Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 7, 2026

Vipāka

Vipāka is a Jain and Buddhist term for the ripening or maturation of karma, or intentional actions. The theory of karmic action and result (kamma-vipāka) is a central belief within the Buddhist tradition.

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Aug 7, 2026
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Vipāka (Sanskrit and Pāli) is a Jain and Buddhist term for the ripening or maturation of karma (Pāli kamma), or intentional actions. The theory of karmic action and result (kamma-vipāka) is a central belief within the Buddhist tradition.

Alternate translations

The term vipaka is translated as:

  • effect (Ven. D. Mahinda Thera1)
  • maturation (Keown, 2000, loc 810–813)
  • ripening (Harvey, 1990, p. 392)
  • result

Within the discourses

The Samyutta Nikaya states:

According to the seed that’s sown,
So is the fruit you reap therefrom,
Doer of good will gather good,
Doer of evil, evil reaps,
Down is the seed and thou shalt taste the fruit thereof.

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Buddhist Points Misunderstood, by Ven. D. Mahinda Thera
  2. Harvey 1990, p. 39-40.
Sources

Sources

  • Harvey, Peter (1990), Introduction to Buddhism, Cambridge University Press
External links