What is Karma (因果)?
The law of cause and effect in Buddhist philosophy, where intentional actions — of body, speech, and mind — produce corresponding results in this life or future lives. The word karma literally means 'action' and does not imply fate or predestination. Rather, it describes a natural law of moral causation: wholesome actions lead to favorable outcomes, while unwholesome actions lead to suffering. Karma is not a system of reward and punishment administered by an external judge but an impersonal principle of conditionality. Understanding karma provides a framework for ethical responsibility and personal transformation.
All living beings are the owners of their karma, heirs to their karma.
— Buddhist karma tradition (Anguttara Nikaya)
Key Takeaways
- Karma (kamma in Pali) is defined by intention (cetana) — the Buddha taught that karma is volition, since having willed, one acts through body, speech, or mind.
- Karma is not fate: it is an impersonal principle of conditionality that leaves present choices free, whereas fate implies a fixed, predetermined outcome.
- The Anguttara Nikaya in the Pali Canon is a key scriptural source for the Buddhist teaching on karma.
- Karma is the force that sustains samsara, the cycle of rebirth.
- Chinese: 因果 (Karma).
- Also known as: 因果, Kamma.
Understanding Karma
In Buddhist doctrine, karma (kamma in Pali) is defined by intention (cetana): the Buddha taught that karma is volition, for having willed, one acts through body, speech, or mind. This is why the blockquote above insists that "all living beings are the owners of their karma, heirs to their karma." The Anguttara Nikaya, one of the Buddha's discourses in the Pali Canon, is a key source for this teaching. Because intention is the root, karma is neither fate nor an externally administered reward — it is an impersonal principle of conditionality that leaves present choice free, and it is what sustains the cycle of rebirth, samsara.
Related Concepts
- Samsara — Karma is the driving force that sustains the cycle of samsara
- Eightfold Path — The Eightfold Path provides the ethical framework for wholesome karma
- Four Noble Truths — The Four Noble Truths explain the nature of karma and its cessation
Further Reading
Related Guides
- About Samsara — Karma is the driving force that sustains the cycle of samsara
- About Eightfold Path — The Eightfold Path provides the ethical framework for wholesome karma
- About Four Noble Truths — The Four Noble Truths explain the nature of karma and its cessation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between karma and fate?
Karma (因果) is the Buddhist law of cause and effect where intentional actions produce corresponding results. Fate implies predetermined outcomes beyond one's control. Karma emphasizes personal responsibility and the capacity to change one's future through present actions, while fate suggests a fixed script that cannot be altered.
Does Buddhism believe in fate?
Buddhism does not teach fatalism or predestination. The doctrine of karma holds that while past actions shape present conditions, present choices remain free and determine future outcomes. The Buddha explicitly rejected the idea that everything is determined by past karma, teaching that effort and discernment can transform one's life.
Can karma be changed?
Yes. Karma is not a fixed sentence but a dynamic process. Wholesome actions in the present — generosity, ethical conduct, meditation — can mitigate the effects of past unwholesome karma. This is why Buddhist practice emphasizes ethical living and mental cultivation as transformative.
Is karma the same as destiny?
No. Destiny implies a predetermined outcome regardless of one's choices. Karma is conditional: it describes how actions shape circumstances, but always leaves room for present-moment choice. The Buddha said: 'Karma is volition, for having willed, one acts through body, speech, or mind.'
What is the Buddhist view of free will?
Buddhism takes a middle path between determinism and absolute free will. Past karma conditions but does not compel present choices. The mind's capacity for awareness, reflection, and intentional action means that freedom is cultivated through mindfulness and ethical discernment, not assumed as a given.
Also Known As
Chinese: 因果. 因果, Kamma