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karma

karma or karman , [Skt.,=action, work, or ritual], basic concept common to Hinduism , Buddhism , and Jainism . The doctrine of karma states that one's state in this life is a result of actions (both physical and mental) in past incarnations, and action in this life can determine one's destiny in future incarnations. Karma is a natural, impersonal law of moral cause and effect and has no connection with the idea of a supreme power that decrees punishment or forgiveness of sins. Karmic law is universally applicable, and only those who have attained liberation from rebirth, called mukti (or moksha ) or nirvana , can transcend it. Karma yoga (see yoga ), the spiritual discipline of detachment from the results of action, is a famous teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita .

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karma

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

karma fate, destiny (as determined by one's actions in a former state of existence). XIX. Skr. karma - action, effect, fate, f. IE. *qer - make.

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T. F. HOAD. "karma." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | © The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

karma in Hinduism and Buddhism, the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. The word comes from Sanskrit karman ‘action, effect, fate’.
karma yoga in Hinduism, the discipline of selfless action as a way to perfection.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "karma." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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