Law Of Karma Research Articles

Antecedents of Accountability Based on Karma Pala Teachings and its Consequences on Panureksa VCI Performance in Badung Regency

The rampant involvement of Village Credit Institution (VCI) officials in corruption cases in various regions in Bali, especially in Badung Regency, is an interesting issue to be studied and researched further. This action, in addition to having an impact on the performance of the VCI organization, also has an impact on the sustainability of VCI in the future. As is known, published data shows that almost all regions in Bali have found VCI that are unhealthy and have even gone bankrupt. How is it possible that VCI, which is managed by the community based on traditional villages with very strict awig-awig, actually experiences fraud committed by the officials themselves. This is very embarrassing and distorts the goals of VCI that have been aspired to. The existence of various fraudulent practices is an indicator of the weak supervisory function in VCI. Prevention of unhealthy practices in VCI should be carried out properly if Panureksa is responsive to every transaction that exists. The failure of the supervisory body to prevent deviations in VCI management and protect village assets from corruption is a reflection of the weak performance of the VCI supervisory body. This study aims to answer the main problem regarding the role of belief in the law of karma as an antecedent in improving the performance of panureksa. This study was conducted at panureksa VCI in Badung Regency. Hypothesis testing was carried out using PLS-SEM analysis, with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.9 Software. The results of the study indicate that belief in the law of karma can increase the accountability of panureksa in carrying out their duties. Belief in the law of karma can function as a moral and ethical principle that encourages someone to act in a correct and responsible manner, with the belief that their actions will be rewarded accordingly in the future. Other results indicate that accountability can improve the performance of panureksa. Accountability requires panureksa to actively identify, assess, and manage risks that can affect VCI operations. Good risk management can reduce the likelihood of financial or operational problems, thereby increasing the stability and performance of the institution.

Moral Messages & Action Film (Semiotic Analysis Roland Barthes In The Film Bad Boys For Life)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the meaning of Roland Barthes' Semiotics which include denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings. The film is directed by Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi and starred Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the film Bad Boys for Life. This study used the descriptive qualitative method. The object of this research is several scenes in the film Bad Boys For Life. The results of this study found that in the film Bad Boys For Life, several scenes or scenes contain moral messages. Some of the moral messages that are divided through the scenes that the researcher chooses include; First, the law of karma that applies and the consequences of every action taken. The second moral message is how the family can be the main factor in shaping a child's personality, therefore parents must reflect something good in front of their children so that they become good children and are useful to their environment. Third, the doctrine that is carried out by parents can affect the condition of the child, the existence of fear, and the taking of the child's right to speak, the taking of the child's right to express his opinion because it is fixed by the doctrine expected by the parents.

Illicit Sex, Karma and Karmic Discredit in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation

Karmic discredit and law of Karma is a belief system in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is a force created by a person’s actions which to a degree determines what that person’s next life or his fate in the current life will be or look like. This belief is widely held on to that many people believe the cause of good or bad things that happens to a person has to do with karma. The catastrophic and astronomic fall of Professor Lucien N’Dyare from his lofty height and enviable academic pedestals is tagged to karmic discredit; not as a result of the damage done to Moremi but as a result of the sexual abuse done to Diatta, a promising young lady and daughter of Mr Cardosa who he deceived to bed with a failed offer of a scholarship which later haunted him to fall at Moremi’s feminist whims. The study adopts Hooks (2000) Feminist theory to interrogate illicit sex and karmic discredit in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation. As Hooks (2000) puts it, feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression. This is exactly what the protagonist in the movie Moremi Oluwa was designed to achieve. She was to liberate female students from the clog of male lecturers who demand sex for grades. Finding reveals that Professor Lucien N’Dyare in the movie made an effortless attempt to sexually harass Moremi Oluwa right in his office, and at a later time, made another attempt to rape her in his residence after he had successfully schemed out a party that lured Moremi Oluwa to his trapped chamber one evening.

