Final answer:
Moksha in Hinduism is the release from the cycle of rebirth or samsara, which is the ultimate spiritual goal. Achieving Moksha involves following one's dharma with ethical actions that are determined by karma and may require disciplined meditation and devotion to God. Unlike Hinduism's Moksha, Buddhism seeks Nirvana, but both involve liberation from an endless cycle of birth and death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Moksha in Hinduism
Moksha is a concept in Hinduism that represents the release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). It is the ultimate goal of a Hindu's spiritual journey, aiming to achieve a state of enlightenment and union with Brahman, the ultimate and universal reality. Moksha entails liberation from the endless cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth, driven by karma, which is the sum of a person's actions and their ethical consequences. To attain Moksha, one must follow their dharma (righteous path), with disciplined meditation and devotion to God playing crucial roles. In contrast to Hindu beliefs, Buddhism focuses on achieving Nirvana, a similar state of liberation attained through adherence to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Hindus believe that life on Earth and the experiences of the soul are governed by karma and are part of a divine cosmic law. By leading a life in accordance with dharma and performing positive, upright actions, a soul can ascend higher on the spiritual ladder in subsequent rebirths, whereas bad or evil actions may result in rebirth into lower forms of existence. Spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation are often employed as paths to work towards Moksha. The process of being reborn continues until one achieves Moksha, thus escaping the cycle of samsara and reuniting with the divine spirit.