Difference between Karma and Destiny

Key Difference: Karma is a concept central to Hinduism. It describes that the actions performed in the past effects the state in the present, and similarly the actions performed in the present will affect the future state. Destiny is related to future events which are considered to be inevitable and unalterable. The notion of karma considers that the actions of a person in his past shapes the destiny of that person.

Karma is one of the basic concepts found in the philosophies related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Karma is a Sanskrit word which means work or action. It states that actions are of great importance. The current state of a person is due to his past deeds in past incarnations and whatever he does now will definitely affect his state in future incarnations.

It is often believed that this account of deeds is kept by the supreme power who decides the outcome of actions.

The emotion of karma can be easily found in phrases like “You reap what you sow” and “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. It is often described as a cosmic law affecting everyone and everywhere irrespective of the time frame. The thought of karma helps in regulating actions as one tries to do good things in order to get good rewards.

Destiny is about the future events which are considered to be inevitable. The word destiny has been derived from Latin destinata, feminine past participle of destinare "make firm, establish". It is associated with the likely outcome. Karma and destiny can now be described. According to the principle of karma, the actions of a person are the creator of his own destiny.

Thus, in this context karma is the deciding factor of destiny. There are some other schools of thoughts related to destiny. Some believe that it is the decisions and choices made by one which are responsible for the destiny. Thus, if proper decisions and choices are made at right time, than nothing is impossible. People who believe in this thought give importance to karma, but in another context. They say it is not about your past deeds but rather your decisions and choices made in the present life. Therefore, it is very difficult to explain or understand that what really constitutes or frames one’s destiny.

Comparison between Karma and Destiny:

	Karma	Destiny
Origin	The word karma is a sanskrit word meaning action, work, or ritual.	The word destiny has been derived from Latin destinata, feminine past participle of destinare "make firm, establish".
Definition	The current state of a person is due to his past deeds in past incarnations and whatever he does now will definitely affect his state in future incarnations.	Destiny is about the future events which are considered to be inevitable.
Types	According to Hindu scriptures – Sanchita is the accumulated karma Prarabdha is about the fruit bearing karma which has ripened Kriyamana is about everything which we generate or produce in the present life	According to Wang Chon there are three types of destiny – Destiny which has as a result of their natural characteristics Destiny one has as a result of effort Destiny one receives incidentally
Relationship with each other	Believers of karma believe that our own actions are responsible for our destiny	There are different schools of thoughts – Some believe that karma may be deciding factor of destiny. Some believe that our destiny depends upon our current choices and decisions. Some other beliefs are also present