Hindu Gen Z perceptions of karma and reincarnation at Denpasar City

Karma and reincarnation are central concepts in Hinduism. The law of karma says that whatever humans do will be harvested accordingly. Whoever does evil will be rewarded accordingly, and those who do good will find goodness. However, the facts of life do not always follow these laws, and Gen Z states that he knows many people who do bad things but are respected in the public sphere. The evil deeds committed do not have any natural effect. They question whether religion only offers heaven's reward and whether good people have to suffer. The concept also seemed unappealing to them because a good and prosperous life on Earth is essential. Suppose a wrong person with evil behavior can achieve a good life, get rich fraudulently, get elected as an official, and be respected. In that case, it is questionable where the world's justice lies. This article is the result of qualitative research that examines the perceptions of Gen Z Hindus in the city of Denpasar regarding karma and reincarnation. Research is also combined with statistical analysis, which shows a tendency to doubt believing the truth of the concept. The study involved 200 adolescents from the city of Denpasar, with data collection carried out through observation, interviews, and FGDs and continued with filling out a simple questionnaire. The analysis results show that as many as 35% of adolescents have doubts about the truth of karma and reincarnation, 15% do not know, and the rest believe in the truth of the concept even though it leaves a number of questions.

Internalisasi Nilai-Nilai Etika Hindu di Komunitas Ekspresi Desa Sibang Kaja Kabupaten Badung

Dharma is a principle of life that every human being must own. Dharma in the form of behavior is called Susila (ethics). Komunitas Ekspresi in every activity always emphasizes and instills ethical values in children. From a conceptual point of view, the internalization of ethical values in the Komunitas Ekspresi is similar to Hindu ethical values. This study aimed to describe the internalization of Hindu ethical values in the Komunitas Ekspresi of Sibang Kaja Village, Badung Regency. The research method used is qualitative with an ethnographic approach a la James Spradley. The technique for determining informants is purposive sampling following the ethnographic method. Types and sources of data are qualitative data types, while data sources are primary and secondary data. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews, and documentation studies. Ethnographic data analysis techniques, namely domain analysis, taxonomic analysis, componential analysis, and analysis of cultural themes. The results of this study found that: 1) Internalization of Hindu ethical values found were: a) Law of Karma, namely children are taught to be responsible for what they do, b) Catur Guru, namely children are taught to respect four teachers, c) Tri hita karana, namely children are taught to establish harmonious relationships with God, fellow human beings and the environment, d) Catur Paramita, namely children are taught to apply the four ethical attitudes of noble character. 2) The inhibiting factors for internalizing Hindu ethical values include a) parental support, which is relatively low, especially in assisting in continuing the direction of teaching staff in educating children when they are at home, b) teaching staff whose number is still limited and c) facilities which are still classified as limited. 3) The impact of internalizing Hindu ethical values is the religious impact, the emotional impact, the impact of independent behavior, the impact of responsibility, the impact of self-confidence, and the impact of creativity. The conclusion is that the Komunitas Ekspresi teaches Hindu ethical values.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANITY AND BUDDHISM VALUES

The article considers dynamics and carries out comparison of significant valuable guidelines of Christianity and Buddhism which form the basis of theological conceptions if these world religions and demonstrate ideological and moral priorities of people professing these religions. The issues under consideration are of relevance as the problem considered in the article and reacquired results of the survey reveal the difference in the mentality of people confessing definite religion and as a result can remove difficulties arising in the process of communication of people sharing different religious views.
 The aim of the carried investigation is to identify values forming the basis of the two of the world’s principal religions. To determine causes and main directions of historical dynamics of the pointed values as well as influence of the values of a certain religion on the society’s functioning.
 In the process of conducting research the following methods were used: semantic and content analysis method, conceptual analysis and discourse analysis.
 The study showed that the following values can be referred to traditional Christian values: faith, good (kindness), love, mercy, modesty, forgiveness, purity of morals, God. At the present stage of social development Christian values have undergone changes, and at present such values as life, truth, and good have come to the fore. Besides, modern Christianity refers to values such notions as patriotism, freedom and family values. Buddhism historically refers to the category of values the guidelines determining foundations of human life: correct views, correct intentions, correct speech, correct behavior, correct lifestyle, correct efforts, correct attention. At the present stage of social development modified values of Buddhism come to the forefront: cleansing the mind and developing wisdom, compassion, the law of karma and rebirth. In modern Buddhism, values present complex concepts implying that a person has particular moral qualities. The results of the study showed that Christian values have been kept unchanged, while values of Buddhism have been subject to changes under the influence of changing historical conditions.

