Karma translates from the Sanskrit word for "action," "work," or "deed". It is the spiritual and moral law of cause and effect found in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
Core Meaning in Eastern Traditions
Action and Intention: Karma is not just a physical act; it includes verbal, mental, and physical choices driven by a person's intentions.
Cause and Effect: Every action sets off a chain reaction. Wholesome or good actions (like kindness and generosity) bring positive outcomes, while unwholesome or harmful actions (like lying or injury) bring negative ones.
Rebirth and Transmigration: In traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, the consequences of a person's actions can unfold in their current life or influence their nature and existence in future reincarnations. Breaking free from the cycle of rebirth is often known as moksha or nirvana.
Western and Everyday Usage
"What Goes Around Comes Around": In popular Western culture, karma is often understood as a cosmic payback system where good or bad deeds return to you in this life.
Aura or Atmosphere: The word is also used loosely to describe the mood or vibe of a person or place (e.g., "This room has bad karma").
Core Concept: Atman vs. Anatta
Core Meaning in Eastern Traditions
Action and Intention: Karma is not just a physical act; it includes verbal, mental, and physical choices driven by a person's intentions.
Cause and Effect: Every action sets off a chain reaction. Wholesome or good actions (like kindness and generosity) bring positive outcomes, while unwholesome or harmful actions (like lying or injury) bring negative ones.
Rebirth and Transmigration: In traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, the consequences of a person's actions can unfold in their current life or influence their nature and existence in future reincarnations. Breaking free from the cycle of rebirth is often known as moksha or nirvana.
Western and Everyday Usage
"What Goes Around Comes Around": In popular Western culture, karma is often understood as a cosmic payback system where good or bad deeds return to you in this life.
Aura or Atmosphere: The word is also used loosely to describe the mood or vibe of a person or place (e.g., "This room has bad karma").
While Hinduism and Buddhism both originated in ancient India and share concepts like karma, dharma, and reincarnation, they have fundamental differences in their core doctrines.
The primary difference lies in their view of the soul and the divine:
The primary difference lies in their view of the soul and the divine:
- Hinduism believes in an eternal, individual soul (Atman) that merges with a supreme cosmic reality (Brahman),
- Buddhism teaches that there is no permanent soul (Anatta) and focuses on ending suffering through personal enlightenment.
Direct Comparison
| Feature | Hinduism | Buddhism |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | No single founder; evolved over millennia in India. | Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) in the 5th century BCE. |
| The Soul | Believes in Atman (an eternal, individual soul). | Teaches Anatta (non-self; no permanent, unchanging soul). |
| The Divine | Polytheistic, monistic, or pantheistic (worships deities like Vishnu, Shiva, Devi; recognizes Brahman as ultimate reality). | Non-theistic (does not focus on a creator god or require devotion to deities for salvation). |
| Ultimate Goal | Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth by uniting the soul with Brahman). | Nirvana (extinction of desire, delusion, and suffering, breaking the cycle of rebirth). |
| Path to Liberation | Multiple paths (Margas) including devotion (Bhakti), action (Karma), and knowledge (Jnana). | The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (mindfulness, ethical conduct, meditation). |
| Social Structure | Historically intertwined with the Varna (caste) system and duties related to one's social standing. | Rejects the caste system; spiritual liberation is equally accessible to anyone regardless of birth. |
| Sacred Texts | The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Ramayana. | The Tripitaka (Pali Canon), Mahayana Sutras, and various regional canons. |
Core Concept: Atman vs. Anatta
Understanding how these two traditions view the self is the key to understanding their split:
- The Hindu view (Atman): Imagine your soul as a drop of water. The ultimate goal is for that drop to fall back into the ocean (Brahman), realizing it was always part of the greater whole.
- The Buddhist view (Anatta): Buddhism argues that the "drop of water" is an illusion. There is no permanent "you." Instead, a human being is a constantly changing collection of thoughts, feelings, and physical processes. Rebirth is not a soul moving into a new body, but rather the energy of past karma sparking a new flame.