Karma vs. Revenge — What's the Difference?

Karma (; Sanskrit: कर्म, IPA: [ˈkɐɽmɐ] (listen); Pali: kamma) means action, work, or deed. The term also refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called the principle of karma, wherein intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect): good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and happier rebirths, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and bad rebirths.The philosophy of karma is closely associated with the idea of rebirth in many schools of Indian religions (particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism), as well as Taoism.

Revenge is defined as the act of committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does...

(in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.

To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).

The totality of a person's actions and conduct during successive incarnations, regarded as causally influencing that person's destiny.

(Archaic) To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.

The law or principle through which such influence is believed to operate.

The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation

Fate or destiny resulting from one's previous actions

A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness

(Informal) A distinctive aura, atmosphere, or feeling

An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat

The sum total of a person's actions, which determine the person's next incarnation in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.

Something done in retaliation, especially a defeat of a rival who has been victorious.

A force or law of nature which causes one to reap what one sows; destiny; fate.

Any form of personal, retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.

(uncommon) A distinctive feeling, aura, or atmosphere.

A win by a previous loser.

(internet) A score assigned to a user or post on some discussion forums, indicating popularity or perceived value.

(transitive) To take revenge for (a particular harmful action) or on behalf of (its victim); to avenge.

One's acts considered as fixing one's lot in the future existence.

To take one's revenge (on or upon someone).

The doctrine of fate as the inflexible result of cause and effect, especially the principle by which a person is rewarded or punished in a subsequent incarnation for deeds in the previous incarnation; the theory of inevitable consequence.

To take vengeance; to revenge itself.

One's destiny; fate.

To inflict harm in return for, as an injury, insult, etc.; to exact satisfaction for, under a sense of injury; to avenge; - followed either by the wrong received, or by the person or thing wronged, as the object, or by the reciprocal pronoun as direct object, and a preposition before the wrong done or the wrongdoer.

The supposed non-physical emanations that a person gives off, which may affect other people; vibrations.

To inflict injury for, in a spiteful, wrong, or malignant spirit; to wreak vengeance for maliciously.

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

To take vengeance; - with

The act of revenging; vengeance; retaliation; a returning of evil for evil.

The disposition to revenge; a malignant wishing of evil to one who has done us an injury.

Action taken in return for an injury or offense

Take revenge for a perceived wrong;