To be liberated the Vaisheshika way, or the Vaisheshika attempt at a «Negative Soteriology» by the Indian school of philosophy

The article examines the original concept of the Vaisheshika school, criticized by other Indian philosophers, according to which Self (Atman), freed from the bonds of rebirth (saṃsāra), is a pure substance (dravya), devoid of consciousness, which is believed to be its impermanent quality (guna); the opponents compared the Vaisheshika's liberated Self with a stone or a log. The author proposes an explanation of the Vaisheshika liberation doctrine (soteriology) within the framework of its categoriology, in which consciousness and Atman belong to different categories, respectively, guna and dravya. Vaisheshika proclaims knowledge of the six categories to be the highest spiritual goal (nihshreyasa), which, in turn, comes from the pure Dharma (Merit). The reason why the Vaisheshikas felt obliged to add a pure Dharma as the final step towards liberation (which distinguishes Vaisheshika from other schools, emphasizing the soteriological value of knowledge) is explained by assuming the Dharma's capacity to overcome a dichotomy of merit-demerit (dharma-adharma) as the main factor responsible for the rebirth of an embodied ātman. The pure Dharma, due to all the positive karmic energy accumulated during countless reincarnations of the soul, arises at the very last moment in a person's life to purufy his/her true Atman from the law of karma and rebirth. Since nothing can be said about Atman's future, it is not a "liberation for", but a "liberation from", which can be called a "negative soteriology".

Environmental Ethics of Buddhism: Ecological Values in the Mirror of Wisdom by Erdeni Galshiev

The aim of this article is to analyze one of the most outstanding works of Buryat didactic literature – The Mirror of Wisdom by Erdeni Khaibzun Galshiev (1855 – 26 June (9 July) 1915) and to identify the Buddhist ecological values in it. We argue that in the modern context of global environmental awareness as well as local ecological problems in the Baikal region, Russia, The Mirror of Wisdom, and its described practices for laymen have become extremely significant and can serve as the guideline for sustainable living. We start with the overview of the historical background of Buddhism on the territory of the republic of Buryatia, Russia, go on with the general structure of The Mirror of Wisdom by Erdeni Galshiev, and proceed to the analysis of ecological values, such as non-harming to other creatures, the law of karma, non-attachment, and so on. The analysis shows that although written a century ago and not aimed initially to bring together the inter-related issues of population, consumption and the environment, The Mirror of Wisdom suggests certain conclusions concerning these issues and can contribute to ecological sustainability as well as economic and social justice.

Mathematical proof of the first stage of the law of karma that good deeds lead to happiness and bad deeds lead to suffering. What is buddha-“God” by buddhist religion understanding?

In this paper, we will prove the Buddhist teaching that good deeds/actionlead to happiness and bad deeds lead to suffering has a scientific verification by using an optimal control theory branch of mathematics.TheBuddhist teaching considers thatBuddha is a good mind/soul with information about good deeds or good karma. Here we will prove this view has scientific evidence as a theorem.

Towards Skillful Global Citizenship Education

This article examines the implications of aspects of Buddhist philosophy for contemporary Global Citizenship Education. With primary reference to the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, it specifically considers Buddhist understandings of suffering, the doctrine of no-self, the notion of store-consciousness, and the law of karma. The article subsequently introduces a skillful global citizenship education that is built on three pillars; namely, skillful awareness of interdependence, skillful compassion, and skillful awareness of intention.

