Understanding Hinduism in The World’s Wisdom

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In the chapter on Hinduism in Philip Novak’s book The World’s Wisdom the section titled “The Transmigration of the Soul” describes the Hindu concept of reincarnation, the wheel of life, and ultimately becoming one with god. The lines in this passage very concisely describe the Hindu concepts of Brahman, Atman, Samsara, Karma, Maya and Moksha (Molloy). I believe that these concepts are at the core of all of the expressions of the Hindu religion; which makes understanding this paragraph the key to having a basic understanding of the Hindu religion.
The first line of this passage talks about how “The soul is born and unfolds into a body with dreams and desires and the food for life” (Novak). My interpretation is that this is referring the Hindu notions of Atman and Maya. Atman is the beginning, our never changing non-material self, not recognized by race, gender or species. The term unfolds means to open in stages, so when the soul enters into a body, it would take time to fully express into the physical self. The dreams and desires is Maya, or the illusion. It is at this stage that May...

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