Hinduism: The Cycle of Birth, Life and Death

Question 1

How do you achieve Moksha?

Answer 1

• Your Atman needs to purge all its karma: it can do this by detachment
• This is because the world is Maya (an illusion), and every piece of karma attaches us to that illusion
• The ultimate goal is to purge all karma, allowing you to escape the cycle of Samsara and achieve Moksha
• Some Hindus think you can achieve Moksha during your life - Jivan Mukti.
• This is known as self-realisation - a state of detachment from Maya. Individuals who have achieved Jivan Mukti are full of knowledge, are kind to all, do not desire anything, and can withstand suffering.

Question 2

Explain the relationship between rebirth in Samsara and karma.

Answer 2

• Karma comes in positive and negative attachments
• You get positive attachments for good deeds, and negative attachments for bad deeds
• These attachments stay with you for the rest of this life
• When you die, you are reincarnated
• The more positive attachments you have, the better your next life will be