Final answer:
Samsara describes the endless cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth practiced in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is dictated by karma in Hinduism, leading to eventual enlightenment or moksha. In Buddhism, following the Buddha's teachings can lead to nirvana, which is the end of the samsaric cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Samsara refers to the endless cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth that is a fundamental concept in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is the cyclicality of all life matter, and existential phenomena across the belief systems of Indian religions. In Hinduism, karma governs the cycle of samsara, with one's actions in each life affecting the future incarnations. To eventually transcend this cycle, one aims to reach moksha, which is the release from samsara and the attainment of complete understanding of the universe.
Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama who became known as the Buddha, also focuses on samsara. The faith suggests a path to liberation through adherence to the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path, which can ultimately lead to nirvana, a state of perfect peace where the cycle of rebirth ends. Samsara in Buddhism is viewed as a cycle of suffering that can be overcome through enlightenment and cessation of desires.
In Hinduism, the Vedic texts and Upanishads discussed the concept of samsara, linking it to karma and dharma, where one's actions (karma) and adherence to cosmic law (dharma) determine their next rebirth. This cyclical process is often depicted in Hinduism as affecting one's caste in the next life, with unskilled workers being at the lowest caste, performing society's less desirable duties. It is through disciplined meditation, yogic practices, and living according to dharma that one eventually hopes to achieve moksha.