"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. ... Liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth is the spiritual goal of all Hindus. ... There is a prevailing ideology of the cycle of birth/rebirth as a means of recycling souls until they e...

• Word Count: 2794
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Karma is a natural, impersonal law of moral cause and effect; only those who have attained nirvana, or liberation from rebirth, can transcend karma... (4) Part of the Buddha's understanding of existence was his acceptance of the ideas of karma and rebirth. The traditional Indian view, which the Buddha endorsed, was that people are trapped in an endless cycle of birth and rebirth, known as samsara. There is a subtle difference between rebirth and reincarnation as defined in Hinduism. ... Rebirth is another essential doctrine in Buddhism and it goes hand in hand with karma. ...

• Word Count: 2520
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

This idea of Karma gives rise to another principle of Buddhism, called rebirth and which is also inspired from Hinduism. In Hinduism, rebirth implicates the existence of a permanent soul. ... While in Buddhism, the doctrine of rebirth is still based on Karma, it is believed that there is no such thing as a transmigrating entity or permanent soul. ...

• Word Count: 2720
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Two of the most prominent world religions today have their origins in the Indian subcontinent of Asia. Both the Hindu and Buddhist religions can trace their creation back to this vast area. Hindu was the predecessor to Buddhism, as the latter was created as an offshoot of the central religion. Th...

• Word Count: 3273
• Approx Pages: 13

Through devotion and correct behaviour, it is possible to ascend through the orders of reincarnation, achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth, and be united with the Supreme Being. ...

• Word Count: 4019
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School

Life is determined by the laws of karma, according to which rebirth is dependent on moral behavior in a previous phase of existence. ... The goal of existence is liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death and entrance into the indescribable state of what in Hindu texts is called moksha (liberation). ...

• Word Count: 2765
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Buddhists believe that a person's rebirth is determined partly by his or her state of mind before death, so preparation for death is important and hope for a favourable rebirth is a central concern. ...

• Word Count: 3001
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography

STUDIES OF RELIGION 1 PRELIMINARY COURSE ASSESSMENT TASK THE NATURE OF RELIGION Human beings are naturally curious. Consequently, universal questions concerning the origin of man and his purpose on this earth are raised, such as the questions of life, death, evil and suffering (Lovat, McGrath, Fletcher and Follers, 2000). Questions such as these have plagued mankind for centuries, perhaps since the very beginnings of the human race. The need for meaning in life eventually led to religion, a response to the human search for ultimate meaning and purpose (Lovat, et al., 2000). ...

• Word Count: 2793
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Parallels between Eastern and Western Philosophy Historically, philosophical ideas have been essentially divided between the east and west. Despite the geographic separation, eastern and western thought pertaining to the human condition and the nature of the cosmos share a common thread. Certain as...

• Word Count: 2533
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

Adam Ruppel Professor Stover Religion and the Modern World 4 December 2014 The After Life The afterlife and how one gets there is as diverse as the different religions explored in this research. In some form or fashion, on average, the religions explored for the purposes of this assignment, believe that something occurs after death. This is represented by the text, sacred text and word of mouth passed down from generation to generation. In Western, Eastern and Pagan religions, the concept of how to achieve a good or a bad existence after death have remained static for centuries. For examp...

• Word Count: 4144
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School