Karma
कर्म
Action; deed; the law of consequence
Definition
Pronunciation: KAR-mah
Action; deed; the law of consequence
About Karma
Karma literally means action, but it also refers to the way actions leave traces and produce consequences. In Indian traditions, karma is not cosmic punishment or reward. It is the lawful unfolding of causes set in motion through thought, speech, and behavior.
Karma shapes both outer circumstances and inner patterning. What you repeatedly do becomes easier to do again. What you repeatedly think becomes a groove in perception. In this sense, karma is inseparable from conditioning, habit, and the character you build through repetition.
Karma is often misunderstood as fate. The more precise view is that past action conditions the field, but present awareness still matters. Practice does not erase causality. It changes how you participate in it, which is why conscious action is such a central theme across the path traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Karma mean?
Action; deed; the law of consequence
Which tradition does Karma come from?
Karma is a key term in shared.
How is Karma used in practice?
Karma literally means action, but it also refers to the way actions leave traces and produce consequences. In Indian traditions, karma is not cosmic punishment or reward. It is the lawful unfolding of causes set in motion through thought, speech, and behavior.