Does the theory of karma work?

Question

Say someone's ignoring you, so you ignore them back - in other words, give them the silent treatment. Is this the best thing to do? Or is there a more effective (and possibly more simple) method?
Does the concept of karma ring true? Do we *really* have to give what we get?
I believe that it is true for certain situations. However, some people still treat others with respect no matter what, even if they're treated badly by those particular individuals. A good example of this is Jane Eyre.
I try to treat everyone with the same amount of respect, but there are certain people you sometimes have to exclude. (This is just my opinion formed from experience - nobody has to agree with me =))

(Bear in mind that I am a cynic - even though I'd like to believe the majority of people are as nice as certain individuals [e.g. my boyfriend, who is literally THE nicest person you could ever meet - and is also my best friend - along with my best female friend], I know this is not usually the case.)

Answer 1

The word Karma actually means 'action'.
There is skillful action and there is unskillful action.
Skillful action brings positive results while unskillful action results in unpleasantness of one sort or another.
What we are experiencing in this moment is the result of past Karma. What we DO in this moment will create our future conditions. Karma is not the only thing Buddhists would consider. There is also Karuna, which means compassion and is the other half of Karma.
If I am in some sort of trouble it may be appropriate for me to look at my past actions to see if there is some lesson I need to learn. (I say MAY. It may not. Bad stuff just happens sometimes)
But if somebody else is in trouble it is not our place to say stuff like, 'well, it's all Karma and you've just got to put up with it'.
It is then our job to be compassionate, to try to help, to be kind.
Being judgemental, in the discussion of Karma, is action and if I judge other people then I am opening the way for others to judge me in future.
Yes, if you understand it fully, the theory of Karma does work. The popular idea of it being some kind of a mechanistic eye-for-an-eye process certainly doesn't.
And. like you, I say that other people don't have to agree with the existence of Karma. I do and I find it satisfying

Answer 2

I am a Christian and Karma is a Hindu teaching, however, I do believe it is true at its core. In Christianity we are taught to "do unto others as we would have others to do unto us". This seems to follow in line with Hindi teachings.

So, yes, I believe Karma "works".

Answer 3

I think karma is largely a joke. We bring things on ourselves by our action, no outside force works on us as would some karma thing.
My opinion only, of course.
--That Cheeky Lad

Answer 4

Karma is what you send out

Dharma is what you get back

Bad Karma = bad dharma.

I believe.

Answer 5

karma |ˈkärmə| noun (in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. • informal destiny or fate, following as effect from cause. DERIVATIVES karmic |-mik| adjective karmically |-mik(ə)lē| adverb ORIGIN from Sanskrit karman ‘action, effect, fate.’

Answer 6

Its not give what you get ....

Its what you give out you get back....