Karma

A detailed Summary of Karma


What is the relation, if any, of the concept of varna to the concept of karma? Of karma to the doctrine of reincarnation?

The concepts of varna and karma are each closely related to the eastern civilization religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Varna and karma go hand in hand with each other to explain themselves, as does karma with the doctrine of reincarnation. The complicated explanation of all of these concepts follows.

In order to understand the concept of karma, one must first understand the term varna. An appropriate definition would be the rise of class system, which the Hindus adhere to. An English translation of varna, however, is simply the word "color" (Noss 87). There are four social classes that break down the class system otherwise known as varna. Beginning with the highest class, there is the Brahmins or priests, followed by the ruling Kshatriyas, the Vais


Brahmins said that if one was a member of any of the first three classes to be extremely careful to avoid the Shudras (Noss 87).

yas (common people), and finally the Shudras (servants). The

previous lives', the first person was a good person of the Shudra class, and samsara declared that he or she rise in class; and the second person may have been a bad person of the Kshatriya class, therefore he or she declined in class. There are endless possibilities, but the relationship between karma and varna is obvious here. Simply stated, karma determines varna.

Next we will look at the doctrine of reincarnation as it relates to karma. Reincarnation is an easier concept to grasp than karma. Reincarnation can be defined as the never-ending time line of life. In other words, we all have been someone or something else before or present life began, and after the present life is over, we wi

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