KARMA - THE INFINITE

LOOP

1. Is karma an infinite loop?

The expectations of rewards attached to good deeds are like a trap
connecting one to people, places, and events. These expectations, whether
fulfilled or not, in turn, generates more karma. Thus, this goes into an
endless loop.

What is the endless loop called?

An infinite loop (sometimes called an endless loop ) is a piece of coding that
lacks a functional exit so that it repeats indefinitely. In computer
programming, a loop is a sequence of instruction s that is continually
repeated until a certain condition is reached.

Is an infinite loop possible?

An infinite loop is not a loop that can go on forever. It's a loop that does go
on forever, and these are always bad. These kinds of loops are the result of a
logic error. Loops such as while(true) are only an infinite loop if there is no
way out of the loop.

Does karma exist?

This begs the question: does karma really exist? According to Bacine, yes,
karma is very real and present in our lives, even if it doesn't quite make
sense logically. “There is a mystical, magical energy to the universe that we
can't always understand from our logical human perspective,” she says.

2. Karma
The term karma refers to both the executed 'deed, work, action, act' and the 'object, intent'. [3]
Wilhelm Halbfass (2000) explains karma (karman) by contrasting it with
the Sanskrit word whereas kriya is the activity along with the steps and effort in action, karma is (1)
the executed action as a consequence of that activity, as well as (2) the intention of the actor behind
an executed action or a planned action (described by some scholars[9] as metaphysical residue left in
the actor). A good action creates good karma, as does good intent. A bad action creates bad karma,
as does bad intent.[3]

The concept of karma

The concept of karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian
religions (particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism),[5] as well as Taoism.[6] In these
schools, karma in the present affects one's future in the current life, as well as the nature and quality
of future lives—one's saṃsāra.[7][8] This concept has also been adopted in Western popular culture, in
which the events which happen after a person's actions may be considered natural consequences.

3. Is karma a matter of faith?

No divine will or external agent intervenes in the relationship of the moral act to its inevitable

result. The law of karma thus represents a markedly nontheistic theodicy, or explanation of why there

is evil in the world.

Is karma a faith?
Karma is a belief that comes from Hinduism and Buddhism. It teaches that
eventually you get what you give, good or bad. It's a reasonable idea
What is the difference between
karma and faith?
Fate is that one cannot change. On the other hand, Karma is the result of
your actions. If you do something good, you will get good tings in return and
if you do bad things, you will only encounter bad things. Fate means that
there are no choices in life; it is predetermined.

4. The Doctrine of Karma

The Doctrine of Karma is a direct outcome of the extension of the age-old and well-established
principle "as you sow, so you reap" to the spiritual sphere. In other words, this doctrine is
nothing but an extension of the physical phenomenon observed in every day experience in
nature that every action has a reaction, every effect has a cause and vice versa.

According to the Karma doctrine the course of life of every living being here and hereafter is
determined by his Karma or his deeds and a pious life leads to comforts, contentment and
general well-being in the present life and re-birth in higher and better forms of existence. Evil
actions result in birth in lower forms of existence in future life and unhappiness or misery,, in
the present existence. In short Karmavada may summarised as the "theory of inevitable
consequences of one's actions." This doctrine seems to have developed along with other
doctrines about the course of events or creation. These include Kalvad or doctrine of time
(treating time as a determining agent), Svabhav-vad or doctrine of Nature (which held the
nature of things as sole determinant), theory of pre-destination (holding destiny as the prime
factor) etc. These are proposed to be discussed separately in this book. Here it will be sufficient
to mention that in Jain thought, true to its non-one-sided (Anekantvadi) approach, due
importance is given to all these factors as agents determining the course of life along with the
doctrine of Karma.. However, prime place is given to Karma doctrines as it involves elements of
freedom of will of the individual, accountability for one's acts or deeds (Karma) and is living or
active as against the inert and passive nature of other factors like time, nature and others.

5. Law of causation/ action

and reaction/retribution
Karma, which is a Sanskrit word, means action, work or deed and refers to the sum total
of all deeds one has done or got done through his mind, speech or body ; either in this
life or in the previous lives.

Karma also refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect which states that an
action is always accompanied by its consequences. Result of a deed is inherent in the
deed itself. No one can escape the effects of his actions.

