Karma

Name meaning fate

Karma comes from a Sanskrit word meaning action or deed.

In Hindu and Buddhist thought, karma is the sum of a person's actions in this and previous lives, determining their fate in future existences.

In casual use, karma is a looser notion of cosmic justice—good deeds bring good fortune, bad deeds bring consequences: Karma's a bitch.

What goes around comes around captures the idea.

spiritual

dharma

Cosmic moral order

enlightenment · moksha · nirvana · soul · afterlife · cosmic · divine · universal · transcendence · liberation

causation

cause

What produces an effect

reaction · retribution · justice · balance · reciprocity · outcome · result · repercussion · boomerang · payback

colloquial

vibes

Informal term for atmosphere

  • energyPower to do work
  • luckChance affecting outcomes
  • jujuMagical West African charm

mojo · aura · comeuppance · deserved · instant · bad · good · negative · positive · universe

moral

virtue

Moral goodness or merit

  • sinViolation of divine law
  • meritDeserved praise-worthiness
  • demeritPunitive mark recorded

good · evil · righteous · ethical · conduct · behavior · character · integrity · morality · reward

Opposites
cosmic justice mechanism

Karmarandomness

Lack of predictable pattern

chance · random chance · chaos · luck · coincidence

agency and moral responsibility

Karmapredestination

Divinely predetermined fate

fate · destiny · determinism · grace · injustice

spiritual worldview

Karmagrace

Effortless beauty of motion

divine forgiveness · absolution · redemption · salvation · atonement

Phrases
Family

karmic, karmically

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G