New
New
Year 7
Dharma and moksha
I can explain the Hindu beliefs about the soul and the significance of moksha.
New
New
Year 7
Dharma and moksha
I can explain the Hindu beliefs about the soul and the significance of moksha.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- According to the Hindu concept of dharma, the soul cannot be destroyed.
- The soul enters a new living being upon death.
- Moksha is the ultimate goal of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
- Moksha occurs when the soul ends the cycle of rebirth and is reunited with Brahman.
- Dharma is a path to attaining moksha.
Keywords
Moksha - liberation or freedom from samsara
Karma - the belief that all actions have consequences
Samsara - the belief in the cycle of rebirth for the soul
Atman - means 'soul' or 'spirit'
Brahman - the supreme spirit or ultimate reality
Common misconception
Moksha is a place or is heaven.
Moksha is where the atman (soul) is reunited with Brahman (the supreme being).
A sensitive topic discussion of Hindu beliefs about the afterlife will occur in 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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4 Questions
Q1.
Which Hindu term describes the eternal law or truth?
ashramas
yoga
Q2.
What does the Hindu term 'ashrama' mean?
freedom from samsara
the ways that Hindus can fulfil their dharma and be closer to the divine
Q3.
According to the ashramas, which stage of life is being a parent and householder?
stage 1
stage 3
stage 4
stage 5
Q4.
According to the ashramas, which stage is renunciation?
stage 1
stage 2
stage 3
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is the atman?
the cycle of birth and death
the physical body
Q2.
What is meant by 'samsara'?
the belief that consequences have actions
the belief in having many lives
Q3.
What does reincarnation refer to?
liberation or freedom from samsara
the cycle of birth, life and death
Q4.
How can an atman be reunited with Brahman?
by attaining samsara
by attaining enlightenment
Q5.
According to Hindu Dharma, how might moksha be achieved?
by attaining enlightenment
Q6.
What are the life aims in Hindu Dharma?
atman