Atman
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.2.8
Atman
The Upanishads
- The Upanishads are part of the Vedas. They cover such topics as the nature of God and the nature of existence.
- The key ideas found in the Upanishads are at the centre of Hindu belief.
- The Upanishads also teach that Hindus each have an ‘atman’.
Atman
- Atman means soul. It refers to the inner self or the individual.
- An Atman is who a person really is. No matter what changes occur in their appearance as they grow older.
- Our atman is eternal. It lives on after a person dies, and their body decays.
- Our atman can then be incorporated into another body.
Brahman
- Atman is identical to Brahman, the ultimate reality.
- In Hindu belief, the soul longs to be reunited with Brahman.
Moksha
- Hindus believe they will be reborn many times.
- They hope that along the way they will gradually gain more wisdom, live kinder lives, and free themselves from the desire for material things.
- Once they do, they free themselves from this cycle of rebirth and reach liberation (moksha).
- The soul becomes perfect and is no longer given a new physical form.
- The soul is reunited with Brahman.
Test yourself on Atman
What is the meaning of the term "atman"?
What is the ultimate goal of Hindus in relation to the cycle of rebirth?