"Good conduct, good Karma"

Right a wrong, and in turn good will befall on you. Karma, right?

Not entirely.

"Human beings are meaning-making machines," Jeannette Ludwig, associate professor of romance languages and literatures, said. "We look for our actions to mean something. We want to have a sense that the universe is fundamentally good, not out to get us, and we want to contribute to the goodness."

The idea of Karma originated from aspects of Buddhism and is present in religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The mystery and intricacy of Karma continues to peak the attention of a wide spectrum of audiences.

"It's a belief that we are actively connected to a cosmic program," Phillips Stevens Jr., associate professor of anthropology, said. "It's the belief that everything has a reason for happening."

It is also the idea that one gets back what one gives in life. This deceptively neat and simple explanation is one of the reasons why the belief of Karma is so popular.

"Karma can have a slick, funny, superficial meaning, but it's more serious too," Ludwig said. "Anyone can open the door for someone, but sometimes it takes more than that."

Even extreme acts of dedication, such as donating bone marrow instead of money, or running a marathon do not guarantee instantaneous benefits.

"Many things in life take a long time," Ludwig said. "In Hindu, events in the last life are tied to events in the next life. It's a way of keeping people in their place."

Now more than ever, these highly valued and sacred Karma principles are being introduced to the American public and media, especially in television shows such as "My Name Is Earl." Although in the media Karma is frequently cast in a lighter perspective, Ludwig argues good still comes from these brief mentions of the topic.

" 'Earl' can be as cute as it wants to be, but it touches on the meaning of life," she said. "Who runs Karma? There's more to it than getting your hundred thousand dollars."

Ludwig added that although Karma's explanation of the meaning of life encompasses codes of conduct, the ideas of good and bad are primarily based on an individual's perception of them.

"Karma means action and result of an action," Ludwig said. "When you take action, you set events in motion. Good or bad depends on your perspective, your situation at that moment."

Ludwig also rejects theories of Karma as a source of ultimate and binding fate with zero human control.

"To think that Karma is fate or destiny is silly," she said. "You can live in a dump, but you can try to keep it clean."

Ludwig added when coincidences occur, Karma may or may not be in play.

"Coincidence can happen," said Ludwig. "It's meaningful when it's good, it's cool. Synchronicity is when what is destined to be comes together, a causal happenstance, how we feel about it."

Although Karma has many believers and supporters, preconceived ideas play a large role in shaping personal beliefs.

"I believe in it somewhat," Julianne Morris, a graduate student studying physical therapy, said. "I've always thought of it as what comes around goes around, but in a more negative way."

Others hold steadfast to the idea of having control over their lives, and reject the idea of Karma or fate interfering in them.

"You could believe in it," Michael Huefner, a junior finance major, said. "But there would not be anything behind your belief for something to be causing you to be regarded or punished as a result of behavior. We set our own path as a result of our actions; we're in charge of our own lives."

Others take a more neutral stance on the topic.

"I accept coincidence," Stevens said. "As anthropologists, we're interested in a cosmic concept, but we do not debunk, we do not verify."

While Karma may instill values of graciousness and courtesy into its followers, one does not have to believe in Karma to be a decent human being.

"You don't have to be Hindu or Buddhist to believe in Karma, you have an effect," Ludwig said. "Positive thinking is good, and if you do nothing, nothing will happen. Reap what you sow."