Masters on Karma: Wisdom from Eastern Spiritual Teachers

Karma, the law of cause and effect, is one of the most profound and widely discussed concepts in Eastern philosophy. Rooted in the idea that every action, thought, or intention generates consequences that return to the individual, karma serves as both a moral compass and a guiding principle for spiritual growth. This law transcends religious boundaries, being central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other traditions. Various spiritual masters have interpreted and elaborated on karma throughout the ages, each offering unique insights into how it operates within the universe and how individuals can align their lives with this cosmic principle.

In this article, we explore the teachings of 15 prominent Eastern spiritual masters, highlighting their wisdom on karma and its implications for human life.

1. The Buddha (c. 563–c. 483 BCE)

One of the earliest and most influential teachers of karma, Gautama Buddha, emphasized that karma is driven by intention and volition.

"Intention, O monks, is karma I say. Having willed, one acts by body, speech, and mind."
– The Buddha, Anguttara Nikaya 6.63

The Buddha taught that our intentions behind actions shape our karmic outcomes, whether positive or negative. The path to liberation, he said, lies in mindful, compassionate, and wise actions.

2. Sri Krishna (c. 3228 BCE)

In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna speaks extensively about karma, emphasizing karma yoga, the path of selfless action.

"Perform your duty equably, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga."
– Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 2:48

Krishna advises that we should not be attached to the fruits of our actions. Instead, we should focus on performing our duties with detachment and a sense of offering to the divine.

3. Lao Tzu (c. 6th century BCE)

The founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, viewed karma as part of the natural flow of life, a balance between actions and their consequences in accordance with the Tao.

"He who acts in harmony with the Tao, the Tao is also pleased with him. He who acts against the Tao will meet with resistance."
– Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

For Lao Tzu, living in harmony with the natural order of things allows us to generate positive karma and move in alignment with the universe.

4. Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902)

The Indian monk and philosopher Swami Vivekananda expanded on the concept of karma through his teachings on personal responsibility and self-empowerment.

"We are responsible for what we are; and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in the future can be produced by our present actions."
– Swami Vivekananda

Vivekananda stressed the importance of conscious action, stating that we hold the key to our future karmic states by the choices we make today.

5. Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952)

Yogananda, the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, explained karma in the context of reincarnation and spiritual evolution.

"Karma is the law of cosmic justice. It adjusts effects to causes, on both the physical and mental planes, in order to teach the soul correct conduct."
– Paramahansa Yogananda

For Yogananda, karma serves as a divine teacher, guiding individuals toward greater spiritual understanding across lifetimes.

6. Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950)

The great Indian sage Ramana Maharshi viewed karma as part of the illusory world and advised seeking liberation from it through self-inquiry.

"Karma only exists insofar as one identifies with the body and mind. Once one realizes the Self, the sense of doership and its resulting karma dissolve."
– Ramana Maharshi

Ramana taught that by realizing the true Self, one transcends the cycle of karma and frees oneself from its binding effects.

7. Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022)

The Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh emphasized mindfulness and compassionate action as a way to generate good karma.

"Karma means action, and action is thought, speech, and behavior. Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature."
– Thich Nhat Hanh

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, every moment is an opportunity to produce good karma through mindful, kind, and compassionate thoughts and actions.

8. Dalai Lama (b. 1935)

The current Dalai Lama has taught extensively about karma, particularly in relation to compassion and ethical behavior.

"The law of karma is like gravity; it acts on all beings without exception. But by cultivating compassion, we can create positive karma and gradually purify negative imprints."
– Dalai Lama

For the Dalai Lama, compassion is the key to accumulating positive karma and progressing on the spiritual path.

9. Sri Ramakrishna (1836–1886)

Sri Ramakrishna, a Bengali mystic, viewed karma as an inescapable force that can be transcended through divine surrender.

"The effect of karma wears away if one takes refuge in God. But until then, one must suffer its consequences."
– Sri Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna emphasized that devotion to God and spiritual practice could lessen the burden of karma.

10. Siddha Patanjali (c. 2nd century BCE)

The sage Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, saw karma as the key force driving reincarnation and spiritual evolution.

"As long as there is the residual effect of karma, there is birth, bound by cause and effect."
– Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 4:11

Patanjali taught that one must exhaust their karmic debts through disciplined practice to achieve liberation (moksha).

11. Osho (1931–1990)

Osho, the modern Indian spiritual teacher, spoke of karma as a mechanism for learning self-awareness.

"Karma means you cannot escape from your own actions. Wherever you go, your actions, your thoughts, and their consequences follow you like a shadow."
– Osho

Osho emphasized that karma reflects our inner state, and by becoming aware of it, we can transform ourselves and break free from its hold.

12. Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981)

The Indian guru Nisargadatta Maharaj taught that while karma shapes worldly existence, it is ultimately unreal from the perspective of the Absolute.

"As long as you imagine yourself to be a body and a mind, karma will follow. Once you know yourself as pure being, karma dissolves."
– Nisargadatta Maharaj

Nisargadatta’s teachings emphasize self-realization as the path beyond karma and duality.

13. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)

Gandhi’s approach to karma centered around selfless action and the importance of ahimsa (non-violence).

"The law of karma is relentless. We reap exactly what we sow, not only in the form of visible results but also in the unseen impact on our own souls."
– Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi believed that through non-violent actions and purity of intent, we can align our karma with higher principles of justice and love.

14. Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986)

Krishnamurti questioned traditional views of karma, emphasizing personal freedom and awareness.

"Karma does not mean accepting things as they are or passively waiting for change. It is about understanding that we are responsible for our actions and their consequences."
– Jiddu Krishnamurti

Krishnamurti encouraged self-awareness and direct perception of reality to break free from karmic patterns.

15. Chögyam Trungpa (1939–1987)

The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa focused on karma as a tool for awakening to the truth of impermanence and interdependence.

"Karma is not some external force that punishes or rewards. It is the natural law of cause and effect, reminding us that our actions, thoughts, and words create our experience."
– Chögyam Trungpa

Trungpa highlighted understanding karma helps cultivate mindfulness and ethical living.