How do you escape the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism is a question that many people have asked. Reincarnation is a belief in some religions, including Hinduism, that after death a person’s soul is reborn into a new body. Thus, a soul can go through a cycle of reincarnations, until it reaches its ultimate goal. But the process of freeing oneself from the cycle is often seen as challenging, because of its reliance on the individual’s understanding and engagement in the practices related to moksha (liberation).
Broadly, moksha is a spiritual practice that seeks to break free from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth by understanding and integrating the truths underlying human existence. According to Advaita Vedanta, one of the major philosophical branches of Hinduism, moksha is attained by recognizing that Atman (the individual soul) is one and of the same nature as Brahman (the supreme reality). This recognition is gained through meditating on the Vedic scriptures, and by engaging in yoga and devotional services. By achieving a level of profound self-realization, individuals become free from the cycle of birth, death, and divine karma.
However, not everyone is keen to take part in yoga and meditation, and some may question the efficacy of these practices in achieving moksha. Eminent Hindu guru, Sadhguru, offers an insight into why the practice of yoga and meditation can be beneficial in attaining liberation from reincarnation. He states that deeply meditating on oneself and extending awareness beyond one’s body and mind helps one to recognize their true nature. This deep insight is said to allow one to break free from their sense of identification with the body.
The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture and considered to be one of the greatest works of religious prose. The text offers further insight into breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation. It states that after a person dies, the soul passes on to a new body that is determined by the nature of their past karma. Therefore, if a person has accrued bad karma, they will pass on to a “lower” realm, whereas if they have had a good life, they will pass onto a “higher” realm. In this way, karmic energy builds up and results in the self repeating a cycle of birth, death and rebirth until it is liberated from the clay of illusion.
In Hinduism, there is a wide range of paths to liberation, such as selfless service and chanting mantras. However, Hindus also understand that moksha is a lifelong practice, and one should be devoted in their spiritual quest. Selfless service helps in recognizing that one’s soul is beyond the body, and by surrendering to something larger and purer than oneself, one moves closer to liberation.
From the perspective of Jainism, an ancient religion that has evolved alongside Hinduism, ahimsā (the practice of nonviolence) is the foundation for moksha. According to their teachings, a persons bad karma can only be released if they practice absolute ahimsā, which entails abstaining from causing any harm by thought, action, or speech. Through this practice, individuals attain a level of self-control and mental clarity that is essential in recognizing the truths of the soul.
Reincarnation In Buddhism
Although similar to Hinduism in some respects, Buddhism does not have a belief in ‘reincarnation’ as the soul passing from one life to the next. In Buddhism, one does not pass on to another life; instead, Buddhists believe in the process of ‘rebirth’, which is the idea that a person’s karma and actions in one life can influence their situation in the next life. The Buddhist conception of rebirth is based upon the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, and from the perspective of what can be achieved in each life, rather than on past lives.
Most Buddhists are committed to the idea of attaining nirvana in their own lifetime. Nirvana is the state of enlightenment, in which a person is freed from their attachment and ignorance. To achieve this, Buddhists strive to follow the path of the Eightfold Path, which involves living an ethical life, cleansing oneself of corruption and cultivating wisdom. This path is said to be more achievable than that of Hinduism in some ways, as it does not require an understanding of complex metaphysical concepts or worldly renunciation.
Realizing Your True Nature
Apart from engaging in ethical practices and cultivating wisdom, Hindus also strive to realize their true nature. This realization aims to free one from the cycle of rebirth by transcending their identification with the body. Hinduism emphasizes non-attachment, selfless service and meditation. These practices are based on the idea that in order to be liberated from the process of reincarnation, one needs to become liberated from one’s own desires and attachments.
The Upanishads, which are a collection of ancient Hindu scriptures, also provide insight into releasing oneself from the cycle of reincarnation. They emphasize the need to understand brahman (the absolute reality), and of recognizing one’s true identity as being beyond their physical body. The Upanishads provide an understanding that by freeing oneself from all attachments, one can achieve moksha.
Variations In Moksha Practices
Although Advaita Vedanta is the major philosophical branch of Hinduism, there are some variations in the way moksha or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation is interpreted. One such example is Dvaita, or dualistic philosophy. According to this philosophy, liberation involves gaining an understanding of one’s individual soul and of its relationship with an eternal, all-pervading prime mover—God.
The primary aim of Dvaita philosophy is to progress towards the understanding that atman (the soul) and Brahman (the supreme reality) are different, and should not be seen as one and the same anymore. That said, this philosophy also holds that a person is freed from the cycle of reincarnation only after they have achieved a level of self-realization that enables them to transcend their attachments.
Establishing Buddhism In India
Buddhism has been based in India for thousands of years, but has become less prominent in modern Hindu culture. This can be attributed to numerous factors, ranging from the historical emergence of Hinduism and its dominance in practices, to the cultural and social transformations that have occurred over the centuries. Despite this, Buddhism continues to have an influence in many Hindu religions, and some buddhist teachings have had a tremendous impact on Hinduism in diverse ways.
Another reason Buddhism has been overshadowed by Hinduism is due to negative political developments in India. During the twentieth century, as religious communities became more ethnically and politically organized, certain forms of Buddhism were seen as a threat to the unity of the Hindu population. Thus, Buddhism has become much less prominent in India in recent years.
Contemporary Relevance Of Buddhism
In contemporary India, Buddhism is mainly practiced by the Dalit community, formerly known as the ‘untouchables’. Here, Buddha is seen as a great teacher and his teachings provide a basis for the contemporary Dalit Buddhist movement. This movement began in the 1950s, and seeks to empower the Dalit community by providing dignity, economic development and education. As such, Buddhism still remains a valuable source of liberation for many in modern India.
In addition, Buddhism remains relevant for its teaching of karma and enlightenment. Karma is an important Hindu principle, and both religions believe in the idea of cause and effect. Likewise, while liberation is a major aspect of Hinduism, Buddhists emphasize the need to recognize one’s true nature in order to be liberated. These teachings, therefore, become more important when seeking to break free from the cycle of reincarnation.
