Significance of Law of karma
The Law of karma is a fundamental principle across various philosophies, asserting that every action has consequences that influence future experiences and rebirths. In traditions such as Tibetan Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Yoga, and others, this concept emphasizes the moral causation of actions, suggesting that one's deeds dictate their circumstances and spiritual progress. It embodies the idea that virtuous actions yield happiness, while non-virtuous actions lead to suffering, reinforcing the interconnectedness of actions and their repercussions in life and beyond.
Synonyms: Principle of cause and effect, Karmic law, Karmic principle, Cycle of karma, Action and reaction, Law of cause and effect, Moral causation, Principle of karma
In Dutch: Wet van karma; In Finnish: Karman laki; In Spanish: Ley del karma; In German: Gesetz des Karma; In Swedish: Karmalagen; In Malay: Hukum karma; In French: Loi du karma; In Swedish: Karmas lag; In Italian: Legge del karma; In Portugese: Lei do carma; In Polish: Prawo karmy
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Law of karma'
The Law of karma in Buddhism emphasizes that actions have consequences, with virtuous deeds leading to happiness and non-virtuous actions resulting in suffering, shaping experiences and influencing future rebirths in the cycle of existence.
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The principle of cause and effect that governs the actions of beings and their corresponding outcomes.[1] (2) The principle by which actions, intentions, and thoughts create corresponding results in experience, guiding the manifestations of consciousness.[2] (3) The principle dictating the experience of seeing and its variations, which is determined by the past actions of living beings.[3] (4) The principle dictating how experiences of emptiness are conditioned by karmic actions and their effects.[4] (5) The principle that dictates the experiences and consequences one faces, implied as a foundational truth behind the occurrence of wind.[5]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) It is the principle of cause and effect, it cannot easily be established logically.[6] (2) The principle that actions have consequences, where virtuous actions lead to happiness and non-virtuous actions lead to suffering.[7] (3) The principle of cause and effect in Buddhist philosophy, which explains how actions lead to consequences, can only be fully understood by an enlightened buddha.[8] (4) The law of cause and effect, which emphasizes that virtuous deeds lead to happiness while non-virtuous deeds lead to suffering.[9]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The law of karma, when applied to the Buddha's suffering, initially caused shock, leading to the development of compromises to explain his experiences.[10] (2) The principle that dictates the relationship between one's actions and their consequences in future lives, governing the experiences of the damned in hell.[11] (3) The principle governing the cause-and-effect relationship of actions, which impacts the rebirth and conditions in the cycle of existence.[12]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The principle that one's actions have corresponding consequences in this life and beyond.[13]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) The principle that actions have consequences, influencing future experiences and rebirths.[14]
Hindu concept of 'Law of karma'
The Law of Karma in Hinduism signifies that an individual's actions and intentions shape their spiritual journey and future, emphasizing a moral cause and effect that governs experiences and rebirth determined by past deeds.
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) The principle that actions have consequences, which guides Rama's understanding of justice and truth.[15]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The belief that every action has consequences, influencing future circumstances based on past deeds.[16]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) The principle of cause and effect governing actions, which dictates that one must act in accordance with their duty without selfish motives.[17]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) A principle stating that an individual's actions and desires dictate the pace of their spiritual progress and contribute to their future circumstances and experiences.[18] (2) The principle that all actions have consequences, which may not be immediately apparent but will manifest in due time.[19]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The law of Karma is a principle suggesting that the actions of individuals influence their future conditions and experiences, indicating a system of moral cause and effect.[20] (2) A distinct principle that states that the actions performed in previous lives determine the nature of each being's existence in their current life.[21]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The principle that actions have consequences, which the teachers and students became entangled in due to their temporary endeavors.[22]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The principle that actions (Karma) yield results, particularly for ordinary people who are bound by their deeds.[23]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) The law of Karma is mentioned in relation to Daivavyapasraya Chikitsa, where disease is considered a form of divine justice to restore harmony, according to the provided text.[24]
The concept of Law of karma in local and regional sources
The Law of Karma emphasizes the principle of cause and effect, asserting that actions have unavoidable consequences. This foundational belief within Hinduism shapes individual destinies and moral accountability, influencing future experiences based on prior deeds.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) This is a principle in Hinduism that states that actions have consequences, binding the doer to the cycle of their deeds.[25] (2) This phrase refers to the principle that actions have consequences, and every soul is guided by it in the process of Reincarnation.[26] (3) The principle that emphasizes the moral causation of actions, suggesting that 'as you sow, so you reap'.[27] (4) A concept that acts as a cosmic executor determining the consequences of actions.[28] (5) The principle of cause and effect in moral and ethical terms, which is discussed in relation to the concept of Grace.[29]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is the principle stating that every action inevitably leads to an effect, highlighting the continuous chain of cause and effect that governs actions.[30] (2) This is the law of causation, guided by the Mother, and is the driving force behind the creation of lives through actions or deeds, according to the text.[31] (3) The law of Karma is recognized by the Upanishads, but they also offer a path to transcend it, while the priests focus on manipulating the words to avoid bad outcomes.[32] (4) The law of Karma is essentially equivalent to the law of causation, implying that every action has a reaction, and everything operates according to a set of rules.[33] (5) The principle that actions have consequences, and that one must face the repercussions of their actions, with weakness being a major sin.[34]
The concept of Law of karma in scientific sources
The Law of Karma is a universal principle that connects actions to their consequences, shaping individual life experiences based on those actions. This relationship emphasizes accountability and the impact of decisions on one's future.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) This is the law of cause and effect, one of the four thoughts that turn the mind, analyzed and adopted by practitioners under the guidance of the Namdroling lamas.[35] (2) The concept that the universe guarantees a fair and just outcome for all, sooner or later.[36] (3) When tensions between male and female practitioners increased, Sot’aesan referenced this law in the community.[37] (4) This law holds that actions are morally evaluable, causative units that impact their agents' futures, imprinting the self with invisible residues.[38] (5) This is the principle that actions have consequences, influencing the argument for forgiveness and reconciliation.[39]