Samsara vs. Moksha — What's the Difference?

Samsara embodies the concept of the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth that individuals undergo according to their karma. Moksha, on the other hand, is the ultimate goal of human existence in many Indian religions, representing the liberation from samsara and the end of all suffering associated with the cycle of rebirth.

In Hinduism, samsara is fueled by ignorance, desire, and attachment, which bind the soul (atman) to the physical world. Moksha is achieved through the realization of one's true self and the detachment from material desires, culminating in the union with the divine, often represented by Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Buddhism also acknowledges samsara, where it is seen as a cycle of suffering maintained by desire, aversion, and delusion. Moksha in Buddhism is referred to as nirvana and is achieved through the Eightfold Path, leading to the cessation of desires and the attainment of a profound peace.

The pursuit of moksha differs significantly between the various schools of Indian philosophy. For example, in Advaita Vedanta, moksha is realized through self-knowledge and non-dualism, where one understands that the individual soul and Brahman are one. Conversely, samsara is often depicted as a state of ignorance where one fails to see this essential unity.

Both samsara and moksha are deeply embedded in practices and rituals across Hinduism and Buddhism. Practices aimed at achieving moksha include meditation, yoga, devotion, and ethical living, whereas living within samsara often involves household, social, and ritualistic duties that can either bind one further to the cycle or prepare one for eventual liberation.