Karma and how does it work?

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Karma means action. It refers to the intentional deeds we do with our body, speech and mind through action, talking and thinking. Karma is the law that every deed done, given the conditions will bear certain fruits.

All deeds leaves imprints or seeds on our consciousness which ripens into our experiences when appropriate conditions come together. For example, if we help someone with a kind heart, this action leaves a positive imprint on our mindstream. When conditions are suitable, this imprint will ripen in our receiving of help when we need it.

Karmic seeds continue with us from lifetime to lifetime. However, if we do not create the cause or Karma for something, we will not experience that result. If one does not plant a certain seed, that plant will not grow. The Buddha taught:

According to the seed that is sown,
So is the fruit you reap,
The doer of good will gather good results,
The doer of evil will gather evil results,
If you plant a good seed well,
Then you will enjoy the good fruits.

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