By Lewis Gwilt
Karma is a word many of us have heard. Often, it’s used to describe justice for someone’s actions—“what goes around, comes around.” But how does this modern interpretation compare to the traditional Buddhist understanding? In this post, we’ll explore the meaning of karma, its role in the Buddha’s teachings, and how it manifests in our lives.
What Is Karma?
The word karma comes from Sanskrit and literally means “action.” In Buddhism, karma refers to the intentional actions we perform through body, speech, and mind. But what does it mean to “have” karma? It’s about the attachment to our actions and their results.
For instance, someone who exploits others does so because of their karma—their habitual tendencies shaped by past actions and mental states. Karma dictates the patterns of behavior we are likely to repeat, whether they’re selfish or selfless.
The pop-culture western understanding of karma as retribution or as “instant karma” reflects the effects our actions can have, yet somewhat misunderstands and oversimplifies a profound and complex teaching rooted in cause and effect.
What Causes Karma?
Karma arises from the actions of our body, speech and mind, often rooted in attachment and aversion, and the mistaken belief in a separate self performing them. Buddhism teaches that there is no independently existing self behind our actions. Instead, actions arise from a combination of the body and mind, which are interdependent and impermanent.
When we believe we “have” karma, we are operating under the illusion that a self is controlling and experiencing these actions. However, this self cannot be located, nor can it exist independently of the body and mind. It is merely a mental construct—a collection of thoughts and ideas that form our sense of identity.
How Do We Begin to Address Karma?
In Buddhism, addressing karma involves examining the belief in a separate self. By understanding the truth of no-self (or anatta), the root of karma naturally resolves itself.
One way to observe this is through mindfulness of everyday actions. For example, as you walk and think, “I am walking,” notice that it’s not the “I” or the thought doing the action—it’s the body walking, guided by the mind. This simple observation highlights the illusion of a separate self.
To deepen this inquiry, you might ask yourself:
- What does the self add to this action?
- Where is the self that is performing it?
- If the body acts and the mind thinks, where exactly is the self located between them?
By questioning the perceived solidity of the self, we uncover the delusions that leads to the creation of karma.
Recognising Karma in Our Actions
Understanding karma helps us recognise its influence on our behavior. Selfish urges—particularly those satisfied at the expense of others—reflect the workings of the self and its associated thoughts.
When we give in to these urges, we reinforce tendencies to prioritise personal satisfaction over others’ well-being. Over time, this cultivates patterns of behavior that can lead to exploitation or harm, as seen in individuals who act without regard for others.
The Buddha’s teachings, or Dharma, offer a path to resolve this process. By addressing the attachments and aversions that cause suffering, we can free ourselves from the stronghold of karma and its effects.
Karma and the Path to Freedom
In essence – and put very simply- karma is the sum of impressions, actions, and their effects, all rooted in the belief in a separate, independently acting self. To truly understand karma, we must look beyond the surface meaning of the word and delve into its context within Buddhism.
Through mindfulness, inquiry, and practice, we can begin to unravel the attachments that bind us and discover the freedom of living without the illusion of a separate self.
Interested in discovering more? Take a look at this direct and no-nonsense teaching on Karma at Jamyang London, offered by Ven. Robina.
