The Four Buddhist Tenet Systems Regarding What Karma Is

Karma (las, Skt. karma) is the most complex topic in Buddhism and is explained differently in each of the four Indian Buddhist tenet systems. Here, we shall summarize the main points of the differences among them by surveying the major technical terms that appear in each of the four presentations.

In these presentations, karma is best translated as an “impulse” in order to be applicable to all technical terms regarding karma as used in all four systems. Many of the other technical terms need to be translated slightly differently, but within the parameters allowed by Sanskrit grammar, so as to fit all usages.

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