The Astrology of Indians: An Introduction

The aimed at elevating the general public’s understanding of Indian Astrology, including its origin and definition. Astronomical views about Astrology, as well as the relationship between Astrology and Astronomy, were also highlighted in this article. It also addresses the belief system surrounding the Indian Astrology. On top of giving an overall view of the Astrological beliefs that prevalent in various countries, the article also discusses the variety of Indian Astrology, as it is widely regarded as one of the major systems in the world. For this, it is importance to understand how the Astrology works and benefits the public. Therefore, the article describes the intricate process and the disciplines that required to practice this art. Indian Astrology, in particular, has been meticulously studied and the knowledge has been passed on to subsequent generations by Astrologers. The contributions and publications of these Astrologers were also detailed in this article. As the current society has developed a keen sense of critical thinking, scientific reasoning has become crucial to prove the validity of theories and systems. In keeping this in view, the scientific basis of Astrology were also discussed here. Since Indian Astrology has a vast majority of Hindu followers, the article also explores the relationship between the Astrological art and the Hindu religion’s law of karma, besides of explaining the benefits of the proper practice and extensive understanding of Indian Astrology. ஆய்வுச் சுருக்கம் இக்கட்டுரை இந்தியர்களின் சோதிடக் கலையைப் பற்றிய ஒரு பொதுவான புரிதலைக் கொடுக்கின்ற நோக்கத்தில் படைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றது. இக்கட்டுரையில் தரப்பட்டுள்ள இந்திய சோதிடக்கலையைப் பற்றிய விளக்கங்களும் குறிப்புகளும் மக்கள் சோதிடக்கலையை பற்றி அறிந்துகொள்ள துணைசெய்யும். சோதிடக் கலையைப் பற்றிய பொதுவான புரிதலைப் பெற்றிருப்பதற்கு, சோதிடம் என்னும் பெயருக்கான சொற்பொருள் விளக்கம் அறியப்படவேண்டும். எனவே இக்கட்டுரையில்  அதுசார்ந்த விளக்கங்கள் தரப்பட்டுள்ளன. இக்கலைக்கு அடிப்படையாக உள்ள விண்ணியல் சார்ந்த செய்திகளும், விண்ணியலுக்கும் சோதிடத்துக்கும் இடையிலான தொடர்புகளும் புரிந்துகொள்ளப்பட வேண்டும். அவற்றைப்பற்றியும் இக்கட்டுரை  விளக்குகின்றது. எதன்பொருட்டு சோதிட நம்பிக்கை உருவாகியிருக்கக்கூடும் என்பதைப்பற்றிய புரிதல்  மிக முக்கியமானதாகும். எனவே அதைப்பற்றியும் இக்கட்டுரை கருத்துரைக்கின்றது. உலக சோதிடங்களுள் இந்திய சோதிடம் முதன்மை வகிப்பதனாலும் இக்கட்டுரையின் மையக்கருத்து இந்திய சோதிடத்தைப் பற்றி அமைந்திருப்பதனாலும்  இந்திய சோதிடத்தைப் பற்றிய விளக்கங்கள் சற்று விரிவாகக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இனி, சோதிடக்கலை இயலும் முறையைப் பற்றிய புரிதலும் இன்றியமையாததாகின்றது. எனவே இக்கட்டுரை, சோதிடம் இயற்றப்பட்ட  முறையையும் அக்கலை இயலும் முறையையும் விளக்குகின்றது. இந்திய சோதிடத்தைக் காலந்தோறும் பல தலைமுறைகளாகத் தொடரச் செய்வதில் சோதிடர்களும் அவர்கள் இயற்றிய நூல்களும் அளப்பரிய பங்காற்றியுள்ளன.அவற்றையும் இக்கட்டுரை விளக்கமாகத் தருகின்றது. இன்று எதையும் அறிவியல் கண்ணோட்டத்துடன் அணுகும் போக்கு உலக வழக்காகிவிட்டது. எனவே நம்பிக்கை சார்ந்த இக்கலை அறிவியல் சார்ந்ததா என்னும் விளக்கத்தையும் இக்கட்டுரை அளிக்கின்றது. இந்தியர்களுள் பெரும்பிரிவினரான இந்துக்கள் நம்புகின்ற கலையாதலால் இச்சோதிடக்கலைக்கும் இந்து சமயத்தின் கோட்பாடுகளின் முக்கியக்கூறான கருமவினைக்கும் இடையிலான தொடர்பும் இக்கட்டுரையில் சுட்டப்பெறுகின்றது. சோதிடக் கலையினால் விளையும் பயன்தான் என்ன என்பதைபற்றிய தேடல், இக்கலையைப் பற்றிய ஒட்டுமொத்தப் புரிதலுக்கும் உதவும் என்பதனால் சோதிடக்கலையின் பயன் என்னும் பொருளிலும் இக்கட்டுரையில் விளக்கங்கள் தரப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்திய சோதிடக் கலையைப் பற்றிய பொதுவான புரிதலை இக்கட்டுரையை வாசிப்பவர்கள் பெறவியலும்.

Law of Karma - The Saving Grace

Law of Karma - The Saving Grace

Caring for the seniors with chronic illness: The lived experience of caregivers of older adults

BackgroundCaregivers of the elderly with chronic illnesses are exposed to the burden associated with their caregiving activities. This study described the lived experience of caregivers of older adults in Nigeria. MethodsA qualitative design guided by interpretive phenomenology informed the design of the research, whereby 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers of older adults with chronic illnesses. The interview sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and analysed using constant comparison analysis method. ResultsFifteen caregivers, from different parts of Osun State, Nigeria, took part in the in-depth interviews. The caregivers were aged between 19 and 70 years, ten were women, five of them had secondary education, seven were self-employed and six were in a spousal relationship. The study uncovered four interrelated themes with explanatory subthemes—commitment to preservation of life (managing challenges associated with daily routine, problem with mobility, bathing and grooming, feeding, and problem with hygiene) (ii) denial (refusal to accept that burden exists), other things suffer (disruption of family process, suffering from poor health and social isolation), (iv) reciprocity of care (pride in caregiving, caregiving as a necessity and not by choice, and law of karma). ConclusionThis study provides insight into the burden of care of older adults with chronic illness. Caregivers’ commitment to preserving life makes them provide assistance whose performance even run contrary to their own wellbeing. Intervention programme should be designed to support the caregivers thereby improving their wellbeing.

