|
|
HINDU DEATH & DYING In Hinduism, it is important when dealing with death that the idea of reincarnation is grasped. Dying is not the end as the soul, their atman moves to a different body and this is the cycle of samsara. A Hindu may have many lives in order to achieve Moksha, liberation or salvation brought about by breaking the cycle of samsara, and become one with Brahman. The cycle of samsara is dependant upon one’s karma. Karma is simply explained as cause and effect: the actions, thoughts and feelings of the previous life determines this one, behaviour in this life will affect the following one, and so on. To minimise karma, one can increase their knowledge of Brahman, the soul and the universe, perform unselfish selfless actions, perform deep meditations and have total surrender to God which will mean that they receive God’s grace which in turn will reduce karma [Kanitkar & Cole:1995:102].
|
