Karma and rebirth are words used by many but properly understood by few. In his accessible introduction, Jinananda explains that although these are concepts presumed to be principally from the East they have in fact been part of the life-view of societies all over the world, from the Ancient Greeks and Gnostics to African and Aboriginal tribal communities. However, it is the cultures of India, Tibet and China that colour the contemporary understanding of karma and rebirth, and Jinanada looks at these concepts principally through the Buddhist tradition, showing that although 'actions have consequences' it is erroneous to believe that all misfortune stems from a past cause, in this or previous lifetimes.