RELS 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Adharma, Dharma, Smriti
1 Feb 2017
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In upani ads, single life span replaced by a system of reincarnation or rebirth: sa s ra is this cycle of births, cyclic existence of life and death. Arises from upanishad by looking critically at rituals: the mechanism by which this cycle is regulated is karma. Karma: every action has an effect: mea(cid:374)s (cid:862)action, do(cid:863) Specifically related to speech and physical action, these shape your lifetime and the quality of your rebirth. It is the property that effects and perpetuates rebirth. In the upanishads single life span is replaced by a system of reincarnation. Different types of release from the cycle of birth/death/rebirth: one is mok a: liberation from sa s ra or rebirth through knowledge. Specifically, the (cid:862)ker(cid:374)el of k(cid:374)o(cid:449)ledge(cid:863) j (cid:374)a is the k(cid:374)o(cid:449)i(cid:374)g of the true (cid:374)ature of brah(cid:373)a(cid:374) a(cid:374)d t(cid:373)a(cid:374) These concepts are looked at through the speculative period and evolve and grow. Var ra(cid:373)a-dharma: the social laws of class and stage.
