We have generally preferred to say "the effects of actions," "actions and their effects" or the "principle of cause and effect." Karma literally means simply "action," but is often used loosely to mean the result produced by past actions (las kyi 'bras bu, Skt. karmaphala). [WOMPT, 1998]

Also translated in this book as “actions,” or as “past deeds.” Implied in the use of this term is the force created by a positive or negative action which is then stored in an individual’s stream of being and persists until it is experienced as pleasure or pain (usually in another life), after which the deed is said to be exhausted. Although the Sanskrit term karma simply means “action,” it has come to be widely used to signify the result produced by past deeds (Tib. las kyi ’bras bu), which is sometimes wrongly equated with destiny or fate, that is, with something beyond one’s control. In the Buddhist teachings, the principle of karma covers the whole process of deeds leading to results in future lives, and this is taught as being something that is very definitely within one’s control. See also law of cause and effect. [TLWF, 2011][OMS, 2018]

Action, the psychophysical principle of cause and effect according to which all experiences are the result of previous actions, and all actions are the seeds of future existential situations. Actions resulting in the experience of happiness are defined as virtuous; actions which give rise to suffering are described as non-virtuous. [TPQ, 2010] [LLB, 2002][CMH, 2001]

Although this term simply means “action,” it has come to be widely used to signify the result produced by past actions (Tib. las kyi ’bras bu), often with the implication of destiny or fate and of something beyond one’s control. In the Buddhist teachings, the principle of karma covers the whole process of actions leading to results in future lives, which is something that is very definitely within one’s control. See also law of cause and effect. [ZT, 2006]

Sanskrit word meaning "action," understood as the law of causality. According to the Buddha's teaching, all actions, whether of thought, word or deed, are like seeds which will eventually bear fruit in terms of experience, whether in this or future lives. A positive or virtuous act will result in happiness, while the definition of sin or negative action is that which is the cause of suffering for the agent later on. [TEPTE, 1996]

see deeds. [OMS, 2018]

The whole process of deeds (physical, verbal, and mental) leading to results in future lives. The force created by a positive or negative action is stored in an individual’s stream of being and persists until it is experienced as pleasure or pain (usually in another life), after which the deed is said to be exhausted. The term karma (action) is sometimes used to signify the result produced by past deeds (Tib. las kyi ’bras bu), which some people wrongly equate with destiny or fate—that is, with something beyond one’s control. However, the Buddha taught that everything one will experience in future lives depends on one’s deeds and is, therefore, very definitely within one’s control. [NS]