Final answer:
In Hinduism, karma is the moral law of cause and effect affecting one's future lives, while reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul after death. One's actions determine the karmic balance, influencing the conditions of their rebirth. The ultimate spiritual goal is moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hindu Notions of Karma and Reincarnation
The Hindu concepts of karma and reincarnation are intrinsically linked. Karma can be understood as the moral law of causation, wherein positive and negative actions in one's life have corresponding effects on the soul's future experiences.
Every action contributes to the accumulated karmic 'debt' or 'credit' that one carries through life. These actions directly influence the soul's journey through samsara, which is the cycle of death and rebirth.
Reincarnation, also known as samsara, is the process by which the soul is reborn into a new life form after death. The condition in which one is reborn is determined by one's accumulated karma.
Performing actions aligned with dharma (righteous duty) leads to positive karma, bringing the soul closer to the ultimate spiritual goal of moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Conversely, malicious acts lead to negative karma, potentially resulting in rebirth in a lower form of existence.
Therefore, within the Hindu tradition, adhering to one's dharma and accumulating positive karma is essential for spiritual progress through successive rebirths, culminating in the release from the cycle of samsara and union with Brahman (universal divine spirit).