Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 24, 2026

Akriyavada

Akriyavada is the doctrine, considered heretical by Buddhists, that moral acts do not have any consequences. This belief was taught by many of the Buddha's contemporaries, but since it contradicts belief in karma it was denounced by the Buddha. His own teachings are considered kiriyavada. Akriya means – inactive, without action of any kind.

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Akriyavada is the doctrine, considered heretical by Buddhists, that moral acts do not have any consequences.1 This belief was taught by many of the Buddha's contemporaries, but since it contradicts belief in karma it was denounced by the Buddha. His own teachings are considered kiriyavada. Akriya means – inactive, without action of any kind.2

References

References

  1. A Dictionary of Buddhism. Oxford University Press. 2003. p. 357. ISBN 0-19-860560-9.
  2. V.S.Apte. The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. p. 6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)