320-267-4218

What is Karma?

Karma means action, work or deed. It refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future happiness while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma This concept originated in ancient India. Karma is a key concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Taoism.


Basically Karma is action and reaction; if we show goodness we will reap goodness. It is also the object and the intent. The word Kriya is the activity along with the steps of an effort in action, while Karma is the executed action as a consequence of that activity as well as the intention of the actor behind an executed action or planned action. A good action created good karma as does good intent. A bad action creates bad karma as does bad intent. You have probably heard one say that whatever goes around comes around.


With this theory, good action and intent in this lifetime would bring good to the next lifetime. Bad, unethical deeds of a person's action would reap a future lifetime of bad consequences due to the actions of the individual in the previous lifetime.


Symbols of karma include the Endless Knot and the endless knot on Nepalese temple prayer wheel. These are common cultural motifs in Asia. Endless knots symbolize interlinking of cause and effect, a Karmic cycle that continues eternally. The endless knot is visible in the center of the prayer wheel. Karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian religions. Karma in the present affects ones future in the current life as well as the nature of future lives—one's samsara. The origin of karma is in ancient India and it is a key concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Taoism.