I prefer the Pāli word, kamma, rather than the more familiar Sanskrit word karma, a word that is both well known in English & very badly understood. Since I explain the meaning in terms of Gotama’s teachings under the kamma spelling, I will describe the most common mistaken understandings here. The familiar word karma is most often thought to mean simply “fate” or cosmic justice, administered by forces unknown. In the rigidly stratified culture of Gotama’s era, it meant doing what was considered correct for someone from one’s social station (determined by sex, parent’s station, & other arbitrary factors). It served to reinforce a rigid social hierarchy. This is not what Gotama meant, for which, see kamma.