What Is Karma in a religious View - Essay Example

In a religious view, karma is sometimes viewed as a way of punishing wrongdoers. In the modern century, karma has lost its sensitivity as many people only believe in justice through legal bodies or revenge. Psychologists argue that this is caused by the lack of sensitivity and religious roots in society. In India religions like Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain hold significant sensitivity when it comes to karma. This paper will focus on the perspective of karma depending on the three religions. Additionally, the paper will highlight the difference between the beliefs associated with karma from the three religions.

The nature of karma in Hinduism

            Hinduism strongly associates karma with God.  This is the factor that makes differentiate their belief from Jain and Buddhism. In the latter religions, karma is not associated with any deity as everyone is believed to reap the effects of their actions in one way or another. In Hinduism karma is either a blessing or curse from God. Hinduism also has a perception that karma is not a punishment from God but is the result of someone’s action. Additionally, karma is generated and executed from the will of God. Karma in Hinduism is executed by the slogan I you sow goodness you will reap goodness but if you sow wickedness you will reap wickedness. In Hindu karma is associated with the believers of Vedanta who consider Ishvara as a supreme God (Jaini, 98). People under Hinduism also have the perception that the effects of karma are reduced by doing actions that are not liable to punishment. According to Danny, there are also ways that karma can be mitigated in Hinduism and one of them is by doing good deeds (89).

The nature of Karma in Jainism

            In Jainism, "karma" exhibits a completely different explanation from that usually understood in Hindu philosophy and other western religions. In Jainism, karma is known as karmic dirt, since it consists of very fine and microscopic elements that spread through the entire world. Karma is lured to the karmic field of a living thing because of its vibrations created from the activities of the brain, dialogue, and body plus various cerebral dispositions. Therefore, karma can be referred to as the consciousness of a living thing. When Karma and consciousness have combined the life we live at the presented is created.

The main reason why the understanding of karma in Jainism is different from other religions is that:

1. Karma is a naturally occurring phenomenon that does not need any external force to direct its effects.
2. Jainism holds the perception that the karma of a living thing is changed not only by actions but also thoughts.
3. According to Jain theology, a living thing is introduced to the world when its karma can handle worldly occurrences.
4. The karmic hypothesis in Jainism functions endogenously.
5. Jainism has the assumption that every soul has the capability of having nirvana and for this reason, every soul should be treated equally.

The nature of karma in Buddhism

            In this religion, karma is classified as a cause and not a result. It is defined by causes and effects rather than the effects caused by karma. In Buddhism, karma is dictated by the ability of a person to plant the seeds of goodness in their thoughts and brain in order to have good actions. The results resulting from one's actions are not classified as karma as since the fruits of one’s actions can be changed the action and thoughts one has (Jaini, 123). In Buddhism, any action is viewed as constructing "seeds" in the brain that will develop into the proper outcomes (Pāli vipaka) when combined with the proper conditions.