Karma can mean different things to different people. A common understanding is the law of cause and effect, of action and reaction. In that sense it is a universal law that not only concerns human behaviour and morality but the phenomonal world too.
Karma in Sanskrit means action, work or deed. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering.
The philosophy of karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian religions. In these schools, karma in the present affects one's future in the current life, as well as the nature and quality of future lives.
However the same principle could be applied to Abrahamic Faiths. For example in Christianity, Christ's Teaching in regards judgment in the next world is in accordance with one's charity (Matthew 25:31-46). Christianity also teaches morals such as one reaps what one sows (Galatians 6:7) and he who lives by the sword dies by the sword (Matthew 26:52).
However many scholars consider the concept of Last Judgment in Christianity as different from karma in Dharmic Faiths. The latter is as an ongoing process that occurs every day in one's life, while the last judgment, is a one-time review at the end of life.
Karma - Wikipedia
So what is karma and to what extent can its principles be universally applied or kept within the traditions of Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism?
Comments and Questions?
Karma in Sanskrit means action, work or deed. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering.
The philosophy of karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian religions. In these schools, karma in the present affects one's future in the current life, as well as the nature and quality of future lives.
However the same principle could be applied to Abrahamic Faiths. For example in Christianity, Christ's Teaching in regards judgment in the next world is in accordance with one's charity (Matthew 25:31-46). Christianity also teaches morals such as one reaps what one sows (Galatians 6:7) and he who lives by the sword dies by the sword (Matthew 26:52).
However many scholars consider the concept of Last Judgment in Christianity as different from karma in Dharmic Faiths. The latter is as an ongoing process that occurs every day in one's life, while the last judgment, is a one-time review at the end of life.
Karma - Wikipedia
So what is karma and to what extent can its principles be universally applied or kept within the traditions of Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism?
Comments and Questions?