Karma

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Karma means the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. Depending on what you believe the idea of karma can change. One school believes that in order to receive karma you have to take action on what you think, but another school says that every thought should be counted because all actions start with thoughts. Karma is a very important aspect in The Caste System. The Caste System has different levels with the Brahmans at the top and Sudras at the bottom. If your actions in your present life are acceptable, then you will be reborn at a higher level in The Caste System. If your present actions are not acceptable, then you will be reborn in at the lowest level of the Caste System. The Caste system is amde up of many parts and you can only go up 1 level at a time with good karma, but if you have bad karma you immediately drop to the bottom of the Caste System. A common saying is "What goes around, comes around" because with karma if you make someone's life miserable, eventually you will become miserable too.

Manual pg 132

Class Notes: 04/10/14

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/karma

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/beliefs/karma.htm

Elizabeth Awad