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Significance of Samsara

Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that all sentient beings experience. This cycle is characterized by suffering, impermanence, and dissatisfaction, often driven by ignorance and attachment. In various spiritual philosophies, including Buddhism, it is seen as a realm from which individuals seek liberation through understanding Dharma and practicing spiritual discipline. Overall, Samsara represents the ongoing existence individuals navigate until they achieve enlightenment or spiritual liberation.1
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Synonyms: Cycle of rebirth, Reincarnation, Wandering, Eternal cycle, Life and death, Transmigration, Metempsychosis, Eternal return

In Dutch: Samsara; In German: Samsara; In Finnish: Samsara; In Spanish: Samsara; In Swedish: Samsara; In Malay: Samsara; In French: Samsara

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Samsara'

Buddhism Books

Samsara in Buddhism signifies the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering, ignorance, and attachment, from which practitioners seek liberation through enlightenment and the teachings of the Dhamma.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that the Buddha seeks to liberate beings from.[1] (2) The cycle of existence; a long journey that individuals must navigate, with generosity being an essential provision.[2] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that the Buddha teaches beings to transcend through enlightenment.[3] (4) The cycle of birth and rebirth that both Buddhas and Disciples seek to transcend.[4] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism that the bhikkhus were seeking to escape.[5]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, where individuals experience various lives based on their actions, including the effects of macchariya.[6] (2) The continuous cycle of rebirths experienced by sentient beings influenced by their kamma.[7] (3) The continuous cycle of existence characterized by the coming into being of consciousness (citta), mental factors (cetasikas), and material elements (rupa), not to be confused with the material world.[8] (4) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that beings undergo until enlightenment is achieved.[9] (5) The cycle of death and rebirth that one continues until achieving enlightenment.[10]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which individuals seek liberation through the practice of Dhamma.[11] (2) The cycle of birth and death that individuals experience, which is addressed through the teachings of the Buddha.[12] (3) The continual round of birth and existence that beings experience, from which they fail to strive for liberation.[13] (4) the cycle of birth and rebirth that one seeks to escape through self-mortification[14] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo, marked by ignorance and craving.[15]

From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering and driven by craving and ignorance.[16] (2) Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by recurring existence influenced by various causes and conditions.[17] (3) The cycle of birth, old age, disease, and death that all sentient beings are subjected to, which the Buddha sought to understand.[18] (4) Samsara is the cycle of rebirths, characterized by suffering and perpetuated by ignorance and craving.[19] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering.[20]

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) It is the cycle of birth and death, and bhavanga citta is the builder of it, and it is the path along which avijja goes, and it is where one must build up mindfulness and wisdom within their heart.[21] (2) The cycle of birth and death, which people easily get involved in, according to the text.[22] (3) The cycle of birth and death that Venerable Acharn Brom and his wife sought to escape through their ordination and practices.[23] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which beings are entangled, often referred to in discussions about worldly attachments.[24] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth experienced by all sentient beings, characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction.[25]

From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist thought, often misunderstood by ordinary people.[26] (2) The cycle of rebirth and existence that living beings are confined to, which allows for opportunities to perform good deeds.[27] (3) The perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals experience as a result of craving and ignorance.[28] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which beings are trapped due to ignorance and craving.[29]

From: Catusacca Dipani

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth in Buddhism, mentioned to illustrate the significance of Dassanattho in realizing deeper truths.[30] (2) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth where beings wander, often without understanding of good and evil.[31] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings experience based on their actions and kamma.[32] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo, characterized by suffering and the pursuit of various pleasures.[33]

From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist belief, characterized by suffering and attachment.[34] (2) The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals seek to escape through the practices of meditation and concentration.[35]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life

(1) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that one seeks to escape through enlightenment.[36] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings go through, influenced by their deeds.[37]

From: Mahavamsa

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth that Buddha aims to help beings escape from.[38]

From: Patthana Dhamma

(1) The cycle of binding existence that various lives are trapped in, influenced by tanha.[39]

From: Guide to Tipitaka

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering and ignorance.[40]

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) The cycle of rebirths and suffering characterized by continuous appearances and disappearances of existence.[41]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth that beings undergo, governed by their karmic actions.[42] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that encompasses the experiences and learning journey within Buddhist philosophy.[43] (3) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that all sentient beings experience.[44] (4) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which beings seek liberation through the realization of nirvana.[45] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism, characterized by suffering and impermanence.[46]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist philosophy that one seeks to transcend.[47] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by suffering and ignorance, from which liberation is sought through enlightenment.[48] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo until they achieve Enlightenment.[49] (4) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that beings endure due to ignorance and attachment.[50] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that sentient beings undergo, which is characterized by suffering and transient existence.[51]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist teachings, from which beings ultimately seek to escape through enlightenment.[52] (2) The cycle of birth and death, or existence that Buddha's teachings aim to help practitioners transcend through understanding and enlightenment.[53] (3) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism, from which practitioners strive to achieve liberation.[54] (4) The cycle of birth and death that creatures are caught in due to ignorance and desire.[55] (5) The cycle of suffering and rebirth in Buddhist belief, of which individuals seek to break free through understanding and enlightenment.[56]

