New
New
Year 6
Karma, samsara and moksha
I can explain what samsara, moksha and karma means to different Hindus.
New
New
Year 6
Karma, samsara and moksha
I can explain what samsara, moksha and karma means to different Hindus.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- In the cycle of samsara, every living being is reincarnated into a new form after death.
- Every living being's future destiny will depend on karma from their previous life.
- The ultimate goal is to reach moksha, unity with Brahman.
Keywords
Samsara - the cycle of life, death and reincarnation
Moksha - achieving freedom from samsara and being one with Brahman
Atman - a living being's soul
Common misconception
Hindus believe in heaven.
Hindus believe in reincarnation as part of samsara. The ultimate goal for Hindus is moksha, or being released from the cycle of samsara.
As this lesson touches on beliefs about death, you might want to ensure that any pupils who have recently had a loss are made aware of the lesson's content before you teach this lesson.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is a mandir?
a festival celebrated with lights and fireworks
an offering made during puja
Q2.
What is a murti?
a festival celebrating family
a special prayer recited during puja
Q3.
For Hindus, what is the ultimate reality of the universe called?
Ganesha
Sita
Q4.
What is the purpose of puja?
to prepare food for a festival
to celebrate the new year
Q5.
What item is often used during puja?
a kite
a drum
Q6.
Why do Hindus celebrate Diwali?
to mark the beginning of spring
to celebrate the harvest season
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is samsara?
the eternal soul that never dies
freedom from the cycle of reincarnation
Q2.
What is moksha?
starting a new life
living a good life and gaining positive karma
Q3.
What is the atman?
a person's actions and their consequences
the celebration of good over evil
Q4.
How does karma affect samsara?
it has no impact on samsara
it keeps the atman united with Brahman
Q5.
When reincarnated, a person's true essence ...
changes a little.
changes a lot.
Q6.
Christians and Hindus agree on which of these beliefs?
that everyone is reincarnated
that people may go to heaven