While I may not have associated the idea with the word karma until recently, the concept of
karma or kamma is one that is very
familiar to me. Stemming from my childhood, I was taught that doing good would
in turn bring good back to me. I can recount numerous times in which I will be
in the car with my mom and she finds a good parking spot. The first thing to
come out of her mouth is and will always be, “You have to remember to thank
Buddha and God, as well as do good to get opportunities like these.” My mom
firmly believes that it was the good-doings from her past life that give her
the wonderful things that she has now.
I find the concept of karma almost ironic. While it is
important to let go of selfishness and greed, the idea of being enlightened can
only apply to the self. The Buddha was very adamant that his diciples lived for
helping others and good karma will bring them peace in return. Throughout my
life, I feel that this idea has been misunderstood, especially in the religious
setting I grew up in. I notice that many people who attend temple every week go
with the intention that it is a good action and will help them in their next
life. Unfortunately, during their time there, I see that people forget that
they are there to better themselves or to learn something new. Many still
harbor anger, hostility, and greed among other things yet still expecting
benefits in a later life.
Throughout my childhood, I thought of going to temple in the
same terms. I had always thought that if I behaved myself in temple, that will
bring good karma my way, or so I was taught. I only recently learned that
reciting prayers and worshipping the Buddha wasn’t the basis of Buddhism at all,
it was the ideas and symbols behind the acts that are most important. While I
don’t know if there is an afterlife or not, it is still beneficiary to be kind
and helpful to others. Even if Buddhism isn’t your religion, this concept of
morality can be applied to all humans, and I think for the better.
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