Samsara

Samsara (Sanskrit: संसार, also spelled saṃsāra), is a term that means "wandering" or "world", with the connotation of cyclic, circuitous change. It also refers to the theory of rebirth and "cyclicality of all life, matter, existence", a fundamental assumption of all Indian religions. Samsara is sometimes referred to with terms or phrases such as transmigration, karmic cycle, reincarnation, and "cycle of aimless drifting, wandering or mundane existence".

Etymology and terminology

The word samsara is from the Sanskrit saṃsṛ, which means "going around, wandering", "world" or "cyclic change". It is a fundamental concept in all Indian religions, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, all of which emphasize the cyclic nature of life.

Concept

Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This cycle is considered to be dukkha, unsatisfactory and painful. The cycle stops only if liberation is achieved by insight and the extinguishing of desire. Rebirth is one of the foundational doctrines of Buddhism, along with Karma, nirvana and moksha.

In Hinduism

In Hinduism, the concept of samsara is closely associated with the belief in reincarnation (samsara) and karma, the law of moral cause-and-effect. The ultimate goal of life, according to Hinduism, is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of samsara.

In Buddhism

In Buddhism, samsara is the suffering-laden cycle of life, death, and rebirth, without beginning or end. It is also the concept of rebirth and "cyclicality of all life, matter, existence". The concept of samsara in Buddhism, like Hinduism, is intertwined with the belief in karma.

In Jainism

In Jainism, samsara is the worldly life characterized by continuous rebirths and reincarnations in various realms of existence. The spiritual goal of a Jain is to stop this repeated cycle of births and deaths, and achieve liberation.

In Sikhism

In Sikhism, the concept of samsara is similar to the Hindu belief. It is viewed as a cycle of birth and death that keeps the soul bound to the physical world. The goal in Sikhism is to break this cycle and merge with the eternal, divine reality.

See also

• Karma
• Reincarnation
• Moksha
• Nirvana

External links

• Samsara - Indian religion | Britannica

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