# Karma

Nhat Hanh speaks little of karma; when he does so, he speaks of it as action, with its causes/conditions ("seeds") and consequences ("fruits").

> In Buddhism we use the word karma. Karma is action, action as cause and action as fruit. When action is a cause, we call it karmahetu. The Chinese word for karmahetu contains the character for karma and a character that means “seed.” When we produce a thought, the production of the thought is a karmahetu, karma-cause. That thought will have an effect on our mental and physical health and on the health of the world. And that health, good or bad, is the fruit of the karma, the fruit of the thought. Karmaphala is the karma-fruit. So karma is action, action in the cause and action in the fruit. (Thich Nhat Hanh, [Dharma Talk](https://www.mindfulnessbell.org/archive/2015/04/dharma-talk-karma-continuation-and-the-noble-eightfold-path), 2005)

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:mag: Unfortunately, the concept of karma is often [abused to justify the suffering of others][abused], especially the less fortunate and oppressed, as deserved based on their past actions. I believe this is why Nhat Hanh speaks of it rarely.

[abused]: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-problem-with-karma_b_3894987

Granted, each of us are the consequence of earlier causes and conditions.
We each have an endowment of genetics, upbringing, experiences, and actions (i.e., "seeds" that give rise to subsequent "fruits").
This truth does not imply "deserves."

Using karma to blame others is counter to the insight of [interbeing](/uDEH3sx4TSyD0vxB8k8-YQ).
Consider, if you had lived the exact same life as someone else (same genetics and experience), you would be just like them: you'd have the same karma.
You might object, "but that wouldn't be me!"
Indeed, the very notions of "you" and "me" are dualistic.

If "you" are fortunate to have benefited from positive fruits in your life, how can you best use them to take **action** to lessen suffering and plant positive seeds for the future? --[Reagle](/aMHS5-Q2R8OfdyUIipHtbg).
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###### tags: `Buddhism`