Instant Karma

Also known as The Law of Cause and Effect. The word Karma is translated from the Sanskrit as “action”. At its simplest, the concept of Karma stands for the proposition that actions have consequences, and the character of the action determines the type of consequence. Positive action produces positive effect, for example, negative action negative effect, and neutral action neutral effect. Whenever a human being acts, the actions have some sort of consequences, like a stone thrown into a pool of still water produces ripples which extend out in all directions until reaching the edge of the pool.

So when we act we produce something, let’s call it energy, which continues to exist and affect not only me as the actor but everyone around me. The effect of our actions, both positive and negative comes back to us in a myriad of ways. It is exceptionally difficult for the western mind to accept the fact that the bad things happening to us right now may have been born of the bad acts we ourselves performed in another life. As westerners reared in a monotheistic tradition we have been comforted by the concept of forgiveness and salvation and the potential to experience redemption through faith. The Hindu approach to Karma sort of gets around this dichotomy, but that is a discussion for another posting.

How we handle present conditions determines subsequent conditions. This is probably the most important aspect of the law of karma. What we are now determines what we will be. If something negative happens to us, the Buddhist approach is acceptance and equanimity. This is also difficult for the western mind. We are fixers and doers, not passive conduits for energy. But acceptance does not mean passivity. Bodhidharma, the great Master who brought Zen to China writes about living out this karmic life at its most difficult times, when adversity strikes:

"When those who search for the Path encounter adversity,they should think to themselves, In countless ages gone by, I've turned from the essential to the trivial and wandered through all manner of existence, often angry without cause and guilty of numberless transgressions. Now,though I do no wrong, I'm punished by my past. Neither gods nor men can foresee when an evil deed will bear its fruit. I accept it with an open heart and without complaint of injustice. The sutras say,When you meet with adversity don't be upset, because it makes sense. "

Acceptance should not be confused with passivity. Buddhist practice is has nothing to do with apathetic acceptance and withdrawal from society. We might need to accept the tough shit that comes our way but reacting to it by blaming others or getting angry or depressed we only compound the problem by creating even more negative karma. Accepting one’s circumstance does not mean liking it, nor does it foreclose the possibility of changing it.

If you were to imagine that Buddhism offers a way to step outside the wheel of cause and effect, you would be correct. That too will have to wait for another posting.