The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1244 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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In Buddhism, much of the same basic sense of a law of consequence is retained, but there is no ‘self’ to be reborn. Only intentions and actions free of desire, hate, and delusion are free of karmic consequence. Karma/kamma is neither fatalistic nor deterministic, since true insight enables one to direct the stream of continuity, or even to bring it to cessation.
Among Jains, karma is a kind of subtle matter which attaches itself to the
j
va
and weighs it down in bondage and rebirth. All actions, good as well as evil, cause karmic matter to attach to the soul. Therefore, the abandoning of action, in complete ascetic renunciation (even to the extent of voluntary starvation), is necessary.
For Sikhs, karma (Pañj
bi,
karamu
) is accepted as consequential action, but against it is set karma
(Arab.,
karam
, ‘favour’) meaning the grace of God. Sikhs concentrate on bringing karma (
grace
) to bear on karma, leading to union with God.
Karma Kagyü
(Tib.,
kar-ma bka’-brgyud
). One of the four main early subschools of
Kagyü
(
bka’.brgyud
), founded by Düsum Chempa (Chos ’dzin dge ’phel Dus gsum mkhyen pa, 1110–93). Originally identified by Black Hats, made from the hair of d
kin
s who embody the good
karma
of all the
buddhas
, an early schism led to the Red Hats, with whom much conflict ensued. They contributed to
Rimé
(
ris-med
), and have built up a considerable following in the West.
Karma-k
a
(Skt.). The division, or practical part, of the
Vedas
which refers to religious duties,
ritual
, and actions; as opposed to the

nak
a
of the
Ved
nta
which deals with philosophical knowledge.
P
rvam
m
s
is concerned with karma-k
a.

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