by Guise

Created on: July 12, 2009   Last Updated: July 15, 2009

There is a story about a young Buddhist follower. He, or she, approached the Buddha, asking why such inequality in human suffering exists. The response given was this: "All living beings have actions (Karma) as their own, their inheritance, their congenital cause, their kinsman, their refuge. It is Karma that differentiates beings into low and high states."

Karma: It's the universe presenting human kind with "moral causation", for both our hardships and blessings. The reasons, if any, at the heart of a familiar phenomenon presented by such questions as "Why do bad things happen to good people?", would be too difficult to comprehend. Though it seems that from the east comes a theory offering closure to this query...

Karma attempts to give us reasons why one's life is lived in happiness, misery, poverty, immense wealth, etc. However, these reasons are specific to each individual human being, but add up to a global inequality of sheer circumstance. Though, according to Karma, the truth is that because of choices made both presently and in the past, a certain path is laid that we must follow. Collectively then, all of our determined choices shape the reality we perceive.

Perception is everything in this world... and along with intention; which is why Karma becomes an important metaphysical tool used to shape your reality. Whether the effect is felt in this lifetime, or a future "reincarnation", the theory presents a valid argument for human suffering. Consequently, the forces of such a powerful universal energy, constantly pose new challenges to our own individualized evolution.

However, within the eastern philosophy of Karma lies a spiritual message rooted in an absolute truth: it is our responsibility to grow through each life event. And from these lessons we learn that the power to change your karma, simply by making different choices, is yours alone. However, you can't learn anything by taking the same test over and over again.

With Karma, there is no accidental, or coincidental force involved. It's safe to say that the theory presents a lesson in self-responsibility... learn from your mistakes, and move on. Life is about evolving and not remaining stagnant. You control the contexts in which you may find yourself, and you also have the power to shape a successful future regardless of any insecurity. What does this mean for the average individual though? He or she who proscribes neither to Hinduism, nor Buddhism? Of course it's only natural they see themselves as moral individuals, but whenever something bad occurs, the question "Why?" is often uttered in a slunk of self pity.

It seems that the teachings of Karma, provide us with an answer for random occurrences of hardships in human life... and it can be summed up in a way by saying: Bad things happen because, in some past life or parallel universe, we made a choice. One that set specific events in motion, which created a negative (or positive) reality for us to not only experience, but also learn valuable lessons from. It may be a harsh, brash and completely off color truth, but there is no one else to blame other than yourself. That is why, at least in my opinion, bad things happen to good people; and just generally, anyone else who considers him or herself to be "good".

References:

(http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm) ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism ;

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