Ergodic Hypothesis of Consciousness

A hypothesis that explains the action principle of consciousness on the base of extremely simple mathematical model of a plane wave is suggested. The doctrine of reincarnation of consciousness in the physical world is indicated as a consequence of the mathematical property of the cyclicity of a complex number. Based on the consideration of the notion of a Vibration the zonal structure of the world nearest to human perception is shown. An interpretation of the attraction and repulsion forces origin, effects of dark matter, dark energy, levitation, teleportation, the law of karma, as well as Heisenberg uncertainty principle in terms of interacting vibrations are given. The work will be interesting to everyone who is looking for the answer to the question: What is the essence of consciousness?.

A Metaphysics for Phenomenal Freedom: An Analysis from Classical Indian and Western Philosophical Perspectives

The metaphysical possibility of agency at the phenomenal level, given the truth of a nomological and binding causal force, has long been a moot point in both Indian and western philosophical traditions. While an underlying implication of fatalistic resignation hangs over the possibility of phenomenal freedom within the ambit of the classical Indian interpretation of the Law of Karma, which forms the basis of the assumption that a fatalistic nexus of vāsanā (cravings for mundane achievements) and the ensuing karma (action-tendencies to reach a mundane goal) circumscribes an agent’s choices, the western thought on the question of the freedom of choice has rather been preoccupied with the putative threat posed by the deterministic law of various nuances, such as theological determinism and logical determinism. A close analysis of the western philosophical debate surrounding free will reveals that the kind of linear causation that determinism supposedly entails is the primary reason for its being conflated with fatalism. The source of all the misgiving about determinism’s free will subduing influence is the oversight that it renders the agent’s rational endeavour a futile exercise in the same way as fatalism does. In this paper, therefore, an attempt has been made to disentangle determinism from fatalism. A key proposal advanced in this paper is that the causative force of the karmic law, admitted by most of the classical schools of Indian philosophy, may prima facie have a circumscriptive effect on agentic rational pursuits and choices. However, an intimate study reveals that this law does not preclude phenomenal freedom, although of a higher echelon. The classical Indian schools of philosophy admitting the undeniable presence of this karmic law allow the possibility of this seemingly inexorable causative force of the law being overridden by a more reason-guided pursuit, adopted by the agent, after an overhaul of his egoistic cravings. The model of agency developed in this paper is based on the claim that it is by way of undergoing self-determination that phenomenal freedom reaches its pinnacle. Drawing on the theories of volition and self advanced by some prominent classical Indian philosophical schools and the classical western philosophical theories of free will in the light of the deterministic threat, an attempt has been made to bring into harmony the rhetoric of both worlds, exploring the possibility whether phenomenal freedom can be salvaged through agentic self-determination and self-development.

Буддийские ценности как возможная экономическая детерминанта развития тувинского общества

В статье актуализируется изучение буддийских ценностей в свете их благотворного влияния на социально-экономическое развитие общества Тувы. Этому способствуют имеющиеся научные исследования успешных экономик мира, обзор которых приводится в работе.После распространения буддизма на Западе в середине XX века древние знания и практики стали доступны для урбанизированного населения развитых стран. Зарубежные исследователи обратили внимание на актуальный их потенциал при ведение финансовой, производственной деятельности. Среди западных экономистов начало разработки этой тематики положил Э. Шумахер (1973). Среди азиатских исследователей важный вклад сделал тайский монах и философ П. Пайотто.В имеющихся исследованиях, связывающих религию и экономическую культуру, буддизм как не поощряет к бедности, и не призывает отказу от материальных благ. Его неверно интерпретировать как аскетичную религию. В буддийских текстах существуют прямые указания, касающиеся способа зарабатывания денег, смысла благосостояния. Современные учителя также дают советы мирянам относительно экономической активности. Хотя в буддизме практикующие стремятся, прежде всего, к духовным целям — освобождению от страданий, достижению состояния Будды, миряне включены в социальную жизнь и Учение учитывает это. В буддизме считается, что богатство не способно принести подлинное счастье. Поэтому для практикующего мирянина достижение высокого материального благосостояния не является жизненной целью.В статье приводятся результаты современных исследований экономистов, психологов нейробиологов, подтверждающих, что эмпирическая корреляция между увеличением доходов и счастьем является незначительно. Приводятся примеры того, как буддийские ценности помогают предпринимателям. Так, в результате веры в закон кармы проявляется большая степень честности при деловом взаимодействии, появляется долгосрочная ориентация на бизнес. Убежденность в непостоянстве помогает принимать рискованные решения, необходимые в предпринимательской деятельности. Актуальность показывают и буддийские практики управления эмоциональными состояниями. Во многих мировых корпорациях (Google, Twitter, Ebay) внедряют программы по практикам осознанности. Это помогает сотрудникам справляться с ежедневным стрессом, усталостью.Все это побуждает обратиться к обществу тувинцев, для которых буддизм является традиционной религией. Сегодня в Туве повышается престиж буддизма, наблюдается живой интерес со стороны молодежи. Формируется сообщество мирян, получивших современное образование и компетентных в области буддизма. Автор делает вывод, что молодое поколение тувинцев в перспективе сможет применить духовные ценности в практической экономической деятельности.

