Module 3 Chapters 13 15
Yinka Jackson
PHI2010
1. Explain and evaluate the notions of Karma, samsara, and Nirvana. Karma can be explained as reaping what you sow. According to multiple religions karma is inevitable. Our negative actions of the past, will undoubtedly affect our lives in the future. So if you cause harm, hurt, or suffering to someone, rest assured that it will be representing itself to you. There is no way in which to reverse these effects, as you must “pay the piper”. The flip side of this is if you do good things, they shall also represent themselves to you. Samsara is defined by the buddhist as the continuous replication of death, birth, and rebirth.
According to this cycle individuals don’t have their own souls. It is believed that there is no physical component, and that you must undergo various cycles of rebirth. Nirvana is defined as a means to extinguish. It is understood as a passing into another kind of existence. It is a release of the mind from defilement, by giving up worldly attachments and possessions. It is the intermingling of the individual existence into the ultimate reality.
2. Explain and evaluate the Hindu ideas of Brahman, atman and reality. Brahman is the ultimate principle or reality that sustains all things i. e. people and gods, while the atman is considered the soul. Brahman in the Hindu religion, is considered "the One and only One. " According to Upanishad there are four sayings that contrast brahman and atman as being one: these include the Consciousness, That art Thou, The Self and I am. In order to understand that brahman and atman are the same, it must be understood through meditation and contemplation.
Throughout the years brahman and atman have been the matter of various interpretations.
One understanding was that only the ultimate principle existed, and everything else is an illusion. Another understanding was that in addition
PHI2010
1. Explain and evaluate the notions of Karma, samsara, and Nirvana. Karma can be explained as reaping what you sow. According to multiple religions karma is inevitable. Our negative actions of the past, will undoubtedly affect our lives in the future. So if you cause harm, hurt, or suffering to someone, rest assured that it will be representing itself to you. There is no way in which to reverse these effects, as you must “pay the piper”. The flip side of this is if you do good things, they shall also represent themselves to you. Samsara is defined by the buddhist as the continuous replication of death, birth, and rebirth.
According to this cycle individuals don’t have their own souls. It is believed that there is no physical component, and that you must undergo various cycles of rebirth. Nirvana is defined as a means to extinguish. It is understood as a passing into another kind of existence. It is a release of the mind from defilement, by giving up worldly attachments and possessions. It is the intermingling of the individual existence into the ultimate reality.
2. Explain and evaluate the Hindu ideas of Brahman, atman and reality. Brahman is the ultimate principle or reality that sustains all things i. e. people and gods, while the atman is considered the soul. Brahman in the Hindu religion, is considered "the One and only One. " According to Upanishad there are four sayings that contrast brahman and atman as being one: these include the Consciousness, That art Thou, The Self and I am. In order to understand that brahman and atman are the same, it must be understood through meditation and contemplation.
Throughout the years brahman and atman have been the matter of various interpretations.
One understanding was that only the ultimate principle existed, and everything else is an illusion. Another understanding was that in addition