Karma and Dharma: Simplified for Western Audiences

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Karma and Dharma Simplified for Western Audiences
Satjit Kumar Writes informational articles on
common ethics, samanya dharma, hindu dharma,
duties common to all along with others on
finance, health and cultivating wisdom.
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Many people think that karma and dharma are
synonymous, with each other. But that is not
true. This article is going to cover the basic
details of both these terms. That will give a
clear understanding of the difference between
karma and dharma. Karma is about the result
of actions the law of karma deals with cause and
effect. Good karma leads to good effects, and bad
karma will cause negative outcomes. The past
karma determines present circumstances, while
present actions decide the future pattern of
life. Dharma includes several moral laws and
guidelines, adherence to which is called dharmik
outlook. The term is inclusive of various social
and religious responsibilities, too. It is the
dharmik outlook that encourages people to do good
karma. Here, karma covers actual deeds. Dharma
both guides and advises people to do the right
actions, and helps in distinguishing between good
karma and bad karma.
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There are two major types of karma Nishkam
karma and sakam karma. Nishkam karma includes
those actions that are done without any selfish
motive. Therefore, this form of karma conforms to
dharmik precepts. On the other hand, there is
sakam karma this kind of karma is done for
materialistic benefit or fulfilling desires.
Hence, that is not by dharma. In Bhagavad
Gita, Lord Krishna says that following the
dharmik path is necessary to attain
God-realization. In this holy scripture, the lord
stresses the importance of doing karma in such a
way that there is no violation of dharma. At
this juncture, a salient point is worthy of
special mention. It has to be emphasized that
every aspect of dharma need not be the same for
everyone. Sometimes, the exact dharma varies with
the place, time, and the precise role of an
individual. But there are certain virtues, such
as honesty, chastity, compassion, and avoiding
violence, which apply to everybody. These dharmik
principles have to be followed by all people.
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The consequences of bad actions of the past can
be mitigated to a significant extent if the
individual takes a dharmik approach towards life.
Here, people are advised to do karma that
conforms with dharma. Sticking to dharmik
principles is of great help in ensuring that the
persons future is overall free from unpleasant
situations. There are a few types of bad
actions that are recognized as unforgivable sins.
People who commit such sins are called atatayis,
and there wont be any relief for these bad
deeds. Karma, which is dharmik in nature,
helps people find real happiness that is not
dependent on any material things. These people
develop great inner strength and their minds are
always tranquil, irrespective of the external
situations.
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When a person does karma that does not deviate
from the path of dharma, its considered a
service to God as well as to humanity. It is only
by doing deeds coming under the purview of dharma
that humans can lead meaningful lives. They can
then contribute to the growth and well-being of
the society. The topic of understanding the
differences between dharma and karma is a vast
one all the aspects cannot be covered in a brief
write-up. Yet, a sincere attempt has been made to
explain the most pivotal aspects of the subject
at hand.
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