The Beginner's Guide to Karma

October 1, 2024
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Levine of the nonprofit Jigme Lingpa Center offer a quick reference and guide to understanding karma and bringing goodness into one's life. In this short nonfiction title, the authors aim to introduce readers to the concept of karma and show how one can use it to improve their lives and make the world a better place. Starting with the origins of the idea, over 2,600 years ago, they include how the Buddha started teaching the concept of karma and how his method may have differed from those of past teachers. Although many readers may understand the idea of good and bad karma, and how one might earn each, the authors expand upon the topic at length. They discuss "heavy" versus "light" karma; how karma is a type of habit that's related to "the ways we view ourselves and our identity" in "the stories we tell ourselves"; the importance of "right speech," and other topics. The book focuses heavily on Buddhist teachings, but the authors do a fair job of also explaining how concepts and practices may be followed within other spiritual or religious beliefs. The book relies heavily on agricultural metaphors, as karma is ultimately a practice of sowing good seeds for a future harvest, but it brings in pop culture references as well, including mentions of the filmsGroundhog Day (1993) andThe Big Lebowski (1998). The book's short chapters allow for a quick read, but readers can also elect to take their time by using the end-of-chapter exercises to focus on inner peace and building good karma. To that end, the authors include useful meditations, examples of virtuous and non-virtuous acts, and visualizations in appendices. A short but detailed introduction that may inspire readers to set out on a karmic journey.

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September 20, 2024

Rinpoche (Vajrayana Buddhism, Jigme Lingpa Center) and Levine (president, Jigme Lingpa Center) are the coauthors of The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners. They've partnered again to offer this slim volume, a primer that introduces readers to the spiritual concept of Karma. Intended to appeal to readers who are not familiar with the subject or who are aware of Karma only from pop culture, their book acknowledges that Karma predates the birth of Buddhism. But the authors correlate Karmic concepts with those of Buddhism and its practitioners. Brief chapters--"What Is Karma," "When Do We Experience the Results of Karma," "What Happens to Your Karma When You Die," and nine others--look at fundamental questions. Exercises to help readers discern the role of Karma in their own lives are included at the end of each chapter. Readers are given advice about how to improve their Karma and practice habits that reduce negative behaviors. Appendices include an easy meditation, a list of 10 virtuous and unvirtuous actions, and a visualization for encouragement. VERDICT Readers seeking an elementary understanding of Karma will benefit from this book.--Gail Eubanks

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