History of Karma

	Revision 13 . . (edit) October 31, 2001 12:54 am by Stephen Gilbert [full opening sentence]
	Revision 12 . . (edit) October 31, 2001 12:46 am by (logged).255.84.xxx
	Revision 9 . . (edit) October 21, 2001 8:14 am by (logged).45.48.xxx

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Concept in Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that are sympathetic to the idea of reincarnation.

Karma is a concept in Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that are sympathetic to the idea of reincarnation. It is held to represent the "balance" of good/bad acts we have performed in this lifetime and others.

Changed: 3c3

Karma is held to represent the "balance" of good/bad acts we have performed in this lifetime and others.

Performing meritorious acts results in rebirth into a higher station, such as a superior human being or a godlike being, while evil acts result in rebirth as a human living in less desireable circumstances, or as a lower animal. While the action of karma may be compared with the Western? notions of sin and judgment by God or gods, karma is held to operate as an inherent principle of the Universe without the intervention of any supernatural being.

Changed: 5,9c5

Performing meritorious acts results in rebirth into a higher station, such as a superior human being or a godlike being, while evil acts result in rebirth as a human born into more undesireable circumstances, or as a lower animal. While the action of karma may be compared with the Western? notions of sin and judgment by God or gods, karma is held to operate as an inherent principle of the Universe without the intervention of any supernatural being. Life is a cycle of conceptual rebirths evident in what can be defined as consciousness. Far from being a strictly action/reaction agent, karma is at work during our physical lives albeit in an unfathomable manner at times (ie. great beings who suffer much).

In Sanskrit, the word Karma (spelled several ways) is defined as action. There is an understanding implied that action causes re-action. The re-action, of course, is also an action, ad ifinitum. There is no belief in the earliest definitions of karma that there is any kind of punishment attendent on actions that are performed. However, it was also believed that Intent is an action in itself, and could be even more powerful than a physical action.

Added: 10a7

This stirring of the pot, so to speak, is unavoidable if one is to be alive, eating, breathing, etc. However, in the Buddha's teachings as well as in Vedanta? and Shaivism?, one is advised to avoid desire and aversions as a way to have less involvement with Karma.