2.3.8

Cyclical Time

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Cyclical Time

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Cycles

  • Buddhists believe that time is cyclical. Time does not have a beginning or an end.
  • There are infinite cycles of birth, death, and rebirth for all living beings.
  • Every being is reborn in different forms, depending on their karma (the effects of their actions).
    • These cycles are the samsara.
  • The goal of Buddhism is to escape this cycle by reaching nirvana.
    • Nirvana is a state of peace and freedom from rebirth.
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No beginning

  • Unlike Hindu Dharma, Buddhism teaches that the cycle of time and rebirth has no beginning.
  • The Buddha said that life has always existed in one form or another. Life is eternal and ever-changing.
  • There was not a single moment when the universe was first created.
  • Instead of asking when the cycle began, Buddhists focus on how to end suffering within this cycle.
  • Buddhists value each moment of life and act with kindness and mindfulness.

Jump to other topics

1Year 7

1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2Judaism

1.3Christianity

1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

2Year 8

2.1Islam

2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3Buddhism

2.4Sikhi

2.5Atheism

2.6Philosophy of Religion

2.7Disciplinary Knowledge

3Year 9

3.1Life & Death

3.2Extremism

3.3Equality

4Additional Concepts

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