7.2 Karma and Samsara: theories of action and rebirth

Karma and Samsara are key ideas in Indian philosophy. They explain how our actions shape our future lives. This belief system says we're reborn many times, with each life influenced by what we did before.

These concepts are part of a bigger picture in Indian ethics. They connect to ideas about duty (dharma), freedom from rebirth (moksha), and life goals (purusharthas). Understanding Karma and Samsara helps make sense of Indian moral thinking.

Karma and Samsara in Indian Philosophy

Core Concepts and Definitions

Top images from around the web for Core Concepts and Definitions

• 

  Karma, Dharma and Moksha: Interpreting Indian philosophy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – Wikipedija View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Karma, Dharma and Moksha: Interpreting Indian philosophy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – Wikipedija View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Core Concepts and Definitions

• 

  Karma, Dharma and Moksha: Interpreting Indian philosophy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – Wikipedija View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – AnthroWiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Karma, Dharma and Moksha: Interpreting Indian philosophy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Samsara – Wikipedija View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Karma derives from Sanskrit root "kri" meaning "to do" or "to act" refers to universal principle of cause and effect governing all life
• Samsara represents continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth fundamental to many Indian philosophical traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism)
• Interrelationship between karma and samsara forms core tenet in Indian philosophy
  • Actions in current life determine nature of future rebirths within samsara cycle
• Karma functions as complex system of moral causation allowing for individual agency and responsibility
  • Not simply fate or predestination
• Karma concept extends beyond single lifetime
  • Accumulates across multiple incarnations
  • Influences quality and circumstances of future existences within samsara
• Liberation from samsara cycle known as moksha or nirvana often seen as ultimate spiritual goal
  • Varies slightly in different Indian traditions

Philosophical Significance

• Karma-samsara framework provides rational explanation for diversity of human experiences
  • Addresses apparent inequalities in life
  • Offers solution to problem of theodicy in Indian philosophy
• Emphasizes individual responsibility and free will
  • Current situation results from past choices
  • Future circumstances shaped by present actions
• Promotes ethical behavior and moral living
  • Individuals motivated to perform good actions for better future outcomes
• Raises philosophical questions about personal identity and consciousness
  • Concept of self persisting across multiple rebirths
• Challenges materialistic worldviews
  • Posits moral order to universe
  • Suggests existence of subtle, non-physical aspects of reality persisting beyond death

Karma's Causal Relationship

Principles of Karmic Operation

• Law of karma operates on principle that every action, thought, or intention has corresponding effect
  • Effects manifest in current life or future incarnations
• Functions as moral law of universe
  • Ethical actions lead to positive outcomes
  • Unethical actions result in negative consequences
• Fruits of karma (phala) may not be immediately apparent
  • Often ripen over time or across multiple lifetimes
  • Explains apparent injustices or inequalities in world
• Quality and intensity of action's karmic effect influenced by various factors
  • Intention behind action
  • Nature of act itself
  • Context in which action performed

Temporal Manifestations of Karma

• Karma categorized into three types based on temporal manifestation
  1. Sanchita karma: Accumulated karma from past lives
  2. Prarabdha karma: Karma currently being experienced
  3. Agami karma: Karma being created in present for future effects
• Concept of karmic debt (Rin) suggests individuals carry forward unresolved obligations
  • Necessitates specific experiences or relationships in future incarnations
• Prarabdha karma determines circumstances of current life
  • Influences lifespan, social status, major life events
  • Shapes individual's journey through samsara
• Sanchita karma represents total accumulation of past actions across all lifetimes
  • Serves as reservoir from which future experiences in samsara drawn
• Kriyamana or Agami karma refers to actions performed in present life
  • Bears fruit in future incarnations
  • Shapes ongoing trajectory through samsara

Types of Karma and Samsara

Qualitative Categories of Karma

• Sattvik karma associated with purity and goodness
  • Leads to positive rebirths and spiritual progress within samsara
  • Potentially culminates in liberation
• Rajasik karma characterized by passion and activity
  • Results in rebirths marked by worldly desires and attachments
  • Perpetuates cycle of samsara
• Tamasik karma stems from ignorance and inertia
  • Leads to lower forms of rebirth
  • Increases suffering within samsara
• Nishkam Karma (desireless action) concept from Bhagavad Gita
  • Suggests way to act within samsara without accruing further karmic bonds
  • Potentially leads to liberation

Karmic Influences on Rebirth

• Prarabdha karma determines circumstances of current life
  • Influences lifespan (long-lived vs short-lived)
  • Affects social status (wealthy vs impoverished)
  • Shapes major life events (successful career vs constant setbacks)
• Sanchita karma represents total accumulation of past actions
  • Acts as reservoir for future experiences in samsara
  • Influences overall trajectory of soul's journey (upward vs downward spiritual progress)
• Kriyamana or Agami karma shapes future incarnations
  • Present actions influence future birth circumstances (human vs animal realm)
  • Determines quality of relationships and experiences in future lives

Implications of Karma and Samsara

Ethical and Social Considerations

• Karma-samsara beliefs often promote ethical behavior
  • Motivates individuals to perform good actions (charitable giving, compassionate acts)
  • Encourages moral living for better future outcomes
• Critics argue karma doctrine can lead to problematic outcomes
  • Potential for fatalism or resignation to current circumstances
  • Risk of justifying social inequalities (caste system in India)
  • May discourage efforts to address systemic injustices
• Concept challenges notions of divine judgment or arbitrary fate
  • Presents universe as inherently just and orderly system
  • Individual actions directly influence future experiences

Philosophical and Existential Impact

• Karma-samsara framework addresses problem of suffering and injustice
  • Provides explanation for apparent unfairness in life (child born with illness)
  • Offers hope for future improvement through personal effort
• Raises questions about nature of self and consciousness
  • How does individual identity persist across multiple lifetimes?
  • What constitutes the essence of a person that carries karmic imprints?
• Presents teleological framework for human existence
  • Ultimate goal of liberation (moksha or nirvana) gives purpose to life
  • Influences ethical considerations and life choices (pursuit of spiritual practices)
• Challenges materialistic worldviews
  • Suggests existence of subtle, non-physical aspects of reality (karmic imprints)
  • Posits moral order to universe beyond observable physical laws