Does anyone know anything about Karma?

Question

I would like to know what it is and does it work.

Answer 1

There are many problems with the salvation-by works doctrine of reincarnation. First, there are many practical problems. For example:
1. We must ask, why does one get punished for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life?
2. If the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires, then why hasn't there been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations?
3. If reincarnation and the law of karma are so beneficial on a practical level, then how do advocates of this doctrine explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems - including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering - in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught through out its history?
There are also many biblical problems with believing in reincarnation. For example, in 2 Corinthians 5:8 the apostle Paul states, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." At death, the, the Christian immediately goes into the presence of the Lord, not into another body. In keeping with this. Luke 16:19-31 tells us that unbelievers at death go to a place of suffering, not into another body.
Further, Hebrews 9:27 assures us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Each human being LIVES ONCE as a mortal on earth, DIES ONCE, and then FACES JUDGMENT. He does not have a second chance by reincarnating into another body.

Answer 2

To understand Karma, you have to first realise that the everything in this universe is balanced or requires balance. Man-Woman, Night-Day, Hot-Cold, Yin-Yang etc. Similarly, actions are also bound by this principal, however with regard to Karma, our thoughts, words and deeds are intrinsically linked and each of these provoke an equally balanced reaction. So, while the effects of Karma may not be literally the same as the action that caused the Karma to take effect (eye for an eye, for example), it is widely believed that in order to achieve balance, we face situations and circumstances that equate to the magnitude and potency of our past actions.

If all this seems too 'heavy', then it's quite acceptable to subscribe to the common understanding of Karma; You reap what you sow; What goes around, comes around; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. etc

Answer 3

Karma is basically 'getting back for what you've done' ... so that 'good karma' means that good things happen to you now because you were good in a past life, and 'bad karma' means bad things happen to you now because you were bad in a past life. It is very difficult to tell if something good or bad 'just happened to you' or if it is 'karma' ... and yes, it does 'work' although anything that you do 'good' in this life may not be 'paid back' until your next life ...

Answer 4

Karma is defined as action. You hear a lot of people misuse it like "Its bad karma". Karma is neither itself good or bad. It is the consequences of that action that are defined good or bad. For example, you decide to steal a car (karma) and with that car you get into an accident (the consequence, in this case bad consequence of the action).

The other term that is important is dharma, which is defined as your duty or responsibility. For example, if you are a police officer and you are about to shoot a man because he is killing people, you have to do your dharma (duty) and shoot him. The karma here is the act of shooting the man, but he will not have a bad consequence because he did his duty (in theory at least).

I hope this gives you a basic understanding of the terms.

Answer 5

Karma is essentially the fruits of your actions. Good karma results from doing good, bad karma results from doing bad. Karma can determine your next birth (or lack thereof, if there's enough good karma).

Answer 6

Karma is a theory and as such people either believe it or reject it.
According to Buddhist theory you reap in another life what you sow in this one. It is like school, if you do well one year (life) you may progress to next level and so on until you have learned all and need not be re-born to this plane but can go to other planes of existence.

Answer 7

It is like the law of cause and effect. Karma is a thing put into motion by actions or thoughts, like a seed planted. When you plant a seed it requires causes and conditions to arise to make it grow and when it does the result is always bigger than the seed it came from.

When you do something, or think of something a karmic seed (bakchak) is placed in your "mindstream" ("kunshi" as we call it in Tibetan Buddhism) and there it sits until causes and conditions arise to ripen it to fruition.

Good deeds plant good seeds, and harmful actions/deeds plant the ugly ones. Hope this helps.

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Answer 8

Karma is a word used instead of saying , What goes around comes around. it basically means that if you do something wrong to someone, the same will happen to you. If you are kind and do nice things, you will be rewarded in unsaid ways.

Answer 9

I stabbed someone at 8 with a pencil I got stabbed back at 12 with a pencil, thats the best example of karma I have experienced for myself.

Answer 10

it's the law of cause & effect...I can describe it like in physics, to every action there's an equal & opposite reaction. This means every action you take, even bad or god intentions have an effect & will return to you. Do good & good will come & do bad & bad will come. It's indiscriminate.
We are all sinners & we all make mistakes, if you do your best & then you know you made a mistake & sincerely repent , from the depths of your heart , God will forgive you & wash away your sins.
this is all I know!