samsara

sam·sa·ra  (sm-sär)

n. Hinduism & Buddhism

The eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth.

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[Sanskrit sasra, course of life, samsara : sam, together; see sem-¹ in Indo-European roots + sarati, it flows.]

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samsara [səmˈsɑːrə]

n

1. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) Hinduism the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

2. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) Buddhism the transmigration or rebirth of a person

[Sanskrit, literally: a passing through, from sam altogether + sarati it runs]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

samsara - (Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth Hindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth cycle - a periodically repeated sequence of events; "a cycle of reprisal and retaliation"