The Working of Karma | Setting in Motion the Dharma Wheel

How does karma come into being and manifest in our life? The Chinese character chi meaning ‘origin of suffering’ also has the nuance of ‘accumulation.’ Origin then means ‘source’ and ‘accumulation.’ We already understand that the source is karma, but what is accumulation? In order for karma to manifest, other factors must come into play. These factors are ’causes and conditions’ that are created by our vexations (klesas1), thus leading to accumulation. So accumulation refers to the vexations and the karma that the vexations generate. The main cause of suffering is karma, but it must come together with accumulated causes and conditions to manifest in the present moment. The factors that make karma ripen or manifest are vexations, our emotional afflictions. With the accumulation of the cause (karma), and the conditions (klesas) working together, we have a more complete view of the origin of suffering These two mutually include and enhance each other, creating repercussions that eventually come into being. This is a subtler, closer view of the origin of suffering.

I will defer till later a detailed discussion of the klesas. First let us make sure we understand the origin of our suffering. We have two interrelated causes of suffering: one is karma the other is the klesas–the one rising to an effect when ripened by a multitude of vexations. Our experience in the present is not void of cause; it has its origins and is now made manifest through conditioning.Why do these two come together in the first place to cause all our suffering? To answer this question, we need to talk about intention.

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