karma
Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed" in Indian religions understood as denoting the entire cycle of cause and effect described in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist philosophies.
The philosophical explanation of karma can differ slightly between
traditions, but the general concept is basically the same. Usually it
is understood to be a sum of all that an individual has done, is
currently doing and will do. The results or "fruits" of actions are
called karma-phala.
Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward; karma
simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create
past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for
one’s own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions
that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one’s present life and all past and future lives as well.
Throughout this process, some traditions believe that God plays some kind of role, for example, as the dispenser of the fruits of karma
or as exercising the option to change one’s karma in rare instances.
However, in general, both Hindus and Buddhists consider the natural
laws of causation sufficient to explain the effects of karma. Another view holds that a Sadguru, acting on God’s behalf, can mitigate or work out some of the karma of the disciple.
The "Law of Karma" is central in Indian religions.
All living creatures are responsible for their karma — their actions
and the effects of their actions — and for their release from samsara. The concept can be traced back to the early Upanishads.
If we accept that the logical ethical consequence of the law of
karma is to behave responsibly, and the tenet of the law of karma is
essentially "if you do good things, good things will happen to you — if
you do bad things, bad things will happen to you," then it is possible
to identify analogs with other religions that do not rely on karma as a
metaphysical assertion or doctrine.
Karma does not specifically concern itself with salvation as it
implies a basic socio-ethical dynamic. The law of karma as a mechanism
functions like a judge of one’s actions, similar to the concept of God
as judge in relation to "good and bad works" in the western religions.
The Apostle Paul similarly states: "man reaps what he sows."
Basically, you get what you give.
Because eventually, what goes around, comes around.
