What is karma?

Karma is a Sanskrit word (kamma in Pali) that simply means “action”. In the Buddha’s teaching it refers to intentional action of body, speech and mind, and to the way such actions shape what follows.

Intention is what counts

The Buddha defined karma as intention. He said that it is by intending that a person acts through body, speech and mind. An accident with no intention behind it is not karma in this sense. A kind thought, a harsh word or a generous act all are.

This puts the emphasis on the mind. The same outward act, such as giving a gift, can come from generosity or from a wish to impress. The motive shapes the result.

Actions have results

Skilful actions, rooted in generosity, kindness and understanding, tend to bring happiness. Unskilful actions, rooted in greed, hatred and delusion, tend to bring suffering. Results can come soon, later in this life, or, according to the teachings, in future lives.

Karma also works on character. Each time we act on anger, anger becomes easier. Each time we act with patience, patience grows. In this way our choices gradually shape who we become.

What karma is not

Karma is not fate. The Buddha rejected the view that everything we experience is caused by past actions alone. Many things, such as weather or illness, have other causes too. And because we can always make a new choice now, the future is not fixed.

Karma is also not a system of reward and punishment handed out by a god. It is closer to a natural law: actions have consequences, much as seeds grow into plants of their own kind. The texts also say that the detailed workings of karma are too complex to work out by speculation, and advise against trying.

Living with karma in mind

For most Buddhists, the teaching on karma is an encouragement rather than a burden. It means that ethical conduct matters, that kindness is never wasted, and that nobody is stuck with the person they were yesterday. Keeping the five precepts, practising generosity and training the mind in meditation are all ways of making good karma.

Traditions agree that the final aim goes beyond making good karma. An awakened person still acts, but without the craving that drives the cycle of rebirth.