The Law(s) of Karma

Deeply contemplate the certainty of karma....
-- The Three Principles of the Path

Happy are those who fear the LORD,
who greatly delight in his commandments.....
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked see it and are angry;
they gnash their teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.
--Psalm 112: 1b, 4-10

The idea of karma expressed in the commonly known phrase "actions have consequences" is captured in the Pali word pair kamma-vipaka, which is to be understood as referring to intentional actions, and results (consequences) relating to states of being and (re)birth of the actor. In the Lam Rim tradition, karma is understood to have four aspects:

1. Karma is definite: Unskillful actions (akusala-kamma) lead to dukkha (stress, suffering, pain, distress, discontent) and skillful actions (kusala-kamma) lead to sukha (pleasure, ease, satisfaction).
   • The Cula-Kammavibhanga Sutta gives a detailed list of causes and effects.
2. Vipaka is fast-growing: It is said that its strength doubles overnight, particularly if the action (skillful or unskillful) was accomplished by strong intention, fully carried through, with satisfaction at its accomplishment.
3. If you create the cause through skillful or unskillful action, you will definitely enjoy or suffer its ultimate effect respectively, with a couple of exceptions:
   • In his Guide to the Bodhisattva's way of Life, Shantideva says:
     Whatever wholesome deeds,
     Such as venerating the Buddhas, and generosity,
     That have been amassed over a thousand aeons
     Will all be destroyed in one moment of anger.
     -- Bodhisattvacharyavatara, VI.1
   • In the performance of an unskillful action, you plant a seed of future suffering. However, through appropriate practice of repentance and purification it may be possible to prevent the conditions from arising under which that seed can grow and bear fruit.
4. If you do not create the cause, you will not experience a resulting effect.