Definition

Noun: 1. (In Hinduism and Buddhism) The endless cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth: Samsara refers to the continuous process of reincarnation, where a being's soul or consciousness is reborn into a new body after death. This cycle is driven by karma (the consequences of one's actions) and is characterized by inherent suffering (dukkha). The ultimate spiritual goal in these traditions is to achieve liberation (moksha or nirvana) from this cycle.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • According to Buddhist teachings, all sentient beings are trapped in samsara.
  • The goal of yoga is to attain knowledge that frees the soul from samsara.
  • His actions created karma that bound him further to the wheel of samsara.

Advanced Usage

• "The wheel of samsara": A common metaphorical phrase depicting samsara as an ever-turning wheel, symbolizing its cyclical and inescapable nature without enlightenment.
  • Meditation is a practice to help one step off the wheel of samsara.

Variants and Related Words

• Samsaric (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of samsara.
  • He sought to transcend the samsaric world of desire and attachment.

Synonyms

• Cycle of rebirth
• Transmigration
• Reincarnation cycle

Related Concepts (Not Synonyms)

• Karma: The law of moral cause and effect that influences one's passage through samsara.
• Nirvana (Buddhism) / Moksha (Hinduism): The liberation from samsara.
• Dukkha: The suffering, dissatisfaction, or stress inherent in samsaric existence.

Noun

1. (Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth