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Religious views on karma or deeds of mankind
Religion is like stone soup. If you remember the story of stone soup, where the beggar, not finding food went up to yet another home and offered to prepare stone soup. The hosts were delighted to have something unusual. She asked them to provide all ingredients for the soup and a few washed and clean stones. When the soup was ready, she put in the stones. The hosts as well as the beggar women got to drink the soup. Religions work in the same way. In spite of all the words of gods and those voluminous work on good and evil, a line ultimately warns you that your deeds or karmas are ultimately responsible for you. If my deeds or karmas are responsible for my life in this world and hereafter then why worry about gods and religions. I can keep my deeds or karmas in order and that is it.
Let us see what the different religions of the world have to say about karma of mankind:
BUDDHISM:
“The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of action and reaction; it is a natural law, which has nothing to do with the idea of justice or reward and punishment. Every volitional action produces its effects or results. If a good action produces good effects, it is not justice, or reward, meted out by anybody or any power sitting in judgment of your action, but this is in virtue of its own nature, its own law. This is not difficult to understand. But what is difficult is that, according to karma theory, the effects of a volitional action may continue to manifest themselves even in a life after death” (Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught)
"For, owners of their deeds (karma) are the beings, heirs of their deeds; their deeds are the womb from which they sprang; with their deeds, they are bound up; their deeds are their refuge. Whatever deeds they do-good or evil-of such they will be the heirs. And wherever the beings spring into existence, their deeds will ripen there; and wherever their deeds ripen, there they will earn the fruits of those deeds, be it in this life, or be it in the next life, or be it in any other future life."
- Gautama Buddha
"Surely if living creatures saw the results of all their evil deeds, they would turn away from them in disgust. But selfhood blinds them, and they cling to their obnoxious desires. They crave pleasure for themselves and they cause pain to others; when death destroys their individuality, they find no peace; their thirst for existence abides and their selfhood reappears in new births. Thus they continue to move in the coil and can find no escape, from the hell of their own making."
- Gautama Buddha
"Dependent Origination is the teaching… (that life) is not the mere play of blind chance, but has an existence that is dependent upon conditions. That, precisely with the removal of these conditions, those things that have arisen in dependence upon them-thus also all suffering-must perforce disappear and cease to be."
- Gautama Buddha
"The 'Craving for Eternal Existence' is intimately connected with the 'Eternity- Belief', i.e.; the belief in an absolute, eternal, Ego-entity persisting independently of our body… Verily, because beings, obstructed by delusion and ensnared by craving, now here, and there seek ever fresh delight, therefore, such action comes to ever fresh rebirth and the action that is done out of greed, anger and delusion, that springs from them, has its source and origin there. This action ripens wherever one is reborn and wherever this action ripens, there one experiences the fruits of this action, be it in this life, or the next life, or in some future life."
- Gautama Buddha
"When you lose, do not lose the lesson."
"When you realize you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it."
"Follow the 3 RES. RESpect for others. RESpect for yourself. RESponsibility for all your actions." [I would add RESpect for all life. - EM]
"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message; that is love, compassion, and forgiveness are the important things that should be part of our daily lives."
- Dalai Lama
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
"The law of karma is the principle of cosmic justice that holds, all that good actions will be rewarded and that all wicked actions will be punished. Sometime. Somehow. Somewhere."
- Chanju Mun (Buddhism and Peace)
"What is required is the finding of that Immovable Point within one's self, which is not shaken by any of those tempests which the Buddhists call 'the eight karmic winds': 1-fear of pain, 2-desire for pleasure; 3-fear of loss; 4-desire for gain; 5-fear of blame, 6-desire for praise; 7-fear of disgrace; [and] 8-desire for fame."
- Joseph Campbell & Richard Roberts
"As men think so they are, both here and hereafter, thoughts being things, the parent of all actions, good and bad alike and as the sowing has been, so will the harvest be."
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
- Bible: Galatians (6:7)
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be....fulfilled."
- Bible: Matthew (5:18)
"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."
