ACI 5: “How Karma Works”
Level One of Higher Knowledge (Abhidharma)
All Buddhist practices are founded on the laws of karma. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately understand how karma operates to achieve success on any Buddhist path. This course is based on the foundational text “Treasury of Higher Knowledge” (Abhidharmakosha) by Vasubandhu (350 CE) and commentaries by the First Dalai Lama.
If karma shapes our world and ourselves, we must understand precisely how it functions to change both the world and ourselves. This is the focus of ACI 5. Whether we come from a culture that never believed in karma or one that embraced it—though possibly with misunderstandings—this course provides an excellent summary of the classical teachings on how karma operates.
This course incorporates the third major topic, “Clear Thinking,” as it aims to establish proof of past and future lives. Additionally, it explores topics such as levels of reality, the definition of valid perception, evidence of omniscience, and the relationship between karma and rebirth.
The traditional primary source on karma is “Treasury of Higher Knowledge” by Vasubandhu, one of the core texts of the first major topic and the first of the four great schools.
This course examines this treasure through the commentary “Light on the Path to Freedom” by Gyalwa Gendun Drupa (1391–1474), a key explanatory text on Vasubandhu’s work. Gyalwa Gendun Drupa was a direct student of Je Tsongkhapa, and their first meeting is depicted in traditional art. This course also introduces how karma and emptiness work together, using selected passages from “The Middle Way” literature.
Topics Covered:
- Overview of “Treasury of Higher Knowledge”
- Definition and nature of karma
- Good, bad, and neutral karma
- Karma of body, speech, and mind
- Defining virtue and non-virtue
- Black and white actions
- Projecting and completing karma
- Karma sequences
- How karma is transferred
- How karma operates through emptiness
- The paths of karma
- The five immediate crimes
- Empowering karmic results
- Purifying karma
Steps for Completing the Course:
- Listen to the Lecture
Select a quiet time free from distractions to focus entirely on the teachings.
- Read the Lecture Notes
Review notes prepared by students for key concepts and terminology.
- Review the Reading Materials
Study the sacred texts and commentaries assigned for each lesson.
- Complete the Homework
Use lecture notes and reading materials to answer all questions. Avoid referencing the answer key while preparing your responses.
- Check Your Homework
Compare your answers with the key. Do not revise your work after reviewing the answers.
- Perform Required Meditations
Complete at least two analytical meditations per lesson on separate days. Only one meditation per day counts toward the requirement.
- Learn Memorization Assignments
Memorize specific passages or concepts outlined in the homework.
- Take the Quiz
Complete the quiz without using notes or materials after fulfilling all lesson requirements.
- Move to the Next Lesson
Progress only after completing all steps for the current lesson.
- Prepare for the Final Exam
Listen to the 11th lecture for an overview and study for the exam using recommended materials.
- Write the Final Exam
Complete the exam independently without referencing notes or materials.
- Submit Your Work for Review
Submit all completed assignments for peer review through the designated platform.
Course Author: Geshe Michael Roach
Instructors: Yuliya and Yevhen Belyayev