Karma

Karma has become a household word in the modern world, where it is associated with the belief in rebirth determined by one's deeds in earlier lives. This belief was and is widespread in the Indian subcontinent as is the word "karma" itself. In lucid and accessible prose, this book presents karma in its historical, cultural, and religious context. Initially, karma manifested itself in a number of religious movements-most notably Jainism and Buddhism-and was subsequently absorbed into Brahmanism in spite of opposition until the end of the first millennium CE. Philosophers of all three traditions were faced with the challenge of explaining by what process rebirth and karmic retribution take place. The doctrine of karma was confronted with alternative explanations of human destiny, among them the belief in the transfer of merit. The book concludes with some general reflections on the significance of rebirth and karmic retribution, drawing attention to similarities between early Christian and Indian ascetical practices and philosophical notions that in India draw their inspiration from the doctrine of karma.

Johannes Bronkhorst is professor of Sanskrit and Indian studies at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland).