Hinduism & Budhism Summaries

11 Pages 2794 Words

nd caste system, a tendency towards fasting and vowing, and believe in life goals and pursuits that move toward the goal of ultimate release (moksha) (Earhart, p. 725). “The flow of existences is known in classical Hinduism as transmigration (samsara), a dilemma to be solved by release (moksha) from bondage to this world brought about by the consequences of action (karma).” (Earhart, p. 724).

“Samsara and karma are basic facts of the human condition, and moksha [liberation from death/rebirth cycle] the ultimate aim of the spiritual life” (Earhart, p. 724). The cycle of birth/rebirth is called samsara. It is karma that keeps man chained to the cycle of rebirth because regardless of whether it was good or bad it is a sign that the journey is not completed and returning to Earth is necessary. Only by renouncing, detaching, and sacrificing can one hope to avoid the binding (to samsara) effect of karma. Karma is the cosmic response to our mental, physical, and spiritual processes of action and reaction (week 3 conference, Dr. Khiliji). K...