4.2 Understanding karma and its effects

Karma in Buddhism is a fundamental principle of cause and effect. It explains how our actions shape our future experiences and rebirths. Positive actions lead to happiness, while negative actions result in suffering. Karma is central to understanding existence and the cycle of rebirth.

Both actions and intentions determine karmic consequences. Wholesome intentions paired with positive actions yield favorable results. The severity of consequences depends on factors like intention intensity and repetition. Buddhist karma differs from popular misconceptions, emphasizing personal responsibility and potential for spiritual growth.

Karma in Buddhist Thought

Concept of karma in Buddhism

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• Fundamental principle of cause and effect in Buddhism
• Actions (physical, verbal, mental) shape an individual's future experiences and rebirths (samsara)
• Positive actions (generosity, compassion) lead to positive results (happiness, favorable rebirths)
• Negative actions (greed, hatred) lead to negative results (suffering, unfavorable rebirths)
• Central to Buddhist worldview explains the nature of existence and the cycle of rebirth
• Individual's karmic accumulation determines future experiences within samsara
• Ultimate goal is to escape samsara by attaining enlightenment (nirvana)

Actions and karmic consequences

• Both actions and intentions behind them determine karmic consequences
• Wholesome intentions (compassion, generosity) + positive actions = favorable karmic results
• Unwholesome intentions (greed, hatred) + negative actions = unfavorable karmic results
• Severity of karmic consequences influenced by:
  1. Intensity of intention behind action
  2. Repetition of action
  3. Status of being affected by action (harming respected person = more severe consequences)

Buddhist karma vs popular misconceptions

• Buddhist karma is natural law of cause and effect, not punishment or reward
• Popular misconceptions portray karma as cosmic justice or retribution
• Buddhist karma is not deterministic individuals can change karmic trajectory through actions and intentions
• Misconceptions suggest fate entirely predetermined by past karma
• Buddhism emphasizes personal responsibility and potential for spiritual growth
• Misconceptions may lead to fatalistic attitude or belief in external power controlling destiny

Karma's connection to rebirth

• Cycle of rebirth (samsara) perpetuated by accumulation of karma
• Without enlightenment, karmic imprints lead to future rebirths
• Realm and circumstances of rebirth determined by nature of accumulated karma
  • Positive karma may lead to favorable rebirths (human, heavenly realms)
  • Negative karma may lead to unfavorable rebirths (animal, hell realms)
• Ultimate goal is to escape samsara by attaining enlightenment (nirvana)
  • Achieved through eliminating ignorance and exhausting karmic imprints
  • Once enlightened, individual no longer subject to rebirth and effects of karma