Karma and the Possibility of Purification
An Ethical and Psychological Analysis of the Doctrine of Karma in Buddhism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 14760286 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lynken Ghose (Mahidol University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2007 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 259-290 |
| Publication date | 2007-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Religious Ethics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0384-9694 • E-ISSN: 1467-9795 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9795.2007.00306.x |
| OpenAlex | W2170552515 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 9 |
| References cited | 11 |
This article attempts to define karma as both action and the effects of action. In terms of the effects or fruits of action, the effect of action upon the mind is the focus; thus, the idea of “effect” is primarily defined as psychic residue and is compared to Freud's notion of memory traces. In addition, action that produces karma is said to be accompanied by the “pulling” feeling of volition ( cetan ā). Some comparisons are then made between cetan ā and the theories of Karen Horney in Western psychology vis à vis her view of the neurotic's compulsive, driven feelings. The article also has a more ethically oriented side. Often, the karma doctrine is believed to be the only causal factor responsible for one's present condition, and thus, a person's unfortunate circumstances: sometimes this notion leads to blaming a person for his or her misfortune. This article seeks to discover whether or not this idea truly has scriptural backing. Lastly, the article explores the issue of whether or not one must always live out the entirety of the effects of one's actions or if it is possible to purify or eliminate actions' effects before they come to fruition. For this question in particular, the article examines both Therav ā da and Mah ā y ā na thinking
Action (physics · Agency (philosophy · Buddhism · Compatibilism · Doctrine · Epistemology · Feeling · Free will · Karma · Psychoanalysis · Theology · Volition (linguistics · Voluntary action · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology
Navigating Faith-based Practices in Therapy
Instant Karma
Understanding Karma in the Contemporary World
Babies Born Dying
The Western reception of Buddhism as a psychological and ethical system
The Carpets and Karma
Hearing the Distant Temple Bell Toll
Cultural conceptualisations of karma in American, Indian, and Hong Kong varieties of English
In Pursuit of Good Karma
| Unique citing works | 9 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,64 |
| Citation span | 2012 - 2026 (15) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 8 |