Nature of human life - EduqasThe cycle of life

Hindu teaching says that all life is part of a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth called samsara. Hindus receive guidance on how to live good lives from religious teachers, sacred writings, the community and the traditions of Hindu life.

Karma

When a person dies, Hindus believe that their atman will be reincarnated into a different body depending on their karma during the life they have just finished. A person gains good karma for doing good things in life. Examples include helping others, living harmlessly, practising compassion and devotion to gods and goddesses, and following one’s dharma.

Reincarnation

Hindus believe the physical, material body is not the real ‘self’ any more than the clothes that are worn are the real ‘self’. Therefore, when atman is born again in another body, it is like putting on new clothes: As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the soul casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one” (Bhagavad Gita 2.22).

Moksha

A Hindu’s ultimate goal in life is to escape the cycle of reincarnation and to reach moksha. Moksha means liberation (or freedom) from samsara. This can only happen after many successive reincarnations. Hindus believe that achieving moksha means liberation from the limits of the body, gaining ultimate knowledge of the truth, and being united, blissfully, with Brahman.

• The soul (atman) is born into a particular place in society, with duties to fulfil (dharma).
• Good or bad karma attaches to the soul, depending on a person’s choices.
• At death, the soul is released from the body.
• After death, the soul is reincarnated. This reincarnation is considered good or bad, depending on karma.
• Moksha is the ultimate goal for Hindus. They escape from being born again and enter blissful union with Brahman.