Concept of Karma in Different Religions - Essay Example

Concept of Karma in Different Religions The following content display a comparison between the underpinning concerning the concept of karma in three religions. The chosen religion for the assessment includes Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Herein, it should be noted that the concept of karma is not just limited to the following religions but also in various other major religions of the world including Muslim etc. Karma in Hinduism Hinduism is a religion where the deities have a number of roles to play. It is due to this reason that the followers of Hinduism tend to worship different images of their deities. There are a number of texts that are used for the need of guidance in their daily routine. Since there are many versions of the holy text, there are various underpinning of the concept of Karma in Hinduism. The common grounds on which the concept of Karma is accepted and practiced in Hinduism are the life hereafter. It is stated that the life after death depend upon the deeds of a person. The role or the body that the person will enliven would depend on the actions that include animal, bird or human etc. In order to successfully obtain a peaceful second life, one needs to go through the process of Moksha. The process of karma is also known as process of samsara in Hindu religion (Plate). Karma in Jainism Karma is considerably a physical substance in the religion of Jainism. It is stated that the deeds and words that are uttered by humans make them live the life they are living. It is important to utter good words so that the substance of karma remains alive and is not affected. The present life of an individual is basically dependent upon the life they spent before. The presence of karma, being a physical substance, is present in the universe around us. The substance is carried from one life to another is by the soul that is also known as Jiva. There is an avid possibility of expiry of the particles if the individuals intend to cause any damage to others. It is considered that the followers of Jainism try to get away with the cycle of re-birth for which they try to take care of their karma or particles of karma that would tag along their soles in the next life as well. The definition of physical particles has been remarked over and over in the religion of Jainism. The concept of karma remains strict and firm unlike Hinduism. Karma in Buddhism The concept of karma remains similar in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It is state by the followers of Buddhism that the impact of the deeds in the present life directly impacts the next life. The present time is also a product of the previous lives. For instance, if a person is happy and has every wish completed in the present time is merely because the person must have lived a life full of good deeds. It is also said as per the texts of Buddhism that karma is one of the features of life that are indispensible. Karma is known to be a process through which every person has to go through. There are no punishments or rewards associated with the process of karma in the religion of Buddhism. Bad deeds will result in a rotten state of individual in the hell while people with good deeds will go to heaven. Buddhism is a religion that marks that nothing is going to stay forever and therefore, individuals need to undertake positive actions (Plate). Through the above analysis, it comes to understanding that the concept of karma remains different in various religion based upon the religious teachings. However, there is one sole conceptual underpinning of karma i.e. the deeds of an individual l is prone to affect a person’s life hereafter. The three religions evaluated for the need of finding out conceptual underpinning of karma marks that there is a similarity in the understanding of karma as a concept. In addition, in the three religions including Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism share almost same view when it is understood in the premise of indispensible concept of life. In other words, it is a life order through which no follower can get away easily. Therefore, the followers of the respective religion need to act positively and humanly. 2- Difference between Catholicism and Reformation Christianity The major difference between both Catholicism and reformed Christianity is basically the authenticity of the guidelines. The former considers the church to be the only teaching guide while on the other hand, reformed Christianity claims that the pope or the successor is the head of the church. Catholic followers believe that the church is major source of information when it comes to religious guidance and may never be ruled by anyone else. Catholicism marks that it is the duty of the individuals to understand bible without interpreting by any other source. Christianity marks that the understanding of Bible is associated with the exegesis of every verse from the bible. Catholicism claims that individuals are justified with the help of baptism. On the other hand, it is extremely dependent on individuals to undertake good work with the help of positive deeds. Christians believe that there is an avid need of working and cleansing beliefs because baptized person does not enough when it comes to religious understand. Individuals need to explore their paths and practice the teachings of religion (Plate). Christianity maintain that if a person has not spent life in a fruitful manner i.e. by doing good deeds then it is expected then the period of rebuttal can be very critical for the individual. Also, the duration is also dependent upon the time spent in undertaking evil deeds. It is due to this reason that the individual are expected to spend life in such a way that they are not involved in any wrongdoing. However, this aspect is almost similar in Catholicism. Works Cited Plate, S. Brent. Religion, Art, and Visual Culture: A Cross-Cultural Reader. California: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. Print. Read More