2006-09-20 12:15:31 · 15 answers · asked by mary_n_the_lamb 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Karma is the effect of our actions, in a spiritual manner. It's the name for the concept that says, "What goes around, comes around."
It can also be a basic set of spiritual laws that help us to understand the consequences of our actions, especially in the realm of reincarnation.
Reincarnationists tend to believe in Karmic law, as a part of the basic construction of their spiritual universe. Basically, if you treat people poorly in this life, your next life experience may have remedial (or corporal) situations because of your behaviour in this life. Same is true if you're virtuous in this life. In the next life, you may be rewarded in some way.
Also, serious reincarnationists do not believe you can "come back as a dog" or a car or a horse. You can only ascend, meaning the whole point of reincarnation is to graduate each life up to the next level of spiritual evolution.
It's a good thing.
2006-09-20 12:24:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The majority of the answers here are somewhat accurate. I would just like to add a few points.
One is the reason for Karma. This universe and all of reality within it and without of it, were created, having as a guide, a set of Universal Laws. Call them what you will, Natural Laws, Laws of Physics etc. etc. The purpose, or end result of these laws, is that all things remain in Balance. We have black for white, left for right, good for evil and on and on.
That which created this universe and those laws, does not break them. (There are no such things as miracles, only as of yet unknown physical laws)
With this in mind, you can envision that whatever action you may say, do or even think about, the universe, in seeking balance will
create the conditions to achieve that balance. Believe what you will about when it will happen, but it will happen. The universe cannot be out of balance.
Also I would like to add in, that there can also be collective, or group Karma. This meaning that the actions of a group of people can create situations where that same group may reap the return of whatever Karma they are entitled to. You may think of this in terms of Nations or races of people who in some way have a particular type of Karma coming their way, either good or bad.
The effect that that nation or group has upon the "Balance" will create what ever Karma is appropriate to maintain equilibrium.
Be an example for others, work for peace
2006-09-20 12:49:22 · answer #2 · answered by fra_bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Karma (Sanskrit: à¤à¤°à¥à¤® from the root ká¹, "to do", [meaning deed] meaning action, effect, destiny) means "(the result of) action", generally taken as a term that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. Individuals go through certain processes and accompanying experiences throughout their lives which they have chosen, and those would be based on the results of their own creations: "karma". Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward. Karma simply deals with what is.
The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy brought to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well.
2006-09-20 12:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is all "Reality enjoying Itself." We have ALL already succeeded. We ARE ONE; we are each, ALL. We just can't see it, yet!
Seems difficult to grasp, at first, but it is quite simple, really.
Karma basically means that "as ye sow, so shall ye reap."
What kind of person you choose to be creates the future that you will have.
Actions have reactions.
If you live in the negative, and expect the negative; that is what you will get.
If you are closed, you will repel people.
If you are positive and open, and expect good, that is what you will find, and draw to yourself.
One must repeat the same lessons, over and over, until they have been learned. How you act shows (IS) what you have learned.
As you learn this life's lessons, you go on to the next (lessons). If your behavior (what you ARE) shows that you have not learned, you repeat. The layers are worn away.
As you advance, you release yourself, and move on...
NO ONE fails. EVERYONE succeeds. Some just take longer (more lessons) than others. :-))
I think Karma equals "live and learn." It is all about wearing away the layers of illusion and ignorance.
It is about living and learing, until the layers of illusion and ignorance are worn away.
As one suffers (repeats mistakes), one learns, and GROWS. One sees that "separation" is error.
The barriers are wasted away. One sees that what one is becoming - has ALWAYS BEEN.
"As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end..." :-))
2006-09-20 12:18:55 · answer #4 · answered by zen 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Any action, desire, or thought that does not have the attitude of pure love for the Lord and His service reaps a material reaction. So to become free from all karmic reactions means to become fully immersed in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Otherwise, whether it is "good" or "bad" karma, has ultimately the same effect-- the reactions keep us in ignorance and bondage in this material world. Suppose you are very charitable and give everything you possess to others. On the material level this action is in the mode of goodness, but it is still material. Therefore, you will have to remain in the material world so that at some future time you can reap the reward of that good action and be promoted to a heavenly planet or be rewarded with wealth. However, once you are thus rewarded and you use up the results of your good actions, suffering in the lower modes of ignorance and passion will automatically follow. Just as when we use up a bank account by constant spending, we deplete our stock of good results by enjoyment of sense pleasures which come to us by our good and pious activities.
To avoid all suffering in the material world we should surrender ourselves to the Supreme Lord -- give up all desires for personal benefit and enjoyment and desire only to serve the Lord. This will end all karmic reactions because service to the Lord is transcendental, completely spiritual, and creates no material reaction. When all of our karmic reactions are completely finished by devotional service, bhakti-yoga, then we will not have to take another material body in this world. We become qualified to live eternally in the direct association of the Lord in the spiritual world and experience unlimited freedom in complete bliss and perfect knowledge. This is the perfection of life.
2006-09-21 11:32:37 · answer #5 · answered by Jagatkarta 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Karma is what the hindus and buddhists believe in, ever since the Aryans invaded India. What Karma is is who you become in your next like. That's called "reincarnation" and you are chosen who you are in the next life with karma. Darma is the set of rules that must be followed to gain Nirvana, or eternal peace.
2006-09-20 12:18:42 · answer #6 · answered by War Pig 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people believe in karma, that what goes around comes around or that what you sow so shall you reap. In other words what you do has repercussions and you will suffer for what you do.
If you realize that all time is now and there is no such thing as past and future then you will realize that there is really no such thing as cause and effect, therefore no such thing as karma.
2006-09-20 15:07:14 · answer #7 · answered by Keenu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As best as I understand it, the principle of karma is "What goes around, comes around..." Basically, if you practice doing good things to others, good things will come to you... The reverse is true: if you do bad things to others, bad things will come to you... Interestingly enough, there's even a proverb in the Bible (in the book of Proverbs) that agrees with this principle...
2006-09-20 12:21:26 · answer #8 · answered by KnowhereMan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The quick and dirty version.
Karma is a measure of how well you have lived this life. The closer you adeher to your duties, the better your next reincarnation will be.
It's actually a good deal more complex, too complex for here.
2006-09-20 12:19:13 · answer #9 · answered by juicy_wishun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Karma is the blessed opportunity to improve.
2006-09-20 21:49:03 · answer #10 · answered by Temple 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