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What is samsara, and how do Hindus view this condition of existence?

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Final answer:

Samsara is the cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism, with karma governing the conditions of each rebirth. Hindus aim to achieve moksha to end this cycle, following dharma and using practices such as yoga to accumulate positive karma.

Step-by-step explanation:

Samsara in Hinduism is the concept that refers to the cycle of death and rebirth, which the soul is subjected to across various lifetimes. Hindus view this condition of existence as a continuous loop from which a soul can only be liberated through enlightenment or moksha.

The law of karma, which links actions to their effects, dictates the circumstances of each rebirth. Positive or moral actions move the soul closer toward liberation, whereas negative actions can result in being reborn into lower forms of existence.

The pursuit of dharma, or the righteous path, is crucial in determining the quality of karma accumulated. The ultimate goal in Hinduism is to achieve moksha, which is the end of samsara and an understanding of the universal truth.

Practices such as yoga can serve as a path to follow this tradition and assist in accumulating positive karma.

According to the school of Samkhya, a dualist approach in Hindu metaphysics, consciousness and matter undergo an evolutionary process, which influences the journey of the soul through samsara.

With each birth, the soul carries forward its karmic debt, seeking eventually to transcend the limitations of physical existence and reunite with the universal divine spirit.

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