Final answer:
The Dhammapada describes samsara as the endless cycle of birth and rebirth tied to suffering from attachment and desire. Liberation from samsara is possible through the Eightfold Path, leading to nirvana, the extinction of desire and ultimate peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Buddhist text Dhammapada, samsara is referred to as the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo. This cycle is driven by karma, which is the result of one's actions and intentions. According to Buddhism, suffering or dukkha is an integral part of samsara, led by attachment and desire. The Buddha taught that recognizing suffering as a common human experience can lead to compassion and connection with all living beings.
The path to liberation from samsara is outlined by the practice of the Eightfold Path, also known as The Middle Way, which is a balanced approach to spiritual development. This path includes wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline, leading to the cessation of suffering and ultimately to the state of nirvana, the ultimate peace characterized by the extinction of all desire and freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The third noble truth guides adherents toward the cessation of suffering by letting go of cravings, marking the route to nirvana. Buddha's alternative vision of reality rejects the idea of an eternal soul and emphasizes the connectedness of all existences through dependent origination, which recognizes the interdependence of past, present, and future events.