Do you take responsibility for the circumstaces of your birth?

Question

Or were you born into circumstance that were beyond your control?

Answer 1

This is an interesting question relating to Karma and I'd like to answer it from a Buddhist perspective if I may.

I am a Theravada Buddhist.

To Buddhists, Karma plays a pivotal role in Life. It is often said that to understand what you were like in a previous Life, then look at the circumstances in your present Life.

Buddhists consider that the accumulated Karma of our previous Lives, when acting upon our Unconscious Life Stream is the cause for a Rebirth. Our own Karma is then acted upon by both of our parent's Karma and such results in the circumstances of our Rebirth into this Life.
Edit: I am saying here that our parent's Karma acted upon us in that they provided the actions, the consequence of which actions was and is your body. Without the actions of your parents, you would not now exist in the body and circumstances in which you were born. They provided the actions, the DNA, and the Zygote, your form is a direct result or consequence of their actions. Your body and circumstances would be entirely different had they acted differently, because you would then be born of different parents. Karma is not static, it is very dynamic.

That previous Life's Karma is the result of previous actions. It is only necessary to take responsibility for our present circumstances which is it's consequence and to take subsequent responsibility for present actions and the subsequent consequences of those actions.

The circumstances of our present Rebirth are the consequence of those previous actions. We cannot change those consequences, yet we can control and change our present actions which will, with wisdom, provide for a better and happier future..

Peace from a buddhist...

Answer 2

Shane, this is exactly where Im at right now. This is exactly what Im working on emotionally & spiritually.
Did I really choose this birth?
Did I choose that abusive father, emotionally numb mother, hardship as a single parent, followed by living alone for 19 years, running away from men & trying to come to terms with all that I had been through?
Did I choose this birth to learn such harsh lessons?
Yes I think so.
I must have been dreadful in a previous life.

With love.

Answer 3

I have no control over how and where I was born.

I can only control how I live my life from now on.


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Answer 4

One is always born into circumstances in which they cannot control but if it isn't to your liking it then becomes your responsibility to enact the changes you'd like to see.

Answer 5

Sadhu 3x to Gaz for giving a Buddhist answer.Just like to add that the present life is determine by the past kamma;the present kamma will determine the future life.

Answer 6

The circumstances of your birth are beyond your control. Everything you do once you are here is entirely up to you.

Answer 7

No to the first question and yes to the second question.

However once we reach the age of accountability. We are most certainly responsible for how we ran the race and where we finish the race. Heaven or Hell.

Answer 8

beyond your control, everyone has a purpose whether born into wealth or poverty marriage or outside of it follow gods plan for your life and see what the true meaning of your life is

Answer 9

Oh, no, I absolutely had total control over the cirmstances of my birth.

WHAT!?

We were all born into circumstances that were out of our control.

Answer 10

How can anyone be responsible for the circumstances of their birth?