Anything good or bad one does through his thoughts, words or senses creates an
equivalent response which comes back to him, sooner or later, in one form or the other.
As one sows, so shall he reap. This doctrine known as the karmic cycle governs one’s
life perpetually.

6. Philosophy of karma
The philosophy of karma is a distinguishing and inherent part of the Indian philosophical system.
It comprises of two basic factors namely, karma(action) and karma-phala (the result of an
action), according to which everyone reaps the fruit of their actions. Consequently, it can be
defined as the principle of actions performed, and their results that had been / shall be / are being
obtained. Also, the difference in the time of the fruition and performance of acts remains a
mystery. Since karma is identified to be an eternal law pervading the entire universe, it is also
associated with rebirth. It must be noted, no action can be nullified, though it can be performed
without the desire of result (Nishkāma karma). Thus, the points of concern are, can it be
determined whether people truly believe in the philosophy of karma or not? how we may know
whether we are reaping the fruits of our past actions or not? how this principle works? how
karma-phala is provided? if rebirth is true and this is not our first birth? also, if rebirth is true,
freedom from it is possible or not? Though an answer to all of these questions cannot satisfy
every human psyche, yet they play an important role in forming the belief of people towards
karma and karma- phala. The response towards this philosophy is further the cause of the attitude
of individuals, influencing their morals, ethics, and forming an important part of their behaviour
at their workplace. A workplace is characterized by professionalism, commitment, ethics,
organizational aims, performance, deadlines, laying pressure on professionals at the individual
level for their performance. As a result, it can be termed as a place with the regular demand of
karma with the equal intensity of the expectation of results. Individuals may find it tempting to
take the steps which are unethical, wrong, or not recommended for desired outcomes, or they
may follow the righteous path and may fail to obtain the desired outcome.

7.THEORY OF KARMA
The theory of karma is one of the peculiar characteristics of Jainism, which is
elaborately discussed. It is nothing but the the law of moral causation. Nothing happens
without a cause. Each individual is responsible for his or her own actions. These actions
are the cause that produces results. This is the eternal and universal law of Karmas.
Other systems also believe in the theory of Karma. According to the theory of Karma,
man is dependent upon only himself. He does not depend on the supremacy of God. It
is against Akriyavada. It is against Fatalism. There is a glorification of freedom of the
individual. ‘Purusharth’. A person should make good use of the knowledge of the law
that good actions generate good fruits and bad actions generate bad fruits. Then, he will
hesitate to perform bad actions and feel elated to perform only good actions. At times,
under certain circumstances, for maintaining of life or livelihood, we are constrained to
disregard the law of Karma and forced to perform evil actions against our will. In such
cases too we do bind Karmas. But the duration of such Karma may be short, and the
intensity may be less intense.

8.Cause and Effect

the action of body, speech, and mind, affects every aspect of our life. Actions affect both
doers and those around them in unimaginable ways, and the seeds of karma shape our
lives and our worlds, though different Buddhist traditions give different weight to
whether the action is willed or not. In either case, through mindfulness, we become
aware of the nature of these actions and can in fact change our karma, the concept of
cause and effect.

The law of karma is one of the most important laws governing our lives. When we
understand it, and live our understanding, when we act on what we know, then we
experience a sense of wholeness and peace. If we live in a way that is out of harmony,
ignoring the nature of things, we then experience dissonance, pain, and confusion. The
law of karma is one of the fundamental natural laws through which we create these
vastly different realities. It is as though we are all artists, but instead of canvas and
paint, or marble or music, as our medium, our very bodies, minds, and life experience
are the materials of our creative expression. A great sense of fulfillment in dharma
practice comes from knowing this and from actively creating and fashioning our lives.

9. How Karma Relates to Reincarnation

All animals have only Prarabdha Karma, which is the Karma over which they do not
have any control. Mother Nature runs them, so they don't accumulate any future
Karma. If you are totally like an animal, you don't get any Karma. But as a human
being, this is impossible because the mind stores impressions and accumulates future
Karma. And Karma is that which propels reincarnation.
However, there is one thing that can erase Karma and that is knowledge and self-
awareness. If you are aware of yourself and if you are in total love, then you are free
from Karma. Then you are not bound by any impressions – you are free. What gives
you freedom is your awareness.

