[giftplas]

TMW: The Philosophy of Karma (Action)

Karma has an interesting interpretation in the west. Most people believe the underlying philosophy of karma to be something along the lines of do bad and bad will come to you. Dictionary.com defines karma “as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation”. Karma to wikipedia is “the concept of “action” or “deed” in Dharmic religions, understood as a term to denote the entire cycle of cause and effect as described in the philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism.”

The popular understanding, along with both dictionary.com and wikipedia are missing the actuality karma. The literal translation for karma is action, which is what wikipedia had it as.

This is where it all starts going wrong.

One of The Buddha’s Five Remembrances is what I used to reach the true nature of karma.

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.
The Philosophy of karma is that you, in every moment, are the result of your karma. It is not something coming to you later on, or haunting you, it is every moment and only that moment. For any single action to take place, a multitude of other actions/events must have lined up allowing that event to be. Below are two examples of karma/action, then a wrap up on how karma is the result, not the cause.

Common examples of bad karma that will ‘catch up’ to a person are negative qualities like stealing, cheating, lying, etc. Each of these very actions when being committed/acted is punishment of itself. To steal, to cheat, to lie is not something that comes easy to humans, and once started, becomes easier and easier to continue(the continuation/development of bad karma). Each of these actions is like withholding water/sun and other quality from a flower. The flower get weaker and duller, slowly it shrivels up and dies as a result of the actions.

Common examples of good karma that will ‘catch up’ to a person are positive qualities like helping others, donating money, etc. Each of these actions, when being committed is the actual reward. The joy that is received from helping others in a tough situation or giving out of love and compassion is like a flower receiving fertilizer; the flower grows that much stronger and brighter.

Looking at action, regardless of positive/negative|good/bad, the action is the result of something; it is the effect of other causes. To end up in another country one does not just click their fingers. One must find a method to get there, pack up, make arrangements for transportation and living at both ends, communicate to their family/friends what is going to take place. Then after ALL of this, the person finally takes karma(action). They are living their karma, their action.