A Study of Belief in Karma and Its Consequences of Undergraduates in the Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

This research was aimed at (1) studying karma and its consequences in Buddhism and (2) analysing belief in karma and its consequences relating to the belief of cycle of life in the views of undergraduates. Data were obtained through documentary research, a questionnaire and interviews.

This research focuses on 3 universities as purposive sampling which includes 400 questionnaires and 40 interviews as follows:

Questionnaires  : Prince of  Songkla University 210 copies,Yala Rajabhat University 160 copies,

     Princess of Narathiwas  University 30 copies

Interviews  : Prince of Songkla university 22 copies,Yala Rajabhat University13 copies, Princess of  Narathiwas     

      university 5 copies.

 The findings indicated the following:

1. Both male and female undergraduates had a high level of understanding of karma in Buddhism.
2. Both male and female undergraduates believed, yet doubted, in karma and its consequences.

The undergraduate participants had basic understanding of karma definition and its consequences that “as ye sow, so shall ye reap”. Karma can be expressed physically, verbally, and mentally, empirically reflecting basic belief in the virtues and evils which was cultivated by their families and influenced by their media consumption.  

In addition, the participants were aware that virtue and evil karmas were primarily based on intentions. Virtue deeds or wholesome actions and evil deeds or unwholesome actions had brought the past effect to present and potentially to future consequences. They also believed in going to the Paradise and the Hell depending on their good deeds and bad deeds, respectively, according to the belief in Buddhism.