Karma

“Karma” the book is a very nice read about Karma – what it is, what it is not and why it matters – as it is subtitled. The lucid explanation of such a profound phenomenon was indeed a reminder about the many misconceptions surrounding the wildly used, often quoted term.

The author traces the history of karma beginning from its Indian origins rooted in the Hindu tradition to the Buddhist ideas on the same and how it differs even among the various branches of Buddhism.  Originally the term meant just “action” and it was mostly used in the context of performing actions/rituals by the Vedic priests. It took on different flavors/meanings along the years and began to be strongly associated with cause and event especially with the introduction of Buddha’s ideas. The author reminds us that karma is not to be associated with the idea of a single cause creating an event/result. Instead, it is the interconnection and interaction of a multitude of causes and conditions that actually result in an event or one’s state.  One’s thoughts (and words) can have a profound effect on another’s life. It is not static but dynamic. It is not a simple concept but rather a complex phenomenon.

A clear demarcation between Hinduism’s reincarnation and Buddhism’s rebirth is drawn along the way since karma seems to be intrinsically tied to reincarnation/rebirth. Reincarnation maintains that an indestructible spirit-soul remains even as the physical body passes away. Buddha’s concept of rebirth does not endorse an eternal spirit-soul. Buddha saw everything including one’s thoughts, feelings and emotions to be ever changing, never constant. Therefore at the time of rebirth everything is anew, including one’s thoughts and body while certain karmic impressions - tendencies/propensities – may be carried over to the next life. In fact it is the “left over” karmic impressions that is the reason for rebirth. The concepts of good karma and bad karma is explained and that the ultimate aim is to rid oneself of both good karma and bad karma to attain nirvana and freedom from the cycle of birth and death and (re)birth and death and (re)birth…

The author encourages exploring karma as a basis for our moral and ethical values. For it is only when an inner understanding or conviction of our wrong doings occur that true transformation of one’s life can happen. Embracing the idea of karma might easily lead one to that. The author encourages people to have open-mindedness towards the idea of karma, not to reject it as some superstitious, archaic stuff. He is very much concerned that “modern” Western philosophers, scholars, secularists are rejecting/downplaying this significant and active and ever present truth of karma in our lives.

It was a very good, uplifting 150 pages read! The author is Traleg Kyabgon.