Karma is a concept that has a few definitions, specifically in Hinduism and Buddhism. It refers to the relationship between a persons mental or physical action and the consequences following that action. Karma is often misunderstood as fate, destiny, or predetermination, but it is actually a concept of action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequence. The common sayings “what goes around...comes around” and “what you sow is what you reap” are great examples of how karma works.
In Hinduism, karma signifies the consequences of all the actions of a person in their current and previous lives and the chain of cause and effect in morality. In Buddhism, karma refers to the principle of cause and effect, where the result of an action, which can be verbal, mental, or physical, is not determined only by the act but also the intention.
Karma can be individual or collective. For example, individual karma is created by a person’s thoughts, words, and actions. But when people act as a group, like when soldiers use weapons or when a religious group prays or meditates, they create collective karma.
Karma is not a moral justice system, and it is not about punishment or reward. It is simply the law of cause and effect. It is important to understand the root meaning of familiar Eastern principles like karma so that we don’t perpetuate an unfounded belief system.
