Karma and the Self

Karma and the Self

            Hinduism and Buddhism are among the eastern religions that have gained wide recognition around the world. The religions have helped popularize two concepts, Karma and the Self. Both Karma and the Self are discussed in the scriptures of both religions. The concepts are critical to one crucial mission of both Hinduism and Buddhism, the alleviation of suffering in the world. Both believe that karma and our mistaken views regarding the self cause us to suffer in life.  They take it as part of their mission to inform their followers regarding karma and to correct their misguided view regarding the self. The concepts are discussed in the Dhammapada, Buddhist scripture, and the Bhagavad Gita, part of scripture read by followers of Hinduism. The views regarding karma and the self in the two scriptures differ.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Karma is discussed under the title “Karma-Yoga,” which is translated to mean “The Path of Action” (Easwaran, 2007). The discussion of the concept arose when Arjuna asked Lord Krishna why he asked him to engage in a terrible fight, and yet wisdom is above action (Easwaran, 2007). Lord Krishna replied to him that although the twofold paths in life are the path of wisdom and that of action, no one is free from action (Easwaran, 2007). No one can refrain from acting as their nature will compel them to engage in action. Since inaction is not possible in life, the honorable individual is the one who practices Karma-Yoga (the path of right action) (Easwaran, 2007). In Hinduism, Karma is about the inevitability of action. One has to act in life as inaction is not possible.

The Dhammapada also discusses the concept of karma. According to the scripture, karma is presented as a universal law that governs moral action (Buddharakkhita, 1985). The law is referred to as the law of karma. According to the law, the actions of individuals do not simply disappear into nothingness (Buddharakkhita, 1985). The actions come back to the individual. If one does a good thing, their action is rewarded with happiness later on in life. If one does a bad thing, they suffer later on because of their previous deed (Buddharakkhita, 1985). The law responds to the cry that human beings have for moral justice. It cautions people from acting immorally as they will pay for their actions sooner or later.

The writings in the two scriptures show that karma in Hinduism is different from karma in Buddhism. Hinduism views karma to be the inevitability of acting while Buddhists view karma as a universal moral law where one’s actions come back to them sooner or later. The Buddhist view of karma is the one that is more popular around the world. Many people think of karma as a universal moral law that ensures that one pays for their actions or is rewarded for the same. However, there is one similarity between the concept in both religions. The similarity is that in both, karma is inescapable. In Hinduism, one cannot escape action, and in Buddhism, one cannot avoid the consequences of their actions.

There are also differences in the discussion of the self between Hinduism and Buddhism. In the Bhagavad Gita, the discussion of the self arose when Arjuna asked Lord Krishna to explain to him God, nature, matter, and the self (Easwaran, 2007). Regarding the self, Lord Krishna explained to him that the self uses the body as its playground and that it is aware of the activities of the body (Easwaran, 2007). The self is described as an immaterial force within the body that is aware of what goes on within the same.

In the Dhammapada, there is no definition of the self, but the text in the chapter regarding the same gives the impression of the self as one’s mental activities. An evil man is defined as one who lacks wits (Buddharakkhita, 1985). The wise are advised to observe themselves carefully to understand their thoughts, desires, and feelings (Buddharakkhita, 1985). The critical difference between the discussion of the self in Hinduism and Buddhism is that the self is viewed in Hinduism as an immaterial substance inhabiting the body and is aware of the body’s activities while in Buddhism, it is considered to be one’s mental activities. There are similarities in both religion’s idea of the self. In both, the self is viewed as something that can be improved through meditation and always resorting to the right action.