Law of Karma of Budhhism

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Chauhan Nilesh

2. Karma
• Karma (Sanskrit) or Kamma (Pali) means “action” or “doing”;
whatever one does, says, or thinks is a karma.
• In Buddhism, the term karma is used specifically for those actions
which spring from the intention (cetana) of an unenlightened being.
“Intention I tell you, is karma. Intending, one does karma by
way of body, speech, & mind.”
• The Buddha spoke of wholesome actions that result in happiness, and
unwholesome actions that results in unhappiness.
• This bring about a result, either within the present life, or in the
context of a future rebirth.

3. Comprehension of Karma
•Good or wholesome actions produce good results
•Evil or unwholesome actions produce bad results
•Action causes Reaction
•‘Volition’ in itself is ‘Action’
•Present circumstances are reactions of the past actions
•Karma is a ‘Natural Law’ which is not enforced by any
mysterious power.
•We shall be responsible for our own actions.

4. Wholesome Action
In contrast, there are ten types of wholesome actions as
well.
Three types of bodily actions:
1) Not killing of living beings
2) Not Stealing and
3) Avoiding Unlawful actions
These bodily deeds corresponds to the first three of the Five
Precepts for people to follow.

5. Four types of verbal actions:
1) Not Slander and tale-bearing
2) Not using Harsh speech and
3) Not using Frivolous and meaningless talk.
Three types of mental actions:
1) Uncovetous Ness
2) Good-will and
3) Holding right view
Three deeds correspond to the three wholesome roots of
compassion, loving-kindness and wisdom.

6. WHAT DECIDES THE SEVERITY OF THE RESULTS
The severity of the results of our actions depends on various
factors:
Our intention or motivation: The intention is the most important
aspect by far, as karma is mainly connected to the intention of the
action, be it positive or negative.
The nature of the action: Obviously, gossiping is less severe than
killing.
The actual deed: Whether we kill in self defense or sadistically
torture someone to death does make a difference, usually this
directly related to intention.

7. The basis or object: It does make a difference
whether we kill our friend or an ant.
Repetition: How often do we repeat the action, which
reinforces the habit, and makes even killing feel less
negative.
Doing the reverse: If we always behave negatively to
others and never try to do any good, consequences
will be severe.

8. THE FOUR LAWS OF KARMA
• Results are similar to the cause. Positive actions have happiness
as a result; “negative” actions lead to suffering as a result.
• No results without a cause. As is obvious within science, things
do not just appear out of nothing.
• Once an action is done, the result is never lost. Similarly as
above, things do not just disappear into nothing.
• Karma expands. Once we have an imprint of an action in out
mind, it tends to be habit-forming. As is often said in wars for
example, killing the first enemy is tough, but after a handful,
one quickly loses count and it becomes “normal”.