From: Mahavastu (great story)

(1) The cycle of rebirth and suffering that the Bodhisattva seeks to transcend.[57] (2) The cycle of birth and rebirth, which the Bodhisattva reflects upon in relation to his numerous lives.[58] (3) Refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo, emphasized in the context of the Exalted One's previous lives.[59] (4) The cycle of rebirth and suffering, addressed in the context of the Tathagata achieving enlightenment and escaping rebirth.[60] (5) Samsara denotes the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that sentient beings experience.[61]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) Samsara refers to the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth characterized by delusions, cravings, and attachments that propel sentient beings into conflicting realities.[62] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals go through until achieving enlightenment.[63] (3) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that individuals remain trapped in if they fail to properly engage with the dharma.[64] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by suffering and the continual searching for happiness.[65]

From: Lankavatara Sutra

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which sentient beings are trapped until they achieve enlightenment.[66] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which beings are trapped due to ignorance and desire.[67] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering, from which one seeks liberation through enlightenment in Buddhist philosophy.[68]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that beings undergo, driven by karma and ignorance.[69] (2) The cycle of birth and death in which beings are trapped due to their karma, continuously undergoing suffering until liberation is achieved.[70] (3) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which living beings are trapped due to karma.[71]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva aims to liberate beings who have positive inclinations towards the Dharma.[72] (2) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which sentient beings endure suffering.[73]

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) The cycle of renewed births, a fundamental concept in Buddhism representing the life cycle of all sentient beings.[74]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra

(1) The cyclical nature of existence characterized by birth, death, and rebirth that sentient beings navigate.[75]

From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)

(1) The perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which liberation is sought.[76]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that all sentient beings experience, characterized by suffering and impermanence.[77] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, in which beings experience suffering and joy.[78] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, viewed negatively in the spiritual context.[79] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering and delusion, from which one seeks liberation through practices like patience.[80] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist belief, which individuals aim to escape through enlightenment.[81]

From: Bodhinyana

(1) The cyclic existence of birth, life, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering, from which one seeks to attain liberation.[82]

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) The cycle of repeated rebirths that Ratthapala was striving to transcend.[83]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The cycle of rebirth that influences the actions and teachings of Buddhist practitioners like stens pa lo tsa ba.[84] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist teaching, representing the realm of suffering and attachment.[85] (3) The cycle of rebirth and suffering in Buddhist teachings that the Precious Great pandita aimed to help beings transcend.[86] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that sentient beings undergo, characterized by suffering and ignorance, from which one seeks liberation.[87] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism, characterized by suffering and impermanence.[88]

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) The cycle of birth and death, and the unstable living beings within. In the Transcendental Truth, Samsara never existed, even its name is meaningless.[89] (2) The cycle of existence that continues until enlightenment is fully realized.[90] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that binds beings and from which liberation is sought in Buddhism.[91]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Samsara'

Hinduism Books

Samsara in Hinduism embodies the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, entangled with desires and attachments. It represents the existential struggle from which individuals seek liberation through spiritual practices and understanding.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Taittiriya Upanishad

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals experience due to karma.[92] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in the material world that relates to the evolved universe, but is not applicable to the Atman.[93] (3) The cycle of birth and rebirth, which Brahman transcends.[94] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering, which individuals seek to transcend through spiritual knowledge.[95] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth influenced by desires and ignorance, from which realization of Brahman liberates one.[96]

From: Thirty minor Upanishads

(1) The cyclical existence of birth, life, death, and rebirth that one must transcend to attain liberation.[97] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, often viewed as a state of existence that one seeks to transcend.[98] (3) The cycle of birth, life, and death, which individuals are trapped in until attaining liberation through yoga.[99] (4) Samsara represents the cycle of rebirth and the continuous flow of life, including birth and death.[100] (5) The cycle of birth and rebirth which one seeks to transcend through yoga.[101]

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)

