I found karma to be a very intriguing topic within Buddhism and how they believe something such as intent of actions determine such a major part in the reincarnation of a soul and ultimately liberation from rebirth. Willful intentions, whether good or bad, create a cycle of the soul. While most people feel that karma is “what goes around comes around,” I do not feel like that saying is truly karma in the Buddhist sense. Rebirth seems to be an integral idea of karma and someone’s reality is a reflection of their thoughts and actions, not just doing one thing wrong and getting reprimanded or chastised for it.
The substance of the unconscious mind and pressures of desires unfulfilled, dreams unrealized, and incompletion of the soul’s mission to the ultimate afterlife are the keys to karma. The human potential for spiritual and personal growth aids in making karma into wisdom, understanding and virtue. It seems that a Buddhist’s life and character were created by karma and that shaped by imagination and intelligence. I believe they think it is paramount for individuals to achieve a clearer understanding of their personal karma to find out what triggers it and what resolves it so they may actualize their potential and become finally free. In the good sense, karma can inspire change and it spreads good since the belief that everything a person does actively contributes to their past, present and future experiences. It isn’t necessarily about what is good or bad, but the cause and effect nature; doing good leads to more good. This cycle of cause and effect is the summation of all that an individual has done, is doing and will do. Karma makes someone responsible for their own life and the pain in others. Because of the belief of reincarnation, one’s karma is extended throughout all their lives. This natural, impersonal law of moral cause and effect seems to have no direct connection to the “supreme power” that dictates punishment of forgiveness of sins. I think a good analogy for karma and the fundamental consciousness is the ground keeping footprints caused by our actions, or even seeds left; after a seed is planted, it remains for germination and ripening once the conditions come together. The Three Root Evils of greed, hate and delusion that affect karma seem to go beyond Buddhism; greed and lust are part of the “seven deadly sins” and delusion, or lying, is in the Ten Commandments. I find karma to be universal, whether by the same name or not, it still seems to be a subject in all the religions that I have some knowledge about. I find it to be comparative to the Christian “Golden Rule,” “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” While not quite the same idea, it does translate overall into doing good, the same basic concept of karma.
I think that if people accept the basic ethical purpose of karma is behaving responsibly then it might be possible for us to identify analogs with other religions that do not rely on karma as a metaphysical doctrine. It seems to me that karma does not specifically concern itself with salvation; it is also important in the socio-ethical position.
Though in this current media generation filled with paparazzi and celebrity obsession, it looks like we are in a state of moral decline, more people are cynical towards religion in modern life. Regardless of this, karma is an idea that can remain free of judgment since it does not threaten mainstream beliefs. A basic human need is for the world to have order and karma seems to be an answer to this.
The punishment fits the crime; if you push the universe, it pushes back, but equally. The understanding of why bad things happen does not seem easily distinguishable though. There is a delicate balance in the universe that bust be kept and these principles also apply to karma. Everyday people should consciously think about their choices and doing the right things for not only themselves, but also others. Changing our focus from whether Britney Spears is a good parent to whether we are a good parent would be much more meaningful in restoring balance. I think there is an inner voice in everyone that tells us what to do and it is growing dimmer.
Karma can be applied in everyone’s lives regardless of age, race, sex or religion. Though it may be referred to in a different term, it is universal. I think karma is helpful for people to explain a situation that otherwise they could not understand.