The Concept of Karma

The Ancient Concept of Karma

Religion is the heartbeat of every culture that has ever been a part of the human race’s existence. It is what gives people hope, faith, something to believe in, and something that encourages them to be the best person that they can possibly be. Karma is a huge aspect of many religions, specifically in Hinduism. The concept of karma greatly empowers those said traits in religion. Ever since ancient and classical Indian culture, karma has impacted people all over the world. Whether it is because of one’s religion, their beliefs, or even fears; karma has impacted a great majority of people in one way or another over the years. The concept of karma is focused by the idea that God is not completely responsible for the success, happiness, depression, or failure of an individual, but instead, we as individuals are responsible for the consequences caused by our own actions. Every person on this earth is believed to have a “higher self”. Some may consider this higher self as a conscience, but either way, it is something that is aware of any inequalities or short cuts that may be taken in life by one’s lower self. One as a conscious entity truly has first power of control. A person’s higher self is not in complete physical control of them whatsoever. The second self rather keeps the lower self, knowledgeable of the fact that there always needs to be a fair, level playing field in life. One should not try and create short cuts through cheating and dishonesty. This second order of control is what is known as karma (Chapple). “Karma is a concept common to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, but interpreted in different ways” (religionfacts). The ancient concept of karma is a spiritual doctrine based on the theory of cause and effect, action and reaction, in which one’s actions in life will lead up to what will happen to them in the future. Saying that, karma’s theory of cause and effect often gets the blame for all of