One central tenet of Buddhism is the belief in karma: you will rip what you sow (in many previous lives). Thus it’s safe to say almost all Asian believe in a just world. According to this study, this will make the Asian comparatively more dishonest??
There is an another aspect: if you believe in karma, in general it will also affect your behaviors, make you more likely to adjust your actions towards other beings, be less harsh to other people, a bit more moral. How will that make you more dishonest? I would say belief in god’s judgment is also a form of karma. Will that make all Christians more dishonest?
Somehow it’s very hard for me to believe!
Karma isn't as simple as the common beliefs about it.
"Karma" just means action; supposedly, actions sow seeds that have consequences. Those consequences may materialise in this life, or not. Only the most consequential actions plant seeds that endure into the next life.
Karma teachings aren't really Buddhist; the Buddha just taught what was the common belief system in his time. Karma comes from the Vedas.
> How will that make you more dishonest?
I don't think belief in karma makes you less harsh to others. I think it leads to a sort of tokenism: "I've done my kind act for today". And I think it leads to a sort of devil-take-the-hindmost attitude to people who are suffering: they are "working out their karma", i.e. their suffering is actually good for them.
