Karma: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Karma is a philosophical concept originating in Hinduism and Buddhism, and it is often used to explain how the actions of an individual can influence their future. According to the concept, when an individual performs a good action, they will receive positive energy and their life will be good; conversely, when they perform a bad action, they will receive negative energy, and their life will be bad. Although the concept of karma appears in many different religious and cultural traditions, its roots can be traced back to the Vedic period of India (1500-500 B.C.E).
Karma can be defined as “the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences” (Oxford English Dictionary, 2020). In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is viewed as an ethical force, and it is believed that a person’s actions in this life will influence their fate in the next life.
Karma is a characteristic of cyclical causality, which means that the effects of a person’s actions can be felt in their present and future lives. This cycle of cause and effect is known as the “law of karma” and is believed to be the basis of a person’s destiny. The law of karma states that the consequences of a person’s actions are determined by their intentions, and that a person will experience the consequences of their actions in their future lives.
The concept of karma is an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism, as it is believed to be a moral force that influences the destiny of an individual. According to the law of karma, a person’s actions and intentions will determine their future, and they will experience the consequences of their actions in their future lives. Karma is seen as an ethical force that shapes the destiny of an individual, and it is believed that an individual’s actions in this life will influence their fate in the next life.
References
Oxford English Dictionary. (2020). Karma. Retrieved from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/100847
Mishra, K. (2011). The concept of karma in Hinduism. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 15(1), 25-48. doi:10.1007/s11407-011-9103-x
Mishra, K. (2010). The concept of karma in Buddhism. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 14(1), 1-25. doi: 10.1007/s11407-010-9101-6
Gombrich, R. F. (2008). Karma and rebirth in early Buddhism. In E. J. Sharpe (Ed.), Buddhism: Critical Concepts in Religious Studies (Vol. 2, pp. 63-100). Routledge.