(1) The samsara, based on the appearance, is the effect of Nescience, and its removal leads to the cognition of the soul being Brahman.[102] (2) The samsara is the cycle of rebirth and death that the soul passes through, as mentioned in the text. The text explains how the soul moves through it.[103] (3) This is the cycle of rebirth and suffering from which some souls obtain release, eventually leading to the end of the samsara for all souls within the system.[104] (4) The soul, as long as involved in this, has for its essence the qualities of its limiting adjuncts, and is spoken of as minute.[105] (5) Samsara refers to the non-eternal, fleeting, and changing nature of embodied existence, with pleasure and pain, and is described in texts like Ch. Up. VIII, 12, 1.[106]

From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism, often associated with material existence.[107] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu philosophy, which one aims to transcend to achieve liberation (moksha).[108] (3) The cyclical nature of life, characterized by birth, death, and rebirth, often associated with ignorance and attachment.[109] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, often associated with desire and karma.[110] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, from which emancipation is sought.[111]

From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary

(1) The cycle of birth, life, and death characterized by transitory experiences and desires, to which all worlds produced by karma belong.[112] (2) The cycle of birth, life, and death to which mortals are subjected, contrasting with Brahma's nature.[113] (3) The cycle of existence involving birth, life, death, and rebirth.[114] (4) The cycle of birth, life, and death characterized by endless actions (karma) and associated misery, which apara vidya helps to understand.[115] (5) Represents the cycle of life and existence where beings operate with the help of sensory organs.[116]

From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)

(1) In Hinduism, samsara describes the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which one seeks liberation through spiritual knowledge and realization.[117] (2) The cyclical existence of birth, death, and rebirth that the sleeping person remains part of, despite temporarily shedding knowledge and agency during deep sleep.[118] (3) The cycle of birth and rebirth that encompasses all activities influenced by the contact of theSelf with gunas.[119] (4) Refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth which is implicated in ignorance of the Imperishable.[120] (5) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that souls experience until attaining liberation.[121]

From: Ishavasya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya (Sitarama)

(1) The cycle of death and rebirth, which the ignorant are caught up in by acting against their true nature, the Atman.[122] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that individuals experience, with associated grief and delusion.[123] (3) The cycle of birth and rebirth that individuals enter as a consequence of killing the Atman.[124]

From: Vivekachudamani

(1) The concept of relative existence, often depicted here as a tree, where ignorance serves as the seed.[125] (2) The continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth, often viewed as a realm of suffering and illusion.[126] (3) The entirety of relative existence characterized by continuous cycles of actions and their consequences.[127]

From: Ashtavakra Gita

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by attraction and revulsion stemming from desires.[128] (2) The cycle of birth, life, and death that the ignorant are trapped in, but the wise transcend.[129] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in a material existence, which the speaker indicates is absent in their pure state.[130]

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which is to be transcended in the pursuit of Moksha.[131] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals experience, characterized by worldly attachments and ignorance.[132]

From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which liberation is sought.[133]

From: Mandukya Upanishad

(1) Samsara refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which the absolute singularity remains unaffected by.[134]

From: Kena upanishad (Madhva commentary)

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth that one seeks to escape from through prayer and seeking salvation.[135]

From: Kathopanishad (Madhva commentary)

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth in which the Jivas remain entrapped until they attain liberation.[136]

From: Prashna Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary

(1) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that living beings undergo, which is transcended through meditation.[137]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that individuals experience.[138] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; bondage that individuals are freed from by understanding the nature of duality.[139] (3) The cycle of birth and death which the Devi protects devotees from through her mercy and blessings.[140] (4) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that devotees seek to be freed from through spiritual practices.[141] (5) The cycle of birth and death that human beings experience, from which the Goddess can liberate them.[142]

From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which all beings are trapped.[143] (2) The cycle of mundane existence characterized by birth, death, and rebirth.[144] (3) The cycle of mundane existence characterized by a lack of beginning, middle, or end.[145] (4) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth; the realm of worldly existence from which liberation is sought.[146] (5) The cycle of life, death, and rebirth, characterized by attachment and ignorance.[147]

From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth that living beings undergo due to the effects of Karma.[148] (2) This term refers to worldly illusion or the continuous cycle of birth and death that is influenced by the interaction between Matter and Spirit.[149]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) The transmigatory series or cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu philosophy, representing the difficulties of worldly existence.[150] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that one seeks to transcend through spiritual practices.[151]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that souls experience until achieving liberation.[152] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, through which souls navigate their existence while desiring freedom.[153] (3) Refers to the cycle of birth and rebirth in worldly life, representing the continuous suffering and entrapment experienced by the soul until liberation.[154] (4) The cycle of birth and death characterized by its difficult and daunting nature.[155] (5) This is a term used to describe the cycle of birth and rebirth, which the songs aim to help transcend.[156]

