Proverb / Kotowaza
因果応報
Good deeds bring good results, and bad deeds bring bad results.
Cause and effect, reward and retribution
Quick Answer
Good deeds bring good results, and bad deeds bring bad results.
- Literal Image
- Cause and effect, reward and retribution
- How to Use It
- Used to explain how a person's current situation—whether fortunate or unfortunate—is the result of their own prior behavior.
Meaning
A Buddhist concept stating that every action has a corresponding consequence. While it originally refers to both positive and negative outcomes, modern usage emphasizes receiving negative consequences for past misdeeds. It suggests that current circumstances are the result of behavior in the past or previous lives.
Literal Image
Cause and effect, reward and retribution
How to Use It
Used to explain how a person's current situation—whether fortunate or unfortunate—is the result of their own prior behavior.
Tone
Moralizing or reflective; can be used as a warning or to acknowledge a deserved outcome.
Examples
昔、あれだけ他人を陥れてきたのだから、今になって自分が苦しむのは因果応報だ。
He caused others so much suffering in the past, so it is just retribution that he is suffering now.
長年、陰で努力を続けてきた彼が成功したのは、まさに因果応報と言えるだろう。
The success of someone who has continued to make unseen efforts for many years can truly be called a just reward.
人に親切にしてきたおかげで、困ったときに多くの人に助けてもらえた。これも一種の因果応報かもしれない。
Thanks to being kind to people, I was helped by many when I was in trouble. This might also be a form of cause and effect.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual characters are learned earlier, the combination is a formal Buddhist compound with specific philosophical nuances.
因果
いんが / inga
cause and effect
応報
おうほう / oho
retribution; reward according to deeds
報い
むくい / mukui
reward; punishment; consequence
Usage Profile
Usage note: In modern conversation, It can be used to point out negative consequences for bad behavior.
Misread Risk
Do not assume it only applies to bad things; technically it covers positive rewards for good deeds, though the negative sense is prominent today.
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Origin
This expression is a fundamental teaching of Buddhism. It states that every action (cause) has a corresponding result (effect), and one inevitably receives the reward or punishment (retribution). It is closely linked to the concept of reincarnation, where actions in the present life influence one's circumstances in the next.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.