Significance of Kamma
Kamma in Buddhism denotes the law of moral causation, where actions influence future rebirths and experiences. It encompasses the ethical consequences of deeds performed, whether good or bad, and serves as a critical factor in shaping one's destiny. Different branches like Mahayana and Theravada highlight its role in determining the nature of one's rebirth based on past actions, emphasizing that both intentional actions and their results are crucial for understanding spiritual outcomes and moral implications in life and future existences.
Synonyms: Karma, Action, Deed, Fate, Destiny, Consequence
In Dutch: Kamma; In German: Kamma; In Finnish: Kamma; In Spanish: Kamma
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Kamma'
Kamma in Buddhism represents the law of moral causation, where actions (good or bad) dictate future consequences and rebirths. This concept emphasizes individual responsibility for cultivating happiness and avoiding suffering through intentional deeds.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The law of moral causation in Buddhism, stating that good deeds lead to beneficial outcomes, while harmful actions lead to suffering.[1] (2) The element of intentional actions, particularly focused on good deeds done in the past, that influence future outcomes.[2] (3) The law of moral cause and effect that dictates the future rebirth of individuals based on their deeds.[3] (4) The law of moral causation influencing the actions and future consequences of individuals, reflected in the Rich Man's actions during famine.[4] (5) Kamma refers to the law of moral causation, illustrating the relationship between actions and their results.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The law of moral causation determining the consequences of one's actions, both good and bad.[6] (2) The concept of action and its consequences in both Buddhism and Jainism, with differing interpretations and implications.[7] (3) The concept of action and its consequences, explaining that Nanda's death was due to his previous kamma.[8] (4) The action or volition that shapes the destiny of beings through wholesome or unwholesome actions performed by body, speech, or mind.[9] (5) The law of moral causation that dictates that all actions have consequences; it operates impartially, and individuals are responsible for their own happiness and misery.[10]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The actions or deeds performed by an individual that create future consequences.[11] (2) The law of cause and effect concerning actions, which determines the future experiences of individuals.[12] (3) The law of moral cause and effect that influences the conditions of rebirth, determining the experiences of beings in various realms.[13] (4) Actions that have consequences; in the context, good kamma is mentioned as a result of misguided beliefs leading to rebirth.[14] (5) The law of moral cause and effect, where actions lead to corresponding future results in the cycle of existence.[15]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The actions or volition that condition the experiences and rebirth of an individual, often manifesting as memories or experiences at death.[16] (2) A factor responsible for the generation of certain material groups based on actions.[17] (3) The law of moral causation influencing states of happiness and pain.[18] (4) The moral law of cause and effect, where intentional actions lead to corresponding results.[19] (5) Kamma refers to the past moral and immoral types of consciousness that produce material phenomena. Specifically, actions pertaining to the kama and rupa spheres condition the rebirth-consciousness and manifest material effects at every moment, starting from conception.[20]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) Kamma refers to action or deeds, particularly the moral implications that result from one鈥檚 actions, influencing their future circumstances.[21] (2) Deeds or actions that determine the circumstances of a being's future existence, influencing their experiences in life.[22] (3) Refers to the corresponding actions or deeds, which influence the type of rebirth a being may undergo.[23] (4) Kamma refers to the law of moral causation in Buddhism, indicating that actions (good or bad) lead to future consequences or results.[24] (5) Reflection on good or bad deeds performed in the past, determining the nature of one's next rebirth.[25]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) The moral law of cause and effect in Buddhism where one's actions (good or bad) determine future experiences and rebirth.[26] (2) The actions or deeds that determine the type of cittas arising in life and their consequent states.[27] (3) The actions or deeds that lead to the results (vipaka) of experiences.[28] (4) The actions that produce results, which can lead to different cittas arising based on conditions.[29] (5) Kamma refers to the actions of beings and their consequences, influencing the conditions of rebirth and experiences in life.[30]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) Kamma is the law of cause and effect, where actions lead to consequences, which is highlighted in the text through the author's experiences and understanding.[31] (2) This is the term that describes the actions and their consequences, and the law of kamma is proclaimed with complete certainty.[32] (3) Kamma is what beings in the world keep going on due to, some of which is good and some bad, and they experience results of it, some as happiness, some as discontent and suffering and this goes on all the time.[33] (4) Kamma is referred to as the evil deed that the Upasaka made, and the Acariya states that the tiger was a result of the Upasaka's evil kamma.[34] (5) The law of moral causation which determines the consequences of actions, related to the Acariya's near-death experiences.[35]
From: Patthanuddesa Dipani
(1) Asynchronous kamma serves in place of upanissaya in the discussed consciousness relations.[36] (2) The law of moral causation, which influences the future experiences based on past actions.[37]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) The actions or deeds that have moral implications, which impact future rebirths and experiences.[38] (2) Kamma (Karma) is one of the generators of the Matter Aggregate, influencing actions and their consequences.[39]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) The concept of action and its subsequent effects or results, which can influence an individual's future experiences.[40] (2) The concept of past and present actions which serves as an individual's only property and heritage, influencing their future.[41]
From: Patthana Dhamma
(1) The action or deed that plays a crucial role in the generation of rupa.[42] (2) Action, specifically within the context of moral action that leads to future results or vipaka.[43]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The law of moral causation that governs the ethical dimension of actions and their consequences.[44]
From: Cetasikas
(1) The law of moral causation, where every action has consequences that can affect future rebirths.[45]
From: Catusacca Dipani
(1) The moral law of cause and effect that influences the future experiences of beings based on their actions in this and previous existences.[46]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) Refers to actions and their subsequent effects, emphasizing moral causation in the context of existence and rebirth.[47]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The law of moral causation that determines the nature of rebirth based on actions performed, whether good or bad.[48] (2) Action that serves as the field for consciousness, influencing future rebirth and existence.[49]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The karmic actions that influence future rebirths and spiritual outcomes, crucial in Buddhist understanding.[50]
The concept of Kamma in local and regional sources
Kamma signifies the moral actions or deeds that affect future destinies, intertwined with Buddhist beliefs on moral causation and distinctly referenced in texts. It underscores the relationship between past actions and their consequences, impacting individual experiences of happiness or suffering.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is the action or deeds, which lead to happy and unhappy destinies, and are linked to the "round" in the Buddhist philosophy.[51] (2) Kamma is a category of disease causes and appears distinctly Indian in nature, as mentioned in texts like AN 10.60, and is a result of past actions.[52]
From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka
(1) The law of moral causation, where one's actions influence their future existence both positively and negatively.[53]