11. Power of karma in relation to destiny

Karma simply means to perform actions, but it is the motive or intent of the
actions that determines one’s destiny. Therefore, each human being, and not
the Almighty is the architect of his or her own future. Destiny functions on the
spiritual law of action that is subtle and cannot be influenced or manipulated
by humankind.

A majority of humanity believes in this spiritual law in one form or other,

irrespective of religious following or inclination. Many of us have been taught
that when we make mistakes by performing actions outside the moral code of
ethics, we can simply ask forgiveness from God, which would surely be
granted.

13. Reference of any Book

In Hinduism
The concept of karma in Hinduism developed and evolved over centuries. The
earliest Upanishads began with the questions about how and why man is born, and
what happens after death. As answers to the latter, the early theories in these ancient
Sanskrit documents include pancagni vidya (the five fire doctrine), pitryana (the cyclic
path of fathers) and devayana (the cycle-transcending, path of the gods).[51] Those who
do superficial rituals and seek material gain, claimed these ancient scholars, travel the
way of their fathers and recycle back into another life; those who renounce these, go
into the forest and pursue spiritual knowledge, were claimed to climb into the higher
path of the gods. It is these who break the cycle and are not reborn.
In Buddhism
Karma and karmaphala are fundamental concepts in Buddhism,[65][66] which explain how
our intentional actions keep us tied to rebirth in samsara, whereas the Buddhist path, as
exemplified in the Noble Eightfold Path, shows us the way out of samsara.

In the Buddhist tradition, karma refers to actions driven by intention (cetanā),[82][83][77][note 2] a

deed done deliberately through body, speech or mind, which leads to future
consequences.[86] The Nibbedhika Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 6.63:

In Jainism
In Jainism, karma conveys a totally different meaning from that commonly understood
in Hindu philosophy and western civilization.[104] Jain philosophy is the one of the oldest
Indian philosophy that completely separates body (matter) from the soul (pure
consciousness).[105] In Jainism, karma is referred to as karmic dirt, as it consists of very
subtle particles of matter that pervade the entire universe.[106] Karmas are attracted to the
karmic field of a soul due to vibrations created by activities of mind, speech, and body
as well as various mental dispositions. Hence the karmas are the subtle
matter surrounding the consciousness of a soul.

14. Duty is Primary, Karma is Secondary

Duty is moral or legal obligation of an individual or subject.

Duty is not at all related with the karma or the work performed. Duty is subjective
and attached to the subject alone. Karma is objective while duty is subjective.

When a soldier patrols the border of his country, he is doing his karma. That is
his job for which he is paid a salary. When this soldier spots an intruder and takes
a decision – “Whether to shoot or not to shoot”, he is performing his duty (a
moral obligation). If he relentlessly shoots the intruder without even thinking why
he is shooting, he fails to perform his duty. His duty is not to relentlessly fire his
weapon for the job he is paid for. His duty is to understand the responsibility that
comes with power, evaluate the situation and then use the power he has been
given.

So in this example, the duty is not to fire the weapon. The duty is to decide whether to
fire or not.

In the Kurukhestra war, Krishna tells Arjuna to perform his duty. Arjuna
fails to recognize his duty. Arjuna focuses on the Karma alone – the
destruction of his own relatives, brothers and kingsmen. Arjuna says that
by performing this karma, he will incur a sin. Krishna tells him that Duty is
above and beyond Karma. Duty is primary, karma is secondary.

What is a karmic loop?

The karmic holographic loop is when our thoughts and vibration does
not change, hence allowing us to remain in a place that is stuck and
divided, on the lower side of duality; without ever stopping to question
and think if it is right for us.

What attracts good karma?

Consistency cannot be achieved overnight, but as you practice
kindness, compassion, love of self and responsibility for your words
and actions you begin attracting and sending good karma until it
becomes a part of your daily life experience.

What is the symbol for karma?

Karma symbols such as the endless knot (above) are common cultural
motifs in Asia. Endless knots symbolize interlinking of cause and
effect, a Karmic cycle that continues eternally. The endless knot is
visible in the center of the prayer wheel.