A Trauma-Informed Approach to Discussing Karma in Buddhism

In recent years there has been a rise of individuals from Western cultures turning to Eastern spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, for mental health support. Given the prevalence of trauma, it would be helpful for these communities to discuss spiritual teachings in a trauma-informed manner. Some teachings, including the teaching of karma, have at times been taught through a lens that stigmatizes trauma survivors. Karma is a complex topic, yet a crucial element of Buddhist ethics and morality. This paper is a preliminary theoretical exploration of how the teaching of karma in Buddhism can be examined in a manner that considers the complexity of trauma. It also discusses how a care provider can turn to the Buddhist teaching of skillful compassion to help them better practice trauma-informed care