arise "out of reason", have causes. So by focus just on giving right causes, phenomenas appear likewise, are experianced according the causes given. The highest cause to go beyound being subject to causes, is the fullfilment of the Eightfold path. There *is* just one unconditioned Dhamma, yet not to be found without giving the right causes.

All beyond that, beyond [the all](http://zugangzureinsicht.org/html/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.023.than_en.html), is just philosophy.

> 'Repudiating this All, I will describe another,' if questioned on what exactly might be the grounds for his statement, would be unable to explain, and furthermore, would be put to grief. Why? Because it lies beyond range."

One saying: "Not everything happens for (better 'out of') a reason." would not speak in accordiance with the Dhamma, does not flow in the stream of Dhamma. Since: [By touch](http://zugangzureinsicht.org/html/tipitaka/sn/sn25/sn25.004.than_en.html) dhammas are experianced. Every explaining else is not really possible and subject to errors. [Suttas](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn36/sn36.021.than.html) have to be readed carefully, with proper attention, seeking release not something to grasp. Otherwise the Dhamma is like a snake grasp on its tail.

*[Note: This is a gift of Dhamma and not meant for commercial purpose or other low wordily gains by means of trade and exchange.]*


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-11-09. Score: -1

Yes. Everything happens because of a reason, a cause. Otherwise there can be no enlightenment.


---

