The fundamental difference between religion (dharma) and karma is that whilst dharma shows a way for people to live and conduct their lives with purpose, karma refers to the consequences of your actions resulting from the way people live that life.
Religion for many is when they worship a divine being adhering according to the belief and principles set by that faith. Examples of such dictums include not to steal, lie, cheat or commit adultery, to perform penance, or not to cause hurt to others. Through their faith, people obtain peace and strength to face difficult periods in their life. They also have a purpose in life.
The concept of karmas refers to the actions and consequences of their deeds. Some people believe that karmas are sown through one’s actions in this present life - these deeds can be good or bad. Depending on the type of karma you have sown, you will reap the results or suffer the consequences of that karma in your next life. The suffering or happiness encountered in the present life is a direct result of karmas from the past life.
Religion and Karma according to Akram Vignan - Spiritual Science :
Spiritual Science (Akram Vignan) explains how true religion is predicated on the realization of who you really are (the Soul). Once this Self-Realization is attained no karmas will be bound as you “Know and See” as the Soul, the deeds which are performed by your body. Thus, you are detached, and no karmas are sown. This knowledge is the fundamental step towards gaining freedom from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth.
Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan (a fully enlightened Being), clarifies that true religion should be such that it gives permanent release from life’s difficulties and misery. This can only be attained by Self Realization. The principle reason behind people’s suffering is because they have not discovered their true Self. Due to this wrong understanding since the beginning of time, they have become the owner of the body and the ego, and thus experience all types of pain, misery and suffering related to them.
To feel released from worldly bondage and experience freedom from physical pain, mental tensions and misery from external circumstances they need to attain the Knowledge of the Self. After attaining the Self your understanding in any situation and interaction with people will begin to become natural and spontaneous. You will understand ‘Who am I’ and who is experiencing the suffering.
The perception of karmas is also clarified by Parma Pujya Dada Bhagwan. He provides a deeper understanding of the science of karmas and states that those acts are fruits of karma bound in one’s previous life. Thus, whatever you see externally in the current life are all the fruits of one’s inner intents of one’s past life.
Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan had spent countless lives searching for the truth behind ‘Who is God?’, ‘What is the definition of religion?’, ‘Science of karma’, ‘How to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death’ and many more fundamental questions relating to the purpose of a human life. Thus, His knowledge and understanding are comprehensive and from factual experience.
Akram Vignan states:
Religion (dharma) is worldly and Science (Vignan) is real. Science is without controversy; it is with principles that lead to liberation and is automatically effective in itself.
To know more about "Akram Vignan" visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/akram-vignan/
Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.