The Invisible Path of Karma in a Himalayan Purificatory Rite

Indic rites of purification aim to negate the law of karma by removing the residues of malignant past actions from their patrons. This principle is exemplified in the Kahika Mela, a rarely studied religious festival of the West Himalayan highlands (Himachal Pradesh, India), wherein a ritual specialist assumes karmic residues from large publics and then sacrificed to their presiding deity. British officials who had ‘discovered’ this purificatory rite at the turn of the twentieth century interpreted it as a variant of the universal ‘scapegoat’ rituals that were then being popularized by James Frazer and found it loosely connected to ancient Tantric practises. The However, observing a recent performance of the ritual significantly complicated this view. This paper proposes a novel reading of the Kahika Mela through the prism of karmic transference. Tracing the path of karmas from participants to ritual specialist and beyond, it delineates the logic behind the rite, revealing that the culminating act of human sacrifice is, in fact, secondary to the mysterious force that impels its acceptance.

Karmic quest: Thai family caregivers promoting a peaceful death for people with AIDS.

This paper reports the constructions of karma by four Thai family caregivers living with a dying person with AIDS in Southern Thailand. These four families form a subset of a larger ethnographic case study exploring the experiences of families living with a relative with AIDS. Serial interviews, observations, and field journal were used as data collection methods with the four families. The findings indicated that the karmic quest is a dominant theme in the narratives of these families caring for their loved ones dying with AIDS. The 'calm and peaceful' death that is described in the palliative care literature equated with their desire for the Buddhist philosophy of a harmonious death. The families used the law of karma and reincarnation as their main frame of reference and mobilised their religious resources to create meaning and purpose. Karmic healing activities were aimed at ending suffering, promoting a peaceful and calm death and ensuring a better life in the next one. The findings are important for the development of palliative nursing practice in Thailand by acknowledging religious and cultural values to promote peaceful death.

Karmic Critiques of Abortion and Infanticide

Employing both hedonistic and preference utilitarianism, Peter Singer argues for abortion and infanticide. This essay challenges his arguments from the perspective of karma. There is suggestive evidence for karma. Singer's claim that fetuses and newborn infants are not persons is false if they have souls. Abortion and infanticide, if performed on human embryos with souls, fetuses with souls, and infants with souls, temporarily deprive them and possibly potential mothers of their opportunities to decrease their negative karma and increase their positive one. Unlike Singer's claim, morality should not rest on our actual preferences for the following reasons: First, morality based on our actual preferences would take us away from decreasing our negative karma and developing spiritually. Second, preference is not a stable ground for morality. Singer argues that it is morally acceptable to kill a fetus or newborn infant and replace him with another. The lives of fetuses and newborn infants are replaceable from the perspective of reincarnation. However, abortion and infanticide can significantly delay a soul's opportunity to decrease its negative karma. And they themselves produce negative karma for those who kill. Therefore, if the law of karma exists, abortion and infanticide are morally undesirable.

Religious coping in life difficulties: a case study of Taiwanese folk religion female believers

The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) the process of religious coping for female believers of Taiwanese folk religion; (2) religious coping resources and activities; and (3) mental health outcomes of religious coping. The process of religious coping found in this study is basically in line with the model proposed by Koenig et al. This study identifies religious coping sources that include belief in law of Karma, the power of gods, and mysterious power of shaman's ritual. This study also supports previous findings that religion beliefs and practices can change one's cognitive appraisal of negative event, and directly or indirectly reduce painful feelings, promote positive emotions and the development of human virtues.