Fate and Karma as the Basis of Natural Human Culture, Essay Example

Things happen for reason, sometimes though, the reasons are elusive enough that they become that hard to comprehend with. Nevertheless, to be able to respond to the reasoning behind such unprecedented occurrences, the existence of fate and karma as forms of explanations come into account. Relatively, these two elements stand to be among the most important foundations of human culture especially relating to reasoning beyond doubt. The stories Sakundala and Iliad both have used the themes relating to fate and karma to be able to define the being and the life of the main characters in the plot. Notably, it could be understood that with the settings, the plot creation and the story board that presented both the background basis of Sakundala and Iliad, both fate and karma plays a great role in making definitive mark of development among the individuals involved in the story.

Fate and karma however are two very different things. Fate is more on what has been predestined for a person by someone or by a group of personas who are considered supreme. It is believed by many to be a controlling element in life that cannot simply be changed as desired. In the stories read, fate is decided by the gods and the deities. As if handling the life’s turns and twists within their hands, they get to decide who gets blessed and who gets damned. Relatively, it could be realized that with such power given to the gods [as defined in both stories], they are allowed to rather ‘play’ with the emotions and the overall being of the people. Notably though, this particular concept specifically identifies oppositely with the existence of free will. Free will specifically instantiates on how one person has the right to decide for himself, to become more effective in creating a life that he wants through the decisions that he makes. Nevertheless, being under the controlling order of fate, the value of free will becomes vague thus manifesting a nullified effect on how humans should be able to decide and handle themselves personally.

On the other end, karma is the returning response of fate towards the acts that one does. For instance, if one does something good, then the results of such actions would be good as well. It is noted to be the natural balance of destiny as it makes the wrongdoers pay for their actions. In a way though, if closely examined, it could be realized that karma at some point overpowers the implication of fate. For as fate already predestines what will happen with a person, such predestination could still e changed depending on the actions of the individual hence altering the situation through the application of karma.

No matter a person believes or not, karma and fate has already become one of the most established elements that define human reasoning. Even though there are those who aim to not depend on the said idea especially when dealing with problems that at times may seem unbearable to handle, there are times when the unexplainable happens hence prompting them to come back to the same terms of reasoning. Modern thinkers however intend to change the said attitude through implicating that it is the decision of a human being to define what he would become. Considerably, the emergence of freewill is a constant value that should be given particular importance, appreciation and attention to all the time. It is because of this element that humans are regarded to be their own drivers of their own lives. The way they decide would define the way the road they take would actually mold them into becoming better or worse individuals depending on their own choice. Karma on the other end is explained better in contrast with consequences. If one does anything, then there ought to be a result to it and such results often come as consequences that identify the value of the decision that one has undergone. It is for this reason that fate and karma is gradually being refurbished by some; but still, it could not be denied that depending on its principles still remain to be the factor that identifies well with particular population of individuals around the globe today.

References:

Cornelius, Geoffrey, C. (1994). “The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination“, Penguin Group, part of Arkana Contemporary Astrology series.

Jung, C.G. and Wolfgang Pauli. (2011). The Interpretation of Nature and Psyche, New York: Pantheon Books.

Jaini, Padmanabh S. (2003). “From Nigoda to Moksa: The Story of Marudevi”. In Qvarnström, Olle. Jainism and Early Buddhism: Essays in Honor of Padmanabh S. Jaini I. Fremont CA: Asian Humanities Press (an imprint of Jain Publishing Company). pp. 1–28.

Sancheti Asoo Lal, Bhandari Manak Mal – Fist Steps to Jainism (Part Two): Doctrine of Karma, Doctrine of Anekant and Other Articles with Appendices – Catalogued by Library of U.S. Congress, Washington.