Karma

Definition

Karma refers to the principle of cause and effect, where a person's actions directly influence their future outcomes, both in this life and in future reincarnations. This concept is foundational in several Eastern religions, highlighting the ethical dimension of one's actions and their consequences, which ultimately affects one's spiritual journey and progress towards enlightenment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Karma is often summarized by the phrase 'what goes around, comes around,' emphasizing that good actions lead to positive outcomes, while bad actions result in negative consequences.
2. In Hinduism, karma is tied closely to dharma; fulfilling one's dharma creates good karma, while failing to do so can result in bad karma.
3. In Buddhism, karma is viewed as a key factor that influences the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) until one attains enlightenment.
4. Karma is not seen as a form of punishment but rather as a natural law that reflects moral choices and helps individuals learn from their experiences.
5. Both Hinduism and Buddhism teach that understanding and transforming one's karma can lead to spiritual liberation or moksha/nirvana.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of karma influence ethical behavior within religious practices?
  • Karma plays a crucial role in shaping ethical behavior within various religious practices by encouraging individuals to consider the long-term effects of their actions. In Hinduism, for instance, adherents believe that performing good deeds not only benefits others but also accumulates positive karma for oneself. This moral framework compels individuals to act responsibly and ethically, as they recognize that their current actions will have consequences on their future lives and spiritual progress.
• Discuss how the understanding of karma varies between Hinduism and Buddhism and its implications for followers.
  • While both Hinduism and Buddhism share the belief in karma, they interpret its significance differently. In Hinduism, karma is intertwined with dharma and emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one’s duties according to their social role. Conversely, Buddhism focuses on karma as a mechanism for understanding suffering and liberation from samsara through moral actions. This distinction impacts followers' practices; Hindus may focus more on social responsibilities while Buddhists emphasize personal enlightenment through ethical conduct.
• Evaluate the impact of karma on the spiritual journeys of individuals in both Hinduism and Buddhism, considering its role in achieving moksha or nirvana.
  • Karma significantly impacts the spiritual journeys of individuals in both Hinduism and Buddhism by serving as a guiding principle for their actions and choices. In Hinduism, accumulating good karma through righteous deeds allows individuals to progress towards moksha, the liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. Similarly, in Buddhism, understanding and transforming one’s karma is essential for achieving nirvana—a state free from suffering and the endless cycle of rebirth. Thus, both religions illustrate that an individual's spiritual advancement is deeply intertwined with their moral decisions throughout their lifetime.

Related terms

Dharma: The moral and ethical duties or responsibilities that an individual must fulfill in accordance with their position in society, influencing their karma.

Reincarnation: The belief in the rebirth of the soul into a new body after death, with karma determining the circumstances of each new life.

Nirvana: A state of liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara), achieved by overcoming karma through righteous living.