What is Karma Made Of? Exploring Philosophical and Religious Concepts

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

The word karma comes from the Sanskrit root kri, meaning 'to do' or 'action'. However, the philosophical and religious interpretations of exactly what is karma made of vary significantly across different traditions, from a physical substance to an energetic force based on intent.

Quick Summary

The composition of karma is viewed differently across major Indian religions. While Jainism sees karma as a fine, physical matter, Hinduism and Buddhism interpret it as a metaphysical principle of cause and effect, driven by intentions and actions. The nature of karma fundamentally shapes one's experiences and future lives, defining their spiritual path.

Key Points

Material vs. Metaphysical: The composition of karma fundamentally divides into two categories, with Jainism defining it as physical matter and other traditions viewing it as a metaphysical principle of intention and causality.
Jainism's Physical Karma: In Jainism, karma is a subtle form of matter (pudgala) that attaches to the soul (jiva) through activity, physically obscuring its pure qualities.
Hinduism's Metaphysical Karma: Hinduism views karma as an ethical law of cause and effect, where intentions and actions create metaphysical residues (samskaras) that influence future lives.
Buddhism's Intentional Karma: In Buddhism, karma is specifically defined as intentional action (cetanā), a volitional impulse of the mind that drives thoughts, words, and deeds.
Intention is Universal: Despite differences in composition, all three traditions place significant emphasis on the role of intention in generating karma, whether it influences the binding of physical particles or the creation of mental habits.
Personal Responsibility: The varied views on karma's composition all reinforce the concept of personal responsibility for one's actions, as they are the ultimate creators of their own destiny within the karmic cycle.

The Core Meaning: Action and Its Consequences

The most fundamental understanding of karma comes from its Sanskrit origin: karman, meaning "action," "work," or "deed". While the modern, Western interpretation often simplifies it to a cosmic system of reward and punishment, its true nature is far more complex and is defined differently by each tradition that follows it. The key philosophical divide centers on whether karma is a tangible, material substance or an intangible, energetic, and psychological process.

The Jain View: Karma as a Physical Substance

Among the various Indian traditions, Jainism offers the most literal and detailed explanation of karma's composition. According to Jain philosophy, karma is not a metaphysical concept but a highly subtle, physical substance called pudgala. These microscopic karmic particles are present everywhere in the universe and are attracted to the soul (jiva) through the activities of the mind, speech, and body. The accumulation and shedding of these particles determine a soul's destiny. Jain texts describe two main types of karma: Dravya Karma (material particles) and Bhava Karma (internal mental states). The aim is to shed karma through asceticism to achieve liberation (moksha).

The Hindu View: Karma as a Metaphysical Principle

In Hinduism, karma is understood as a natural law of cause and effect. It is a principle that operates based on ethical intent and action, with good deeds leading to positive outcomes (punya) and bad deeds to negative ones (paap). Karma is composed of the residual impressions (samskaras) left on consciousness by actions, shaping character and future experiences. Hinduism categorizes karma into Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (ripe for the present life), and Kriyamana/Agami (being created in the present). The goal is selfless action (karma yoga) to transcend the karmic cycle.

The Buddhist View: Karma as Volitional Action

Buddhism defines karma (kamma) as intentional, volitional action (cetanā). It is not a physical substance but a mental factor driving thoughts, speech, and deeds. The consequences (karmaphala) shape life and future rebirths. Intention is central, making karma a dynamic system where present actions influence the maturation of past karma. Mindfulness and wisdom help counteract negative tendencies and move towards liberation (nirvana).

Comparison of Karma's Composition


Aspect	Jainism	Hinduism	Buddhism
Nature	Subtle, physical matter (pudgala)	Metaphysical principle of cause and effect	Intention or volitional action (cetanā)
Mechanism	Karmic particles adhere to the soul (jiva) based on mental, verbal, and physical activity.	Residual impressions (samskaras) from intent and deeds influence the soul's path.	Compulsive mental urges drive thoughts, speech, and body.
Substance	Tangible, though imperceptible, particles	Intangible, energetic, and psychological residue	Non-material, a mental factor
Influence	Determines the state and physical characteristics of the embodied soul.	Influences a person's habits, character, and future circumstances.	Shapes one's experience and rebirth through habitual patterns.

Conclusion: No Single Answer to What Karma Is Made Of

The question of what is karma made of does not have one simple answer, as the concept is interpreted through different metaphysical lenses. While Jainism presents a material, particulate view that is perhaps the easiest to visualize, Hinduism and Buddhism offer more abstract, intentional, and energetic explanations. All, however, agree on the central principle of ethical causality: actions and intentions have consequences that shape one's present and future existence. This philosophical diversity highlights the complexity and richness of the concept of karma, moving beyond a simple, one-size-fits-all definition toward a deeper understanding of intention and ethical responsibility.

Ultimately, regardless of whether karma is seen as a physical dust or a mental impulse, its core message remains constant: an individual's conscious choices and behavior are the primary forces shaping their destiny.

For more information on the subtle distinctions between Indian philosophies regarding karma, an excellent resource can be found on Wikipedia's comprehensive entry on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

This depends entirely on the tradition. Jainism explicitly describes karma as a fine, physical matter, whereas Hinduism and Buddhism see it as an abstract principle of cause and effect driven by intentional action.

No, even in traditions that define karma as a physical substance, such as Jainism, it is described as being a subtle, microscopic matter that is not perceptible to the human senses.

Dravya Karma is the actual, subtle physical matter that binds to the soul. Bhava Karma is the internal mental state of attachment and aversion that causes Dravya Karma to be attracted and bound to the soul.

Yes, across traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, intention is a critical factor in the creation of karma. In Buddhism, karma is the volitional intention itself, while in Hinduism, intent is a primary element in determining the quality of an action.

The accumulated balance of positive and negative karma influences the conditions of one's rebirth. This can affect a wide range of factors, from the family one is born into to their physical characteristics and mental tendencies.

Yes. Practices such as selfless action (karma yoga), meditation, living a virtuous life, and certain austerities can help mitigate or shed karma. While some past karma (like prarabdha in Hinduism) may need to be experienced, present actions can positively influence one's karmic trajectory.

No, karma is not fate. It emphasizes personal action and responsibility. Unlike destiny, which is unchangeable, karma can be influenced by one's free will and conscious choices. The circumstances of your life may be set by past karma, but your reaction to them creates your new karma.