Moksha
Moksha is a central concept in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, often translated as "liberation", "freedom", "emancipation", or "release". It signifies the ultimate spiritual goal where an individual soul (or Atman) is liberated from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara).
Etymology and Meaning
The word "Moksha" comes from the Sanskrit root muc which means "to free", "let go", "release" or "liberate". In the context of spiritual liberation, it refers to:
- The liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
- The release from Karma, which binds one to rebirth.
- The realization of the true self or Atman which is identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality in Hinduism.
In Hinduism
In Hinduism, Moksha is one of the four puruṣārthas, or goals of human life, alongside Dharma, Artha, and Kama. Achieving Moksha involves:
- Jnana: Knowledge or wisdom, understanding the difference between Atman and Maya (illusion).
- Bhakti: Devotion to a personal god or deity, leading to a union with the divine.
- Karma: Performing selfless actions without attachment to the results, thereby purifying the soul.
- Raja: Through meditation and control of the mind, as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
In Jainism
For Jainism, Moksha is the ultimate aim of human life, achieved through the practice of:
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya (celibacy or chastity)
- Aparigraha (non-attachment or non-possessiveness)
These practices help in purifying the soul from Karma and eventually achieving liberation.
In Buddhism
While Buddhism does not use the term "Moksha", the concept parallels Nirvana, where:
- Nirvana signifies the blowing out or extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
- It represents the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
- The attainment of Nirvana is through the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
Historical Context
The concept of Moksha has been discussed in various ancient texts:
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