Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed" in Dharmic religions, understood as a term to denote the entire cycle of cause and effect as described in the philosophies Buddhism.
Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The results or "fruits" of actions are called karma-phala. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward. Karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well.
The "Law of Karma" is central in Dharmic religions. All living creatures are responsible for their karma - their actions and the effects of their actions - and for their release from samsara (the cycle of reincarnation or rebirth).
Any action is understood to create "seeds" in the mind which will sprout into the appropriate result when they meet with the right conditions. Most types of karmas, with good or bad result, will keep one within the wheel of samsāra; others will liberate one to nirvāna (literally means extinction).
In Buddhism, karma is directly related to the motivation behind an action. The motivation usually makes the difference between 'good' and 'bad', but included in the motivation is also the aspect of ignorance; so a well-intended action from a deluded mind can easily be 'bad' in the sense that it creates unpleasant results for the 'actor'.
Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The results or "fruits" of actions are called karma-phala. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward. Karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well.
The "Law of Karma" is central in Dharmic religions. All living creatures are responsible for their karma - their actions and the effects of their actions - and for their release from samsara (the cycle of reincarnation or rebirth).
Any action is understood to create "seeds" in the mind which will sprout into the appropriate result when they meet with the right conditions. Most types of karmas, with good or bad result, will keep one within the wheel of samsāra; others will liberate one to nirvāna (literally means extinction).
In Buddhism, karma is directly related to the motivation behind an action. The motivation usually makes the difference between 'good' and 'bad', but included in the motivation is also the aspect of ignorance; so a well-intended action from a deluded mind can easily be 'bad' in the sense that it creates unpleasant results for the 'actor'.
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