Another thought on this: there is quite a similarity between old Judaism and Buddhism here. I once listened to the Fonz (Henry Winkler) talk about his understanding of Judaism and it's near identical to what you've described here. Religious syncretism? Or is there something more going on.
I should note that that was my interpretation of what I thought Winkler was saying: that there is some kind of universal judge weighing every ounce of action here! As a Gnostic, I'm definitely skeptical of this religious position, but true....It could be.