Discussion: Your Karma and Dharma

Whether or not you believe in the Hindu tradition of karma and dharma, these concepts can be useful and meaningful to us in our daily lives. The saying “What goes around, comes around” may be most familiar to you and explains how actions and decisions you make can affect what occurs in the future. In a work environment, people are challenged to make ethical decisions in the face of social, financial, or leadership pressures. Those involved in recent headline-grabbing financial scandals, such as Enron, obviously made poor ethical decisions. Some may interpret this as negative dharma that in turn gave these corporate executives negative karma resulting in punishment both in this life and the next. In this Discussion, share your experience with these concepts, either in the workplace, where conflict and ethical decision-making can sometimes be challenged, or in another situation.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Required Resources:

  Review pages 171–198 of the course text, Gods in the Global Village.
  Review the article, “Karma and Dharma: New Links in an Old Chain.”
  Watch the video of Pope Francis’s 2015 speech at the joint session of the U.S. Congress, paying particular attention to the Pope’s messages about social responsibility and the role of legislatures in supporting the most vulnerable members of society.

• Consider personal examples of how the concepts of karma and dharma have been evident in your life.
• Reflect on how considering these concepts when faced with an ethical challenge could help reduce conflict or produce a more socially aware outcome.

By Day 3

Post a brief paragraph describing a personal experience with the concepts of karma and dharma. In a second paragraph, explain how understanding and using the concepts of karma and dharma can inspire more social responsibility and/or reduce conflict. Support your assertions by making at least 2 references, in proper APA format, to your course readings.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 5

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.