- Bible: Luke (16:17)
"He, which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he, which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
- Bible: 2 Corinthians (9:6)
"For all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever."
- Bible: 1 Peter (1:24-25)
"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man, who was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, 'Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but the works of God should be made manifest in him'."
- Bible: John (9:1-3)
......(the works of God in this case being the fulfillment of karma)
"Put not off from day to day and from cycle to cycle, is the belief that ye will succeed in obtaining the mysteries when ye return to the world in another cycle."
- Jesus Christ: Gnostic Gospels: Pistis (Knowledge) Sophia (Wisdom)
"The counterfeit of the spirit is stationed without the soul, watching over it and dogging it and the rulers bind it to the soul with their seal and with their bonds and force it to commit mischief unremittingly, that it may be their slave forever, and be under their subjection forever in the transmigration into bodies: And they seal this counterfeit to the soul, so that it may be in every kind of sin and all the desires of the world. It is because of this that I have brought the mysteries into the world, which break all the bonds of the counterfeit of the spirit, which make the soul free and ransom it from the hands of its parents, the rulers, and transform it into pure light, to bring it into the kingdom of the True Father, the first everlasting mystery."
- Jesus Christ: Gnostic Gospels: Pistis (Knowledge) Sophia (Wisdom)
"God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work."
- Bible: Ecclesiastes (3:17)
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."
- Bible: Ecclesiastes (11:9)
"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."
- Bible: Hosea (8:7)
"Even as I have seen, they that plot iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."
- Bible: Job (4:8)
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him."
- Bible: Proverbs (26:27)
HINDUISM:
Karma does not bind one who has renounced work.
Bhagavad Gita
Work done with selfish motives is inferior by far to the selfless service or Karma-yoga. Therefore be a Karma-yogi, O Arjuna. Those who seek [to enjoy] the fruits of their work are verily unhappy [because one has no control over the results].
Bhagavad Gita
In Karma-yoga no effort is ever lost, and there is no harm. Even a little practice of this discipline protects one from great fear of birth and death.
Bhagavad Gita
A man who sees action in inaction and inaction in action has understanding among men and discipline in all action he performs.
Bhagavad Gita
The person whose mind is always free from attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of freedom from Karma through renunciation.
Bhagavad Gita
As the blazing fire reduces wood to ashes, similarly, the fire of Self-knowledge reduces all Karma to ashes.
Bhagavad Gita
Delusion arises from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered. One falls down when reasoning is destroyed.
Bhagavad Gita
There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.
Bhagavad Gita
One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honor and dishonor; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.
Bhagavad Gita
One gradually attains tranquility of mind by keeping the mind fully absorbed in the Self by means of a well-trained intellect, and thinking of nothing else.
Bhagavad Gita
The power of God is with you at all times; through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions; and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument.
Bhagavad Gita
“Sages discovered this link of the existent to the nonexistent, having searched in the heart with wisdom”
Rig Veda quotes
“Ego is the biggest enemy of humans”
Rig Veda quotes.
“A person can achieve everything by being simple and humble”
Rig Veda quotes.
“People who are soft spoken and truthful are loved by all”
Rig Veda quotes.
“When there is harmony between the mind, heart, and resolution then nothing is impossible”
Rig Veda quotes.
“People accept only that person as their leader who is radiant with good knowledge and karma (deeds)”
Rig Veda quotes.
“A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem” Rig Veda quotes.
“The real happiness of life is in doing 'karma”
Rig Veda quotes.
“One should, perform karma with nonchalance without expecting the benefits because sooner or later one shall definitely get the fruits”
Rig Veda quotes.
"Ho! Ye who suffer! Know ye suffer from yourselves. None else compels."
- The Lords of Karma
"The individual self, augmented by its' aspirations, sense contact, visual impressions and delusion, assumes successive forms in accordance with it's actions… So it is that we live in accordance with our deep, driving desire. It is this desire at the time of death that determines what our next life is to be. We will come back to Earth to work out the satisfaction of that desire."
- Svetasvtara Upanishad
"What becomes of this man? Indeed, one becomes good by good action and bad by bad action."
