Being philosophically-minded, I have always found the descriptions of the doctrine of karma by Eastern teachers to be frustratingly vague. So I set out to find out what, exactly, the doctrine of karma is, and why we should believe it. The resulting study is somewhat lengthy, so I have now broken it into small topics that you can read individually.

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Readings in the Theory of Karma

A selection of quotations from mostly Hindu scriptures and teachers, explaining all the major aspects of the theory of karma.

• The Wheel of Rebirth
• The Law of Action
• The Law of Desire
• Samskaras
• Evolution from Lower Forms
• The Threefold Karma
• Prarabdha Karma
• Types of Prarabdha
• Environmental Conditions for Karma
• Law of the Last Thought
• The Experience of Death
• The Reincarnating Being
• The Intermediate State
• Experiences after Death
  The Path of the Gods
  The Path of the Fathers
  The Worlds of Blind Darkness
  Length of Time Before Rebirth
  The Return to Earth Plane
• The Fruition of Karma
  Circumstances in Future Births
  Penance
  Regression to Lower Forms
  Effects on Character
  Assumption by the Guru
  Destruction by Meditation
• Free Will and Destiny
• Karma Yoga
• Rebirth of Fallen Yogis
• The Realized Being
• Projection of the Soul
• The Night of Brahma
• Collective Karma

Problems in the Theory of Karma

An examination of the many difficult philosophical questions raised by the traditional Hindu theory of karma.

• The Problem of Desires
• The Problem of Actions
  What Aspect of an Action is Returned to You?
  Doesn't this Contradict the Law of Desire?
  Whose Samskaras?
• The Problem of Complexity
• The Problem of Residual Karma
• The Problem of Conflicting Desires
• The Problem of Failed and Accidental Actions
• The Problem of Astral Vs. Physical Fruition
• The Problems of Birth and Death
• The Problem of Physical Vs. Psychic Causation
• The Problem of Non-Profit
• The Problem of Prarabdha
• The Problem of Spiritual Evolution
• The Problem of Changing Population
• The Problem of Identity
• The Mind-Body Problem
• The Problem of Unequal Evolution
• The Problem of Suffering

Evaluating the Theory of Karma

An attempt to evaluate the accuracy of the doctrine of karma, bringing a variety of different perspectives to bear upon the problem.

• Can It Be Proved?
• Paranormal Knowledge
• Consistency and Explanatory Power
• Correctness of Related Teachings
  • Caste System
  • Sacred Animals
  • Status of Widows
  • World Cycles
  • Geography
  • Astronomy and the Heavens
  • Symbolic, Figurative, or Metaphorical Interpretations
• Intuitive "Rightness"
• The Divine Imperative
• Scientific Study
• Conclusion

Buddhist Views on Karma

• Questions Which Tend Not to Edification
• Buddhist Cosmology
• The Miseries of Rebirth
• The Enlightened One
• What Reincarnates?
• Karma and Causality
• The Negative Acts and Positive Acts
• Factors Affecting the Strength of Karmas
• The Different Types of Results of Actions
• Karma and Freedom
• Merit and Its Transfer
• Bodhisattvas
• The Bardo or After-Death Journey
• Propelling and Completing Karma
• The Six Realms
• Tulkus or Divine Emanations

Taoist Views on Karma [Added Jan 21, 01]

A Sufi View of Rebirth: Bawa Muhaiyaddeen

A short article on a view of rebirth taught by a Sheikh of Islamic or Sufi mysticism.

Karma Bibliography

A listing of the works quoted and referenced in the previous sections.

The Hindu Theory of World Cycles

A systematic presentation of the theory of world ages described by Hindu scripture and its relationship to modern science. The system of ages described in the Puranas is described in detail, including kalpas, manvantaras, maha yugas, Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. Current scientific theories of evolution and periodic mass extinctions are also explored.

Books on Karma and Spirituality

Luminous Mind: The Way of the Buddha By Kalu Rinpoche. Comparing Kyabje with Milarepa, the greatest meditation master Tibet has ever known, His Holiness the Dalai Lama extols the author of Luminous Mind as a "beacon of inspiration" for spiritual practitioners of all traditions. Noting that "there have been few like him before or since," His Holiness urges us to delve into this remarkable anthology of the late Kalu Rinpoche's essential instructions so that we may encounter "the full range of Buddhist practice from basic analysis of the nature of the mind up to its ultimate refinement in the teachings of Mahamudra." Includes Mind, Reality, and Illusion, The Transformations of Mind: Lives, Deaths and Rebirths, and The Paths of Liberation, which includes introductions to the essence of the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana paths as well the the higher teachings of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Click here for more information.

Continue to more books related to Karma and Reincarnation...

Using Mantras for Growth and Healing

Experience mental, emotional, and physical healing through the primordial sound vibrations of the ancient spiritual traditions... Lily Diamond is a healer, intuitive, artist and practitioner of ancient traditions for lifting the spirit and healing the body, mind and emotions. After many years of working with people challenged with serious illnesses and life crises she has found a way to take us directly to that place within us which holds the key to our own happiness — our hearts. She is the founder of Mother's Ancient Harmonic Arts. Click here for more information.

Reviews and ordering information for several wonderful books, tapes, and CDs by Thomas Ashley-Farrand, one of the foremost Western authorities on the use of traditional Sanskrit mantras for personal power, creativity, and healing. Click here for more information.

Links to Related Sites

Sites about karma and reincarnation, Hinduism and Yoga, and other metaphysical topics.

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