Open Source: Samsara Wikipedia
Saṃsāra (in Sanskrit (संसार) and Pali) in Buddhism is the beginningless cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence and dying again.[1] Samsara is considered to be suffering (Skt. duḥkha; P. dukkha), or generally unsatisfactory and painful.[2] It is perpetuated by desire and ignorance (Skt. avidyā; P. avijjā), and the resulting karma and sensuousness.[3][4][5]
Rebirths occur in six realms of existence, namely three good realms (heavenly, demi-god, human) and three evil realms (animal, ghosts, hell).[note 1] Saṃsāra ends when a being attains nirvāṇa, which is the extinction of desire and acquisition of true insight into the nature of reality as impermanent and non-self.[7][8][9][note 2]
Characteristics
In Buddhism, saṃsāra is the beginningless and endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth characterized by suffering.[2][10] Passages from the Samyutta Nikaya propose that this process is beginningless, fueled by the ignorance and craving of beings.[11] This unending transmigration across the six realms (Skt. gati, lit. “paths”)[12] lacks a particular direction or purpose.[13][14][note 3] Samsara is characterized by suffering (Skt. duḥkha; P. dukkha),[note 4] and relates to the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism, as dukkha is the essence of Samsara.[17][18] Every rebirth is temporary and impermanent. In each rebirth one is born and dies, to be reborn elsewhere in accordance with one’s own karma.[19] It is perpetuated by one’s ignorance (Skt. and P. avidyā), particularly ignorance regarding impermanence (Skt. anityā; P. anicca) and no-self (Skt. anātman; P. anatta),[20][21] which leads to craving.[note 5] Samsara continues until liberation is attained by means of insight and nirvana,[15][note 2] the extinguishment of desires and the gaining of true insight into impermanence and non-self reality.[7][8][9] Outside of a Buddhist context, similar notions of cyclic existence date back to 800 BCE.[25]
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