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Sage Yajnavalkya)
ISLAM:
"To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward," (Surah 5:9).
"And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment," (42:26)
"O you who believe! If you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace," (8:29)
"Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will be successful. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls; in hell will they abide," (23:102-103).
“Surely they who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve. (The Cow 2.277)”
JAINISM:
The relation between the soul and karma is beginning-less but not endless. This beginning-less relation can be ended forever. Karma is matter (Pudgala). The body is material. Its cause is karma.
Hence karma is also a matter. The inherent causes of a material effect are a material. The earth is a matter, It is elemental, so the object made from it must also be material/elemental.
Happiness is experienced by means of agreeable material like food, etc. and unhappiness is experienced by being hit by a weapon. Food and weapons are both material, so also karma; the cause of happiness and misery is material.
The soul is bound by fetters. It prattles, when liquor is consumed or becomes intoxicated. It becomes unconscious by smelling chloroform. The fetters, liquor, chloroform, etc. are material objects, inert objects. They affect the body, the mind and the soul. Similarly, by coming into contract with karma, which is inert matter, the fundamental qualities like knowledge, perception, etc. of the soul are covered and it experiences happiness and misery
Karma is not of one type but of many types. There are 8 main types according to the effect produced. It is called ‘Prakrtibandha’. The original Prakrtis of Karma are eight. Prakrti means nature. Karma has nature of 8 types as follows :
If there is a bandage over the eye, nothing can be seen even if the eye is there. There is infinite knowledge in the soul, but as long as this karma remains an obstruction over the soul, the soul cannot obtain knowledge. This karma becomes an obstruction in obtaining knowledge. This karma is of 5 types.
How is this Karma formed ?
Jnanavaraniya karma is formed in these six ways;
(1) by censuring knowledge and the learned.
(2) by showing hatred towards knowledge and the learned.
(3) by insulting knowledge and the learned.
(4) by forgetting the obligations of the learned.
(5) by quarrelling with the learned without any cause and
(6) by causing obstacles to the learner and the learned.
The Fruits of Karma
On account of this Jnanavaraniya karma, the soul become deaf, dumb, or of retarded mind. It may not have pure intellect and may not acquire the knowledge of the soul. Such are the fruits of this karma.
2. Darsanavaraniya karma (karma which obscures cognition) :
The matter which obscures the quality of infinite cognition of the soul, is called ‘Darsana-varaniya-karma’.
One cannot enter the area guarded by a watchman. Similarly this karma obscures the cognition of the soul. This karma has nine types.
How is this karma formed ?
Darsanavaraniya karma is formed by censuring virtuous people, by showing contempt towards the virtuous and learned people, by being ungrateful, by doubting the word of god and by creating obstructions in religious practices.
The Fruits of this Karma
Because of darsanavarniya karma the soul cannot see properly, can become blind, may be a victim of insomnia, may sleep while sitting or moving, cannot see god, etc. These are the fruits of this karma.
3. Vedaniya Karma :
The matter which makes you experience happiness and unhappiness, is called ‘Vedaniya karma’. This karma resembles the edge of a sword. If honey is applies to the edge of a sword and if somebody licks it, he experiences sweetness in the beginning but later on feels pain and misery on account of the cut caused by the edge. If one licks the edge of a sword to which opium is applied, he experiences bitterness first and pain later on.
One experiences happiness and unhappiness also by this karma. This Karma has two varieties.
How is this Karma formed ?
Satavedaniya karma is accumulated by showing mercy to all living beings, by sharing the unhappiness of unhappy people and reducing their misery.
Asatavendaniya karma is accmulated by troubling and harming living beings and by becoming happy in their misery.
The Fruits of this Karma
Satavendaniya karma gives pleasing and likeable enjoyments.
Asatavedaniya karma gives miseries like poverty, disease, etc. in return.
4. Mohaniya Karma :
The matter which makes the soul passionate and deluded is called ‘Mohaniya karma’.
A man taking narcotics cannot have any sort of discretion. Similarly on account of this karma, the soul forgets itself and becomes attached to transient enjoyments.This karma has 28 varieties.