From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that one aims to transcend through spiritual practice and devotion.[157] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is transcended through sincere devotion and spiritual practices.[158] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals undergo due to their actions.[159] (4) The continuous cycle of birth and death, characterized by ignorance and attachment to the material world.[160]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) The continuous cycle of birth and death from which liberation aims to free the soul.[161] (2) The cycle of material existence that can be destroyed at its root by the utterance of the name of Bhagavan.[162] (3) of the world of birth and death[163]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) The cycle of birth and death that living entities undergo within the material world, marked by suffering and illusion.[164] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu philosophy, often viewed as a state from which one seeks liberation.[165]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) The cycle of repeated birth, life, death, and rebirth in various forms.[166]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu belief, which souls traverse until they attain liberation.[167] (2) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth from which liberation is sought.[168] (3) The cycle of repeated birth, life, and death in Hindu belief, where one's actions, or karma, determine their future existences.[169] (4) The world of form, characterized by duality and limitation, where beings experience existence in a limited manner.[170] (5) The cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism, addressed through spiritual practices to seek liberation.[171]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Pancaratra (worship of N膩r膩ya峁嘺):
Pancaratra Books

From: Parama Samhita (English translation)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in the material world, characterized by suffering and the quest for liberation.[172] (2) The cycle of life, existence, and rebirth that souls undergo until achieving release through dharma.[173] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in which all beings are perpetually bound as a result of their actions (karma).[174]

Pancaratra represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Refers to the series of births and deaths that the Soul experiences, illustrating the cycle of life and existence.[175]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)

(1) The cyclical nature of life resulting in birth, existence, and death, in relation to individual consciousness.[176]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)

(1) The cycle of birth and rebirth in the material world; the state that the Yogi transcends.[177]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Jain concept of 'Samsara'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Samsara represents the cyclical journey of birth, life, death, and rebirth, characterized by suffering and attachment due to desires. Liberation from this cycle is sought through spiritual practice and understanding.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) The cycle of existence that is considered worthless, leading to the transition of Sahasrayudha to mendicancy.[178] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in some Indian religions.[179] (3) The cycle of life and death that Vikramayashas becomes disillusioned with, leading to his quest for liberation.[180] (4) The cycle of wandering through various forms of existence, which Prince Vasupujya desires to escape.[181] (5) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, often considered a realm of suffering.[182]

From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra

(1) The cycle of birth, old age, and death that the beings are afraid of, prompting them to seek refuge in a life of austerity.[183] (2) The cycle of birth and rebirth, where living beings may either remain trapped or transcend to perfection.[184] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, often viewed as a place of suffering.[185] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, where living beings experience various forms depending on their past actions.[186] (5) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by attachment and delusion, which individuals seek to escape through spiritual practice.[187]

From: Acaranga-sutra

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; the ongoing process of life that one can become conversant with.[188] (2) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals who cling to worldly pleasures fail to transcend.[189] (3) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, characterized by attachment and suffering due to desire for worldly things.[190] (4) The cycle of existence that represents suffering and ignorance.[191] (5) The continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that a liberated person has transcended.[192]

From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)

(1) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that creatures undergo due to their Karman, from which one seeks liberation.[193] (2) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that one seeks to escape through understanding and wisdom.[194] (3) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals aim to transcend.[195] (4) The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering and attachment, which individuals aim to transcend.[196] (5) The cycle of life, death, and rebirth that individuals experience, compared to an impassable flood of water.[197]

From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)

(1) Transmigration; refers to the cyclical nature of birth, death, and rebirth in worldly existence.[198]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Samsara in local and regional sources

History Books

Samsara encompasses the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, central to various philosophical teachings in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing worldly existence filled with attachments and the pursuit of spiritual liberation from suffering.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) This is a term used in the poem 'Do Not Look At Me So' by D. R. Bendre, referring to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.[199] (2) The cycle of birth, life, and death that Siddhartha experiences, filled with attachments such as sex and money.[200] (3) The cycle of birth and rebirth that saadhakaas strive to transcend through spiritual practice.[201] (4) The cycle of life, death, and rebirth, viewed positively in relation to enjoying pleasures in this world.[202] (5) The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in Hindu philosophy.[203]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This term describes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and it is used to describe the state that Sanyal is in, implying that he is lost in worldly pursuits.[204] (2) The text mentions Samsara as family and property, which people often think about, but it should not be the only focus.[205] (3) Samsara represents the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and escaping from this wheel of Samsara is a crucial step towards attaining spiritual liberation.[206] (4) The round of birth and death, which is literally translated in Sanskrit, and all creation is passing through this round and will sooner or later become free.[207] (5) This is described as being full of errors, delusions, and miseries, and the speaker highlights the importance of navigating its challenges.[208]

From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka

(1) The cycle of rebirth that Buddhists seek to escape through spiritual practice, culminating in the attainment of Nibbana.[209]