Re: WHAT IS KARMA, and how does it work?


Demon Sky wrote:
Anyone who knows something about Karma, please add it in this thread. A
user, 'want2believe', was curious about it.

I'm no expert, but here is what I have learnt. My perspective may be a
bit more Hindu than Buddhist simply because of what I have read.

The basic idea of Karma rests on the following axioms

AXIOM 1: Every action has a reaction.
MEANING: Every action you do will have an effect on the universe. This
may be viewed as cause and effect.

AXIOM 2: The effect tends to be similar in nature to its cause.
MEANING: If you strike a billiards ball gently, it will move gently. If
you strike it hard, it will move suddenly. If you throw a burning match
into a barn, the effects will likely be hot... not cold. So, if your
action is violent and angry, the effects will be violent too. So on...

AXIOM 3: The entire universe is interconnected.
MEANING: Things are very subtly connected . People would cite chaos
theory here and point out that it is possible for a buttrfly's flapping
of its wings in China can cause a hurricane in the US. I would not push
this particular example as likely, but you get the idea.

Moving on, remember that you are a part of the universe. If you put
the three axioms together... your positive actions will have a positive
effect on the universe, which will come bact to you through the
interconnected universe. The person closest to your actions (and thus
most likely to feel their effect) is you.

This is my very basic mechanical understanding of Karma. I always
wonder if this system can be bypassed (so I can do naughty things
without suffering the consequences) but so far I have not succeeded. I
am sure my understanding is incomplete, I think there is more.

If anyone has anything to add about Karma and its workings, it would be
appreciated.

It's late on my side of the planet...Will post tomorrow.

There are various sorts of karma according to the Buddha, but the main
point in buddhadharma is to observe how we tend to attach to the
various results (like addicts), and perpetuate old patterns....

- best,
-n.

.