How is this Karma formed ?
Mohaniya karma is accumulated by outburst of too much anger, pride, deceit and greed; by practising irreligion in the name of religion, by following bad conduct, by committing adultery etc.
Fruits of this Karma
Because of this karma, the soul becomes deluded, excessively attached and passionate. It becomes jealous, quarrelsome, deceitful and hypocritical. It becomes frightened without reason or with reason and full of sorrow, etc.
5. Ayusya Karma :
The matter which creates life is called Ayusya Karma. This karma resembles a prison. A man imprisoned in a jail cannot go or come according to his desire. Similarly, the soul remains imprisoned in the prison in the form of the body on account of this karma.
This karma has 4 types.
How is this Karma formed ?
1. By taking those professions wherein living beings are killed every moment; 2. By hoarding; 3. By meat-eating; 4. A soul goes to the hell by killing a living being having 5. Senses.
2. A living being goes to the tiryanca birth i.e. gets the birth of an animal or a bird by 1. telling lies deceitfully 2. by treachery 3. by telling lies; 4. by using wrong scales.
3. A living being, who is (1) naturally free from fraud, (2) who is courteous by nature, (3) merciful and free from jealousy, gets the birth of a human being.
4. A living being gets the birth of a god i.e. he becomes a god, a goddess, an Indra or an Indrani by 1. observing self-control after initiation, 2. by observing the 12 vows as a house holder, 3. by performing penances and 4. by enduring pain with quanimity.
The fruits of this karma
With the accmulation of karma as said above, the soul enjoys various kinds of fruits.
6. Namakarma :
That matter (pudgala) on account of which various materials of life become available, is called ‘Namakaram’. This karma is like a painter. Just as a painter paints various types of pictures with a pencil or a brush, so the soul assumes bodies of various forms and shapes.This karma has 103 varieties.
How is this Karma formed ?
Good ‘Namakarmas’ are accmulated by keeping the mind, speech and body straightforward and pure and by behaving with love and friendliness with all. Bad ‘namakarmas’ are formed by keeping the mind, words and body crooked and by quarrelling.
The Fruits of this Karma
By good namakarma, one gets desired enjoyments, fame, beauty, happiness, health, etc.
By bad namakarma, scarcity, bad feelings and pain are suffered. It also results in ill-fame, diseases, etc.
7. Gotra Karma :
This Karma has two types - higher and lower.
That pudgala (matter) by the power of which, one attains to a higher family is higher ‘gotra karma’ and that pudgala (matter) by the power of which, one is condemned to a lower family is called lower ‘gotra karma’.
This Karma is like a potter. Just as a potter makes utensils of various types from the same lump of clay, similarly only one body (i.e. the same body) has experience of various types on account of this karma.
How is this Karma formed ?
Lower ‘Gotra Karma’ is bound by showing pride and vanity in any one or more of these eight - caste, fruit, stength, beauty, penances, knowledge, gain and lordliness.
By not showing pride in all these things, higher ‘Gotra Karma’ is formed.
The furits of this Karma are as follows :
By higher ‘Gotra Karma’ one reaps good things. He gets birth in a happy, prosperous and cultured family. He acquires beauty, strength and wealth. By lower ‘Gotra Karma’, he gets the opposite of the above, viz., he gets birth in a lower caste and family. He also suffers poverty, disease, ugliness etc.
8. Antaraya Karma :
The pudgala (matter) creating obstruction to active power is called ‘Antaraya’ (Obstacle) Karma’. This Karma is like a treasurer. The institution or the owner may have sanctioned the amount to be given, but that amount can be collected only when the treasurer gives it. Similarly, the soul has infinite powers and qualities, but they are obstructed by this karma. This karma has 5 varieties.
How is this Karma formed ?
This Antaraya Karma is bound (1) by becoming an obstacle, when somebody is giving charitable gifts, (2) by coming in the way of somebody’s gain; (3) by stopping somebody’s food and drink; and (4) by stopping somebody from performance of religious mediation, etc.
