Do you believe in Karma? Why or why not?

@godiane (206)
Philippines
October 21, 2008 3:06am CST
Karma is defined as something like, "what comes around goes around". That means, whatever you do unto others will be done unto you. If you did good, expect that it will return to you hundredfolds. If you did bad, then same logic applies. However, I wonder why some evil people seem to still have a good life. So, do you believe in karma? Do you practice it on your everyday life? Your thoughts, please. :)
1 person likes this
5 responses
• India
21 Oct 08
hi We have some misconception related to karma. We think that good acts will bring good result for us and vice versa. But do we know that we are doing only good things? when we walk, we unknowingly kill few ants or something like ants. We act in three spheres - physical, mental and by using words. Sometimes may be we are doing a good job but with a bad mentality. So defining Karma is a difficult things, that's why we are unable to under why someone is in good condition although involved in evil works. If you read The Gita, you'll find the explanation of Karma and how it works. Any act, evening something like eating is an act and hence a karma. Those who know that we are made of perishable physical self and eternal soul, they also know that only physical gets involve in the karma. Soul doesn't get involve in karma. Understanding this is very difficult. But once realized, it'll help us to know more about karma and karma is behind the karmic bondage which causes sadness, happiness etc. This is a very much incomplete description of karma. But yes, I do believe in Karma. In real life, I have understood that I act as HE wants. Behind everything I try to find HIS holy hands and consider myself as HIS servent to carry out HIS works.
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
Hello again! I'll try to look for The Gita and read it. It seems interesting. Thank you for the information! As for me, I don't even know what HE wants for me. I just try to do my work, take care of the things I have to take care of, and always do my best in the things that matter to me.
• India
21 Oct 08
Hi Nobody what HE wants. All we have to do is to remember HIM and realizing that HE is guiding us. Now who is this HE? He may be anyone you want. It's not necessary to be a hindu or christian person. Anyone according to your faith. Yes, The Gita will give you a good idea about the philosophy of life, karma and what is real purpose of our lives without recommending you leaving your family and quitting ecerything you have. That's the beauty of the Gita.
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
I see, I see. I'm now looking for Gita resources on the web. So far I've read that Gita says that we should see God in all things. Thank you again for the information, @tapnaroy12! =)
21 Oct 08
I dont think I believe in Karma. It happened to me that I will take advantage with people I get back worst than what I did to him or her. So it made me decide not to do it anymore, and from that time I started doing things which I think its right. I didnt take advantage to anybody anymore, and I think I can do such things all my life to treat people kindly. But in return I only got hurts and pains, even how tough I had gone through.
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
I see. I've noticed that too. As I've said above, my friend has been going through a lot. Personally, sometimes I don't deserve the things that I went through, or the situations I've been in. I want to always remember the positive aspect of that experience - at least those challenges made me a stronger person, and I've learned a lot from it.
• China
21 Oct 08
I do not believe in Karma,but i believe in Foreordination,i am a fatalist.The Foreordination looks like Karma,it's all about fate,Karma more biased the Riligion,it gives hopes to the people.Foreordination is very despair,it means one person when he was born,all his life gone down in history,never change.But i agree with your mind yet,when we living,we should do something good for the other people.
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
Hi, @u238zpunk! I tried looking up about the topic of foreordination, and it seems to me that this notion is very fatalistic. I do not want to believe in this since that means we don't even own our way of thinking since everything is pre-planned. Thank you for the information. :)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I do believe that if you act out towards other people in ways that are harmful to them that people will treat you equally as bad. I am not totally sold on the idea that if you do good then good will come to you. I have seen too many giving people suffer despite their generosity of spirit. Maybe those people receive their Karma in that it brings them peace to extend goodwill to others.
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
Hi @bostonterrio! I'm also not sold with the idea of you doing good will be returned to you. I know of a person who has been nice his whole life, but had to deal with serious problems lately. Sometimes I feel that he doesn't deserve it, but I can only do so much.
@kenchihi (121)
• Malaysia
21 Oct 08
I think it is unfair for us to judge another person whether they were good or bad in life. Sure the person might had did something really bad in life, but in between that he might have brought a lot of good to others. Karma is just a way for people to make themselves feel better. In a way, it serves as a good way to deter bad habits in society, which is overall good. I believe that there is no right or wrong in this planet, just a bunch of statement, which carry both rights and wrongs. As in, right is just as wrong as wrong is just as right. Truly, they are a gray area that cannot be properly defined. So ya, I don't believe in karma, :) cheers
@godiane (206)
• Philippines
21 Oct 08
Thank you for your response, @kenchihi! I believe that analyzing what is right and what is wrong is definitely more complicated than identifying colors - it's not just black or white. There are inner intentions, history of the person who did the act, and reasons that we might not know while judging the person's action. What I do know is that if what you did caused suffering to other people, and that you have deliberately took part in planning the action, and deliberately hurt the other person, you did wrong. The thing about karma is, it is your responsibility to maintain a good karma.