An academic and religious definition was mentioned above. The
concept of karma is part of the world view of many millions of
people throughout the world. Many in western cultures or with a
Christian upbringing have incorporated a notion of karma. The
Christian concept of reaping what you sow from Galatians 6:7 can be
considered equivalent to Karma.[40]
According to karma, performing positive actions results in a
good condition in one's experience, whereas a negative action
results in a bad effect. The effects may be seen immediately or
delayed. Delay can be until later in the present life or in the
next. Thus, meritorious acts may mean rebirth into a higher
station, such as a superior human or a godlike being, while evil
acts result in rebirth as a human living in less desirable
circumstances, or as a lower animal. Some observers[who?]
have compared the action of karma to Western notions of sin and judgment by God or Gods, while others
understand karma as an inherent principle of the universe without
the intervention of any supernatural Being. In Hinduism, God does
play a role and is seen as a dispenser of karma; see Karma
in Hinduism for more details. The
non-interventionist view is that of Buddhism and Jainism.
Most teachings say that for common mortals, being involved with
karma is an unavoidable part of daily living. However, in light of
the Hindu philosophical school of Vedanta, as well as Gautama
Buddha's teachings, one is advised to either
avoid, control or become mindful of the effects of desires and
aversions as a way to moderate or change one's karma (or, more
accurately, one's karmic results or destiny).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma