Is Karma Based on Myth or Belief?

Posted on February 8, 2010. Filed under: Spiritually Speaking | Tags: Buddism, Faith, Hindu, Incarnation, Inspirational, Religious Practices |

What is the meaning of Karma?

I had the pleasure recently of attending a screening of an independently produced film titled Karma Calling…after watching the humorous adventures of an Americanized Hindu family unfold on the screen, I began to give serious thought to the title of the film. What exactly is Karma? Is it a belief based on faith and spirituality or is it based on ancient myth?

Karma is a basic concept to Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism (for more on Buddhism–Richard Gere–Tina Turner, see my blog posting http://wp.me/PvU23-4P). According to various reference dictionaries Karma is described as —–The influence of an individual’s past actions on his future lives or past lives. It is based on the conviction that the present life is only one in a chain of lives. The doctrine of karma states that one’s state in this life is a result of actions in past incarnations, and action in this life can determine one’s destiny in future incarnations (both physical and mental, bad or good). That is to say, a particular action now is not binding to some particular, pre-determined future experience or reaction; it is not a simple, one-to-one correspondence of reward or punishment.—–

—–Every action has consequences. Karma is a natural, impersonal law of moral cause and effect and has no connection with the idea of a supreme power that decrees forgiveness of sins (e.g. man’s ‘original sin’ through which human nature became flawed). It is not punishment or retribution but simply an extended expression or consequence of natural acts. What we do not learn in this life must be learned in the next–harm we cause in this life will come back to us in the next. At the same time, good things we do affect future lives as well.—–

—–It’s impossible to escape these consequences. A wrongful thought, word, or deed is one which is committed under the influence of ‘virtuous roots’, while good deeds stem from the opposites of these. These good or evil roots nourished over the course of many lives become fixed tendencies which prompt the individual towards virtue or vice. Each person then has the final responsibility for his own salvation and the power of free will with which to choose good or evil.—–

—–Karma is a distinctive aura, atmosphere, feeling, destiny or fate. An aura or atmosphere generated by someone or something. It affects the nature and quality of individual circumstances (e.g. physical appearance, health, and prosperity). It makes us complete, driving us forever, if need be, until we come to understand what we are. And with that understanding we also come to know who we are. —Basics of Buddhism-Theory of Karma—