Definition and meanings Karma

1 definition , meanings

1.1 causality
1.2 karma , ethicization
1.3 rebirth

definition , meanings

karma executed deed , work , action , or act , , object , intent . wilhelm halbfass explains karma (karman) contrasting sanskrit word kriya. word kriya activity along steps , effort in action, while karma (1) executed action consequence of activity, (2) intention of actor behind executed action or planned action (described scholars metaphysical residue left in actor). action creates karma, intent. bad action creates bad karma, bad intent.

karma, refers conceptual principle originated in india, descriptively called principle of karma, karma theory or law of karma. in context of theory, karma complex , difficult define. different schools of indologists derive different definitions karma concept ancient indian texts; definition combination of (1) causality may ethical or non-ethical; (2) ethicization, or bad actions have consequences; , (3) rebirth. other indologists include in definition of karma theory explains present circumstances of individual reference or actions in past. these actions may in person s current life, or, in schools of indian traditions, possibly actions in past lives; furthermore, consequences may result in current life, or person s future lives. law of karma operates independent of deity or process of divine judgment.

difficulty in arriving @ definition of karma arises because of diversity of views among schools of hinduism; some, example, consider karma , rebirth linked , simultaneously essential, consider karma not rebirth essential, , few discuss , conclude karma , rebirth flawed fiction. buddhism , jainism have own karma precepts. karma has not one, multiple definitions , different meanings. concept meaning, importance , scope varies between hinduism, buddhism, jainism , other traditions originated in india, , various schools in each of these traditions. o flaherty claims that, furthermore, there ongoing debate regarding whether karma theory, model, paradigm, metaphor, or metaphysical stance.

karma theory concept, across different indian religious traditions, shares common themes: causality, ethicization , rebirth.

causality

lotus symbolically represents karma in many asian traditions. blooming lotus flower 1 of few flowers simultaneously carries seeds inside while blooms. seed symbolically seen cause, flower effect. lotus considered reminder 1 can grow, share karma , remain unstained in muddy circumstances.

a common theme theories of karma principle of causality. 1 of earliest association of karma causality occurs in brihadaranyaka upanishad of hinduism. example, @ 4.4.5-6, states:

the relationship of karma causality central motif in schools of hindu, jain , buddhist thought. theory of karma causality holds (1) executed actions of individual affects individual , life or lives, , (2) intentions of individual affects individual , life or lives. disinterested actions, or unintentional actions not have same positive or negative karmic effect, interested , intentional actions. in buddhism, example, actions performed, or arise, or originate without bad intent such covetousness, considered non-existent in karmic impact or neutral in influence individual.

another causality characteristic, shared karmic theories, deeds lead effects. karma produces effect on actor, while bad karma produces bad effect. effect may material, moral or emotional — is, 1 s karma affects 1 s happiness , unhappiness. effect of karma need not immediate; effect of karma can later in 1 s current life, , in schools extends future lives.

the consequence or effects of 1 s karma can described in 2 forms: phalas , samskaras. phala (literally, fruit or result) visible or invisible effect typically immediate or within current life. in contrast, samskaras invisible effects, produced inside actor because of karma, transforming agent , affecting or ability happy or unhappy in life , future ones. theory of karma presented in context of samskaras.

karmic principle can understood, suggests karl potter, principle of psychology , habit. karma seeds habits (vāsanā), , habits create nature of man. karma seeds self perception, , perception influences how 1 experiences life events. both habits , self perception affect course of 1 s life. breaking bad habits not easy: requires conscious karmic effort. psyche , habit, according potter , others, link karma causality in ancient indian literature. idea of karma may compared notion of person s character , both assessment of person , determined person s habitual thinking , acting.

karma , ethicization

the second theme common karma theories ethicization. begins premise every action has consequence, come fruition in either or future life; thus, morally acts have positive consequences, whereas bad acts produce negative results. individual s present situation thereby explained reference actions in present or in previous lifetimes. karma not reward , punishment , law produces consequence. halbfass notes, karma considered dharma , leads punya (merit), while bad karma considered adharma , leads pāp (demerit, sin).

reichenbach suggests theories of karma ethical theory. because ancient scholars of india linked intent , actual action merit, reward, demerit , punishment. theory without ethical premise pure causal relation; merit or reward or demerit or punishment same regardless of actor s intent. in ethics, 1 s intentions, attitudes , desires matter in evaluation of 1 s action. outcome unintended, moral responsibility less on actor, though causal responsibility may same regardless. karma theory considers not action, actor s intentions, attitude, , desires before , during action. karma concept encourages each person seek , live moral life, avoid immoral life. meaning , significance of karma building block of ethical theory.

rebirth

the third common theme of karma theories concept of reincarnation or cycle of rebirths (saṃsāra). rebirth fundamental concept of hinduism, buddhism, jainism , sikhism. concept has been intensely debated in ancient literature of india; different schools of indian religions considering relevance of rebirth either essential, or secondary, or unnecessary fiction. karma basic concept, rebirth derivative concept, suggests creel; karma fact, asserts yamunacharya, while reincarnation hypothesis; in contrast, hiriyanna suggests rebirth necessary corollary of karma.

rebirth, or saṃsāra, concept life forms go through cycle of reincarnation, series of births , rebirths. rebirths , consequent life may in different realm, condition or form. karma theories suggest realm, condition , form depends on quality , quantity of karma. in schools believe in rebirth, every living being s soul transmigrates (recycles) after death, carrying seeds of karmic impulses life completed, life , lifetime of karmas. cycle continues indefinitely, except consciously break cycle reaching moksa. break cycle reach realm of gods, don t continue in cycle.

the theory of karma , rebirth raises numerous questions—such how, when, , why did cycle start in first place, relative karmic merit of 1 karma versus , why, , evidence there rebirth happens, among others. various schools of hinduism realized these difficulties, debated own formulations, reaching considered internally consistent theories, while other schools modified , de-emphasized it, while few schools in hinduism such carvakas, lokayatana abandoned karma , rebirth theory altogether. schools of buddhism consider karma-rebirth cycle integral theories of soteriology.