KARMA (law of retribution) Karma as understood in all the Indian religions is a cosmic law as universal and as unchangeable as, for instance, the law of gravity. Under the force of Karmic law, good never fails to be rewarded and evil never escapes being punished.

Literally and etymologically, Karma means action (moral or physical action). In Buddhism, Karma is the principle that beings are reborn according to the nature and quality of their past actions. To be poor, ill or ugly is considered as a result of a past life. Good and bad rebirths are not seen as "rewards" or "punishment", but as simply the natural results of certain kinds of action.

Negative Karma brings about Poverty Ugliness Poor health. One can even be born as an animal A ghost Or go to Hell

According to the karmic law that governs this process of rebirths, all beings are "heir" to their actions so that : -1) acts of hatred and violence tend to lead to rebirth in a hell, -2) acts bound up with delusion and confusion tend to lead to rebirth as an animal, -3) acts of greed tend to lead to rebirth as a ghost

-4 ) injuring beings leads to frequent illnesses -5) anger leads to being ugly -6) stinginess leads to being poor, -7) acts of moral restraint, kindness and generosity lead to rebirth as a human or a God. This cycle of rebirths ends with enlightenment (Nirvana).

KARMA AND PUNYA

PUNYA: Merit, or the good karma that enters into the content of an individual’s life earned in Buddhist doctrine by moral practices, learning, and meditation.

A MERIT ACCOUNT SHEET (SOME SELECTIONS) Formulated by Liao-Fan Yuan ( ), a Zen master of Jiang-Su Province.

MeritsDemerits (Good Karma)(Bad Karma) 100 merits100 demerits merit1 demerit

100 Merits:  save one life;  save a woman’s chastity;  prevent a child from drowning;  continue a family lineage.

50 Merits:  prevent an abortion;  provide for a homeless person;  prevent someone from committing a serious crime;  give a speech that benefits many

30 Merits:  convert another to Buddhism;  facilitate a marriage;  take in an orphan;  help another do something virtuous.

10 Merits:  recommend a virtuous person;  cure a major illness;  speak virtuously;  save the life of a good animal;  publish the Buddha’s teachings;  treat servants properly.

5 Merits:  Prevent a law suit;  cure a minor illness;  stop someone from slandering;  make an offering to a saintly person;  save any animal;  pray for others.

3 Merits:  Endure ill treatment without complaint;  bury an animal;  urge those making a living by killing to stop.

1 Merit:  Give an article to help others;  chant a Buddhist scripture;  provide for one monk;  return a lost article;  help repair a public road or bridge.

100 Demerits:  Cause a death;  rape;  end a family lineage.

50 Demerits:  Induce an abortion;  break up a marriage;  teach someone to do great evil;  make a speech that harms many.

30 Demerits:  Create slander that dishonors another;  disobey an elder;  cause a family to separate;  during famine, fail to share food grains.

10 Demerits:  Mistreat an orphan or widow;  prepare a poison;  kill an animal that serves humans;  speak harshly to parent or teacher.

5 Demerits:  Slander spiritual teachings;  turn away a sick person;  speak harshly;  kill any animal;  write or speak lewdly;  not clear an injustice when possible.

3 Demerits:  Get angry over words spoken;  cheat an ignorant person;  destroy another’s success;  be greedy.

1 Demerit:  Urge another to fight;  help another do evil;  waste food;  kill insects;  turn away a begging monk;  take a bribe;  keep a lost article.