by L A Myers-Campos

Created on: September 12, 2009

Karma is the inherent justice of the universe and governs the actions of all sentient beings existing in the wheel of samsara. It is both impersonal and impartial. It maintains balance through the laws of cause and effect. Ultimately, it means that no good deed goes unrewarded and no evil deed goes unpunished, whether in this life or the next. The reward is happiness and the punishment is suffering. It is through Karma that each soul works out its own salvation, by its actions.

"I am the owner of my karma.
I inherit my karma.
I am born of my karma.
I am related to my karma.
I live supported by my karma.
Whatever karma I create, whether good or evil, I will inherit."
(Anguttara Nikaya 5, 57)

In the process of cause and effect, Karma is a cause. The word Karma literally means "action, performance, doing." Action is an idea not confined to only physical deeds; it includes all thoughts and spoken words. All that you think, say, and do is Karma.

"Intention, I tell you, is karma. Intending, one does karma by way of body, speech, and intellect.
(Nibbedhika Sutta 6, 63)

All action springs from the mind and brings forth a result. The result, then, is the effect. The effect may manifest immediately in the present life, in the future of the present life, or at some point in another life. When events appear that are conducive to the fulfillment of Karma, then results will manifest.

That which comes from the mind is motivation and has everything to do with determining the result of any action, whether a thought, word, or deed. Motivation is the seed of Karma and there are three types of motivation: wholesome, unwholesome, and ignorant. If the mind is enlightened and liberated, it is rooted in generosity, goodwill, and understanding; and its seeds are wholesome. The afflicted and delusional mind is rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion; and its seeds are unwholesome. Wholesome seeds bring forth good fruit, and unwholesome seeds bring forth rotten fruit. The seed of ignorance, from the mind that is unaware of either enlightenment or delusion, is a wild card and can bring forth either, depending upon various other factors and conditions. Even an act that is well intentioned but done in ignorance can result in negative results.

Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.
Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do one greater good than one's own well-directed mind.
(Dhammapada 3, 42 & 43)

Karma is not fate or destiny. Fate is conditional circumstances within which one frames their intentions, and is dependent upon that which is outside the self. Karma is volitional; that is, it is borne from the will and is governed within self. When self-will interacts with fate, it becomes one's destiny. Karma is the role that the self plays in determining destiny within the framework of fate.

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