On the side of merit, it includes such things as the giving of alms in the bowls of bhikkhus, keeping a guard on one’s morality, and paying respect by reciting the chants every day. This leads to the realms of good fortune, which include the human realm, and the six Heaven realms; the realm which one attains being in accordance with one’s actions. If one has no Habitual Kamma, there is still the third type of kamma.
3. Proximate (Maranasanna& #3642;) Kamma. This is kamma which is done just before death. At this time, if one has thoughts of evil, one will tend to go towards an evil realm; whereas if they are good, then towards a good realm.
If one does not have this type of kamma, there is still the fourth which is of a very weak nature.
4. Performed (Kat& #3642;atta) Kamma. This is kamma which is “merely done” without thought or volition of merit or demerit.2
These are the four types of kamma. Concerning the Heavy Kamma and the Performed Katnma, both of these types are infrequenty done and their nature is distinct and clear cut.
The remaining two types are Habitual Kamma and Proximate Kamma. If one wants to know to which realm beings will go when they die, then the most important one to examine is the Proximate Kamma, this being the kamma which is done close to the time of death.
If the outflowing Citta is associated with any object which arises in one of the sense doors (Dvara Sammuti), these being the eye, ear, tongue, body and mind: and if one grasps at that object which comes through one of the sense doors and clings to it, then, when the sense doors cease to function (i.e: when approaching death) one’s Mind Door receives that object& #3642; which may be from the past or present.
When something is done in the past or present, one’s Mind door receives and stores something which corresponds to that thing (i.e: Kamma). When the sense doors cease to function, the Citta which is free of doors (Dvara Vimutti. this is the same as the Descending Citta Cuti Citta), is presented with the image (Aram man& #3642;a) of that thing, which is called the “Symbol of Kamma” (Kamma nimitta). This is like seeing things in a dream state.
If one’s sense doors have been associated with Joyous objects, then the Citta which is free of doors is presented with joyous objects, then the “Representation Symbol” (Gati Nimitta) which one sees, is something which is good. If one attains human status, then one should see something which is auspicious such as a large city, a race of people, a particular country, or a family of distinction such as that of an eminent man or royalty. If one is to attain the Heaven States, then one will perhaps see palaces of silver and gold with celestial females in attendance.
These states are the results of good kamma, the particular state that is attained depending on tha nature and strength of one’s kamma.