Samsara

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  • Created by: mariam26
  • Created on: 21-12-20 11:47
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  • Samsara
    • The Six Realms of Existence
      • 1) HELL
        • Constant pain + torture - intense experience of suffering
          • Biggest realm w/ most people
            • Can be escaped w/ good karma
      • 2) HUNGRY GHOST
        • Represents greed - a great craving that one can never satisfy
          • Lingering on the edge of the mortal realm
            • Have long necks and large tummies - reflection of their greed
      • 3) ANIMAL
        • Reflects the instinctive nature of animals
          • Based on instincts, survival and self - preservation
            • From instinct they are unable to generate good karma
              • Hardest realm to get out of
      • 4) HUMAN
        • Represents life on Earth - purpose, aspiration and possibilities
          • Humans have the best chance of enlightenment due to their awareness + rationality
            • Can suffer but not the same as suffering in Hell realm
      • 5) ASURA
        • Represents jealousy, paranoia, violence - known as demi-god realm
          • Powerful + intelligent beings e.g. politician or CEO
            • Will do anything to protect their position
      • 6) DEVA
        • Pride, ecstasy, beauty, pleasure - god realm
          • Trying to be higher than creation
            • Bliss is short-lived and subject to suffering
      • Good Actions (Karma) = Good Realms
        • Bad Actions (Karma) = Bad Realms
    • The Three Poisons
      • In the Wheel of Samsara there are 3 creatures - represent 3 poisons (unskillful means) that can be cured - David Webster says this
        • Pig/Moha (ignorance)
          • Ignorance of true nature of universe as no self: antidote = knowledge
        • Snake/Dvesha (hate or rage)
          • Anger towards those who keeps us from what we want; antidote = kindness
        • Rooster/Lobha (greed)
          • Wanting material things for ourselves; antidote = generosity
    • Dependent Origination
      • Dependent origination is shown around the rim of the wheel of samsara
      • represents 12 links/chain of causes which result in rebirth and dukkha
        • By breaking the chain, liberation from suffering can be attained. Everything except nirvana is conditioned by dependent origination
      • Things are dependant on other things to cause them
    • Karma and Samsara
      • Samsara can be overcome by following the Buddhist path and improving your karma
      • Karma is the Buddhist version of the law of cause and effect
        • Each day gives people the opportunity to rewrite their karma with the chance to do good or not
      • In Buddhism, whatever you did in this life will affect what you become in the next
        • This way the cycle of Samsara is driven by Karma
    • Nirvana and Samsara
      • Nirvana is the eternal state of being where Karma and Samsara no longer exist
        • Represents the end of desire, suffering and individual consciousness
      • Until Nirvana is reached through enlightenment, the cycle of Samsara is repeated
    • Samsara is the cycle of life - incl. birth, living, death and returning to life
      • Literally translated as 'Continuous Movement'
      • Beings cycle through the six realms of existence
      • The Wheel of Samsara is held by Yama - monster of impermanence

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