Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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Kamma is a law in itself, and it operates in its own field
without any intervention of an external ruling agency. Inherent
in kamma is the potentiality of producing its due effect. Kamma
is the cause; vipàka is the effect. The cause produces the effect;
the effect explains the cause. The law of cause and effect rules
everywhere.
Though we cannot know the individual kammas in person,
we can classify the kammas into several types as described by
Buddha, and predict when, where and how each type will bear
its result.
A Kicca-kamma Catukka
With respect to function, there are four kinds of kamma:
1 Janaka-kamma
Reproductive kamma which produces mental aggregates
and material aggregates at the moment of conception
as well as throughout the life-time of the individual;
2 Upatthambhaka-kamma
Supportive kamma which supports the janaka-kamma as
well as the effect of the janaka-kamma throughout the
life-time of the individual;
3 Upapãëaka-kamma
Obstructive kamma which weakens, interrupts or retards
the fruition of the janaka kamma;
4 Upaghàtaka-kamma
Destructive kamma which not only cuts off the effect of
the janaka kamma but also destroys the janaka kamma
and produce its own effect. In other words, the person
dies abruptly and is reborn in accordance with the
upaghàtaka-kamma.