Karma and dharma

[Haribol]

What is your understanding of these concepts?

[Krenx]

Kamma is the cause and effects of actions and intentions. 

 

The dhamma is the nature of existence, and also is refered to as the Buddha's teachings. 

[Haribol]

1 minute ago, Krenx said:

The dhamma is the nature of existence, and also is refered to as the Buddha's teachings. 

Very intruiging, could you elaborate, please?

[Lairg]

It  seems that karma operates in all planes of Existence - so that the very energy-substance is altered.  This means that an entity naturally living within this galaxy builds its body from galactic substance and thereby participates in the karmic patterning of that substance.

 

The activities of the entity alter flows and relationships so that there is more karma, conventionally existing on the level of groups, species, planets, solar systems etc.

 

There may be other karma concerning intent but that is less obvious in this galaxy at present.

 

The essence of karma seems to be pressure on the hierarchy of greater entities within which planets etc exist/serve.  Thus the Lipika Lords (Lords of Karma, Recording Angels) pressure all intelligences internal to their system to conform to the directionality of their enveloping entity.  

 

Adverse karma may be experienced as discomfort by the enveloping entity - with resulting action to diminish the difficulty.

 

Positive karma is better but apparently still needs to be worked out so that the active entity is properly free in its operations within yet higher planes and systems

 

 

Edited December 27, 2025 by Lairg

[Krenx]

On 12/27/2025 at 11:23 AM, Haribol said:

Very intruiging, could you elaborate, please?

 

In terms of buddhism terminology and definitions, when "dhamma" is mentioned, it often referees to the Buddha's teachings on the 4 noble truths, the 8 fold path. 

 

And the other common use of the that term, is the nature of existence. For example the nature rebirth, kamma, good results from good deeds, bad results from bad deeds, what kind of views and actions inclines a bring towards lower realms, or heavenly realms, impermanance in samsara etc.

[Haribol]

Yesterday I got introduced to a new term,  paradharma: way back to self-realization/godhead

[Krenx]

1 hour ago, Haribol said:

Yesterday I got introduced to a new term,  paradharma: way back to self-realization/godhead

 

I never heard of that term. I don't think it is a term used in early buddhism. 🙏. 

[Tommy]

On 12/26/2025 at 3:07 PM, Haribol said:

What is your understanding of these concepts?

Karma has been thought of as an agency for justice. Many believe that if one does evil upon others that they will in turn receive evil as a result of karma. That is not my belief. Rather that karma is a result of actions and intentions. For example, if one plants an apple seed then an apple tree will grow. One reaps what one sows. If one lives by the sword then one might dies by the sword. So, if one lives right and perform their duties then karma shouldn't be a fear factor. How does karma work? I don't know. But, believe it influences energy like a rock that has been set up on the side of a hill. Gravity or karma will guide it down.

 

As for the Dharma, that is a set of teachings from the Buddha. It explains that there is something more than what we see. That the truth of our nature is something that we can see for ourselves by following the Buddha's words. For me, it is speculation as I have not found this truth of our nature. Of course, I do not follow the Dharma down to its exacting rules. I only practice some meditation and participate in forums. Sometimes even watch a few lectures by people who speak on the Dharma. And still my understanding is lacking.

 

So, my final thoughts are that I should keep practicing even if nothing ever changes. And to keep an open mind and listen to what others have to say. Learn what I can and apply what makes sense to me. And yes, sometimes I do live like I have rose colored glasses on. So far so good.

[bradley]

my weird thought. karma is basically like time. its the force connecting one state of being in one moment to the next.   maybe then karma is basically the force of gravity per relativity... just weird thought i had.

[steve]

I appreciate @bradley's weird thought...  mine is similar.

Karma to me is simply the causal connection between actions and outcomes.

 

I once had a deep insight into karma in my own life and experience that informed my understanding of the concept.

I could see very deeply and clearly how every action and interaction throughout my life have come together to bring me to precisely where I am at that very moment. I could see how different choices on my part, or that of others, and my situation would be completely different. I could see the pattern of cause and effect extending back before my birth and beyond my death.

I could see the web of interaction extending out in all directions, across vast distances without boundary.

Most of all I could see the sheer scale and complexity of this intricate web of activity and how this makes it so difficult to always appreciate the direct connection between a given action and its effects.

 

Dharma has many meanings in a variety of religions and contexts. It can mean something that is firm and stable, suggesting a foundational or organizing principle or law of existence. It can refer to the way we, as individuals, relate to the world and to others and varies at different stages of life. It is often used to refer to the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni. For me, the most meaningful and useful interpretation relates more to the truth or the absolute nature of being. In the tradition I practice, the ground of being is considered the source of all teachings and all possible manifestations; so that coming into relationship with this fundamental experience of our nature opens us to our full potential as human beings.

Edited 16 hours ago by steve

[stirling]

On 12/26/2025 at 12:07 PM, Haribol said:

What is your understanding of these concepts?

 

Karma belongs to you. Karma is the story you tell about yourself in the moment you occupy. It feels like the accumulation of your life (or lives) history.

 

When something touches your karma you'll know, as it usually triggers a thought like, "I knew they wouldn't like me", or, "this always happens to me".

 

Take out a piece of paper and start with the writing prompt, "I'm the kind of person who...". Your answers, positive or negative, are your karma. You might find that many will fit nicely into one of these slots:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_maladaptive_schemas

 

There it is! Karma! It isn't mysterious, it is very familiar and intimate.

 

Each of these stories you tell is a delusion that causes, or is caused by your attachment or aversion. Ask yourself each time you encounter something that stops you, makes you upset, causes you to feel incomplete: "What am I attached to or averse to? What do you I feel HAS to happen, or simply CANNOT happen. That is where you are stuck... what this moment of dharma is for. What is the story you tell about this situation that isn't true? Why do you tell it? Only you will know, though counseling can help.

 

-

 

Dharma is teaching. Your experience of the world is literally ALL teaching. The fabric of reality is constantly pointing out where you are stuck. Read the news and see. Try to assemble furniture from Ikea and see. Are you in a relationship? See!

 

When you notice that your karma (story) sticks to something - a situation or a thought - pay attention. This is a moment when you could actually dissolve this karma/dharma interaction and end the suffering it causes. 

 

For homework that is non-denominational and easy to put into action:

 

https://untetheredsoul.com/untethered-soul

 

Make sure you FINISH IT and actually TRY what it suggests. Unfortunately there are thousands upon thousands of copies of this very thin but dharma-dense book available used, with un-cracked spines. I recommend it to all of my new students before you get into Buddhism proper. 

 

[Lairg]

Is the apparently endless procession of Earth wars a matter of human karma?   

 

Or did the influence exist before Earth humans?