The fruits of this karma
On account of this Karma, the person cannot give charitable gifts, cannot make gains, cannot enjoy various enjoyments and cannot worship god.
As long as the soul is concerned and connected with these eight karmas and their sub-divisions, the rebirth connected with these eight karmas and their sub-divisions, the rebirth of the soul goes on.
Rebirth means constant movement of the cycle of life and death.
JUDAISM:
A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.
Jewish Proverb
As he thinks in his heart, so he is.
Jewish Proverb
As you teach, you learn.
Jewish Proverb
Do not be wise in words - be wise in deeds.
Jewish Proverb
Don't look for more honour than your learning merits.
Jewish Proverb
First mend yourself, and then mend others.
Jewish Proverb
He that can't endure the bad, will not live to see the good.
Jewish Proverb
If not for fear, sin would be sweet.
Jewish Proverb
What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth.
Jewish Proverb
SIKHISM:
Give up your selfishness, and you shall find peace; like water mingling with water, you shall merge in absorption.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
The person who is basically evil by nature will always be averse to virtuous deeds. He is always engaged in bad karma.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
People are entangled in the enjoyment of fine clothes, but gold and silver are only dust. They acquire beautiful horses and elephants, and ornate carriages of many kinds. They think of nothing else, and they forget all their relatives. They ignore their Creator; without the Name, they are impure.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
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VARIOUS/MODERN:
"The centre of the soul is God; and, when the soul has attained to Him according to the whole capacity of its being, which is the strength and virtue of the soul, it will have reached the last and the deep centre of the soul, which will be when with all its powers it loves and understands and enjoys God."
- St. John of the Cross (Living Flame of Love)
"God says to man: 'Be thou thyself, and I shall be thine.'"
- Nicolaus of Cusa
"Yet through all, we know this tangled skein is in the hands of One,
Who sees the end from the beginning: He shall unravel all."
- Alexander Smith
"...each human being is the center of the universe, for God lives equally in all."
- Irving S. Cooper (Reincarnation: A Hope of the World)
"Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead. It is going on all the time."
- Charlotte Perkins Gilman
"Love - is anterior to Life - Posterior - to Death - Initial of Creation, and The Exponent of Earth."
- Emily Dickinson
"What thou seest, that thou be'st: dust if thous seest dust, God if thou seest God."
- Edgar Cayce
"…a healer's heritage is as much Christ and Krishna as it is Freud and Jung… therefore a healer's capacity to help is limited only by his spirit which is limitless…"
- Krishan Bir MA PhD
"The journey of Soul… by the lessons gained in the physical experience… it may take (its) place in the realms of soul activity in an infinite world among others that have passed through the various realms… which first called every soul and body into experience."
- Edgar Cayce
"For we have come by different ways to this place… I can tell by the natural ease with which you wear fine clothes and the way your mouth moves when you speak with waiters in good restaurants. You have come the way of castles and cathedrals, of elegance and empire."
- Robert James Waller
"Karma is not something pessimistic. If you think of karma as something wrong, you are seeing karma only according to what happened in the past... So you should also look at karma in the present and future. Then karma becomes something very wide and really alive. Through karma you can understand what your destiny is... it's something you can create. You can create your life. That is why we study karma."
- Dainin Katagiri (Each Moment Is the Universe)
"Many times man lives and dies between his two eternities:
that of race and that of Soul…
A brief parting from those dear is the worst man has to fear…
Though gravediggers' toil is long…
They but thrust their buried men back in the human mind again."
- W. B. Yeats
"World War II showed it was not gods that must be placated, but something inside the heart of man that lets him to destroy with savage intensity and on a grand scale those of his own kind who have offended him."
- Helen Wambach (Life Before Life)
"It is not enough to know about reincarnation; we must live it."
- Guenther Wachsmuth
"When we cross the gates of death, our karma is all we take with us. Everything else that we enjoyed in this life we leave behind... Our karma is the only thing that will count in determining our rebirth, for our next life is nothing but the effects of our karmic tendencies that materialize in our perception."
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