Definition
In Indian traditions, karma refers to action and its consequences, with different interpretations according to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
In Indian traditions, karma refers first to action and its consequences. According to schools, it concerns moral intent, acts, their effects and sometimes rebirths. It should not be reduced to an immediate reward or used to make a person responsible for the misfortunes that she experiences.
To be retained
- Understanding karma as action and consequence
- Give a central place to the
- Respecting the diversity of doctrines
- Refusal of any guilt of victims
Origin of the term and context
Karma is a Sanskrit word meaning "action". Depending on traditions, it may concern the ritual act, moral intention, future consequences or rebirth conditions.
Why does it matter?
Karma calls for serious consideration of the effect of intentions and acts. It should not be used to blame a person who is the victim of illness, poverty or violence.
- Promoting ethical accountability
- Linking acts to their consequences
- Structure a spiritual vision of existence
- Not constituting a demonstrated scientific fact
How can I practice it?
- Observe intent before acting
- Consider the foreseeable consequences
- Repair when an act has harmed
- Refusing fatalism
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Karma is not just an immediate cosmic punishment.
- It does not justify inequality.
- Indian schools do not all interpret it in the same way.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Hinduism: action, duty and rebirth according to schools.
- Buddhism: intention as central element of karma.
- Jainism: karma conceived as a subtle matter binding the soul.
To go further
- The Bhagavad-Gītā
- The Dhammapada
- What Is Karma? — Traleg Kyabgon