Karma in Simple Explanation

Source: KMSPKS

Karma (Sanskrit) or Kamma (Pali) is one of the most profound of Buddhism’s core teachings. "Karma" refers to the actions done by our body, speech and mind. We may find karma difficult to understand as the ripening of karmic fruits is not instantaneous and may happen in our present life or even in one of our future lifetimes. As quoted in Buddhist teachings, “everything we do, even if it’s just spitting in the dust, brings consequences”.

The law of karma can also be explained as the law of cause and effect. The effect of karma, manifesting as our body, appearance, parentage, present life’s friends and relatives, overall situation of life, state of mind including thoughts and emotions etc, are the results of the actions we did in the past. The present we are experiencing is the fruition of our past actions performed either in our present or past lifetimes.

Our future can be determined by every action we do in the present, and this is known as the cause. Explained simply, if our actions are virtuous, the karmic results will be positive; whereas, if the actions are unvirtuous, the karmic outcomes will be negative. These outcomes can affect our practice, while positive ones put us in a favourable position to change ourselves for the better, negative ones create obstacles making the path more difficult to progress.

As the Buddha said, “Intention, I tell you, is karma. Intending, one does karma by way of body, speech and intellect.” (AN 6.63). Our intentions are the determining factor on whether an action will result in positive or negative karma. It is important to assess and reflect on our intentions, though it is not easy as we have a natural tendency to hide the real motives from ourselves and others. Ignorance of our true motivations will not excuse nor relieve us from the karmic consequences that arise from our actions.

The understanding of karma is important to train ourselves to be mindful by reflecting on our intentions before we take any action with our body, speech and mind that may cause suffering to ourselves and others. We can all work towards becoming kind, compassionate and generous people where our intentions and actions do not cause harm nor suffering to ourselves and others.