Karma means action.

The word Karma is Sanskrit and its Pali counterpart is Kamma. (Compare dharma and dhamma in Sanskrit and Pali respectively.) It is derived from the root Kar meaning to do or to perform.

According to the Buddhist doctrine of Karma, not all actions are called Karma, only those that are performed with an intention, or volitionally, are called Karma. Says the Buddha: Monks, I call volition Karma.

Karma can be performed through three "doors" or channels:
1.Kaya-kamma——Bodily action
2.Vaci-kamma——Verbal action
3.Mano-Kamma——Mental action

An action is either good or bad; a good action is called Kusala-kamma and a bad one, Akusala-kamma. The Pali word kusala is also translated as wholesome, skillful, meritorious, etc., and akusala means just the opposite.

Thus Kusala-kamma means actions that are good, wholesome, skillful, and meritorious and Akusala-kamma means those that are bad, evil, unwholesome, unskillful, and demeritorious. We should always understand well the distinction between the two.

In general, we may say that such good actions as giving a helping hand to mother or father at home, being nice to them, being generous, diligent, truthful, etc, are Kusala-kamma. Such actions as selfishness, rudeness, laziness, disobedience to parents, ungrateful gesture, cruelty, stealing, lying, etc, are Akusala-kamma. But the Buddha has also classified these good and bad actions according to the three "doors" through which they are performed. They are as follows:

10 Wholesome Actions

3 Bodily Actions
1. Abstention from killing (or injury)
2. Abstention from stealing or cheating
3. Abstention from misconduct with regards to persons or things dear to others (or sexual misconduct)

4 Verbal Actions
1. Abstention from false speech
2. Abstention from slandering
3. Abstention from harsh speech
4. Abstention from frivolous speech

3 Mental Actions
1. Non-covetousness
2. Good will or kindness
3. Right view or understanding

10 Unwholesome Actions
3 Bodily Actions
1. Killing (or injuring oneself or others)
2. Stealing or cheating
3. Misconduct with regards to persons or things dear to others (or sexual misconduct, such as adultery, etc.)

4 Verbal Actions
1. False speech
2. Slandering or malicious speech
3. Harsh speech
4. Frivolous speech (one that is useless)

3 Mental Actions
1. Covetousness or avarice
2. Ill-will or anger
3. Wrong view or understanding

It should be understood that wholesome actions as listed above are not merely negative; they also apply in a positive way. For example, refraining from stealing does not only imply that one should avoid such an act, but it also signifies such positive qualities as respect for the rights of property of other people, right livelihood, being hardworking, etc.

An action, good or bad, proeduces a result or results. Sometimes the consequences are immediate and explicit; Sometimes they are not. But it is always true that good actions produce good results and bad actions bring about the bad ones. We should, therefore, try to do good and avoid evil.