Karma, a word with roots in Buddhism and Hinduism, refers to the idea that actions have consequences, either in this life or the next. While some believe in karma in a spiritual sense, others take it quite literally, imagining a sort of cosmic scoreboard keeping track of all your sins and rewards. Here are some bizarre examples of people being punished for their past lives' misdeeds:
Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, it was believed that the gods would inflict bodily punishment for sins committed in past lives. For example, Phryne, a courtesan accused of impiety, was forced to remove her robe in court, revealing her nakedness to all. Her beauty was supposedly a sign of divine favor, and the judges, impressed, acquitted her.
Medieval Europe
In medieval Europe, one popular belief was in succubi and incubi, demons who would seduce and torment humans in their dreams. Those who had premarital sex or committed other sins were said to be more likely to be visited by these demons. The church even provided remedies, such as holy water and prayer, for those who believed they had been visited.
Japan
In Japan, it was once believed that those who neglected to properly care for their ancestors' graves would be visited by angry spirits, causing sickness and misfortune. The solution? Build a bigger, grander tomb for the ancestors, complete with offerings of food, money, and other gifts. This belief in ancestral spirits is still prevalent in Japan today.
Colonial America
In colonial America, the witch trials of Salem resulted in the execution of 20 people for allegedly practicing witchcraft. While some were likely innocent, others may have genuinely believed in the practice and may have paid for their past lives' sins. Today, the trials are remembered as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the power of belief.
While these examples may seem bizarre and outdated, the concept of karma and its consequences lives on in various forms throughout the world. Whether it's a belief in reincarnation or simply doing good deeds to feel better about oneself, the idea that our actions matter is a powerful one, and one that will likely endure for generations to come.
