Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Vipaka Mean?
Vipaka is a Sanskrit word meaning “ripe” or “mature.” In the context of Buddhism, it refers to the result – maturation or ripening – of intentional action (karma). Kamma-vipaka (also spelled karma-vipaka) is a key moral law in Buddhism.
In the traditional Indian medical system of Ayurveda, vipaka is the result of digestion on dravya (a substance used for medical purposes, such as herbs, drugs or food) and is key to balancing the body's bio-energy centers, thereby promoting healing.
Yogapedia Explains Vipaka
In Buddhism, the law of kamma-vipaka refers to any action that has a moral context. Good consequences “ripen” as a result of morally good actions, whereas bad consequences ripen from morally bad actions. The motivation of the action determines whether it is morally good or bad.
In Ayurveda, vipaka determines how the dravya affects the doshas, the three bio-energy centers of the body that are believed to control physical, mental and emotional health. A dosha or combination of two doshas tend to dominate in each person's body. By balancing the doshas, healing is achieved. Depending on the results of metabolism, vipaka promotes one of the doshas – vata, pitta or kapha – to achieve balance. If vata dosha is weak, for example, the Ayurveda practitioner may choose an herb or drug that, when digested, boosts vata.
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.