What is moksha?
Moksha is a concept in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism that refers to liberation or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is considered the ultimate goal of spiritual and religious practice. Moksha is believed to be the state of eternal bliss, freedom, and enlightenment, where one's soul becomes one with the ultimate reality or divine consciousness. It is said to involve the liberation of the soul from the cycle of reincarnation and the end of all worldly suffering and desires. The path to attain moksha may vary in different traditions, but it generally involves self-realization, knowledge, moral conduct, and spiritual practice such as meditation and devotion.
Is it becoming one with brah,an, the caste of priests, the first se5 of sacred hymns, or a teacher in Hinduism
No, Moksha is not specifically about becoming one with the Brahman (the ultimate reality) or the caste of priests. In Hinduism, Moksha is the liberation of the individual soul from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara), achieving union with the divine or cosmic consciousness. It is a state of realization and transcendence where one attains spiritual liberation and freedom from worldly attachments and suffering. While the caste system is an integral part of Hindu society, Moksha is not limited to any particular caste. It is a goal that can be pursued by individuals from any caste or background. Additionally, Moksha is not specifically about becoming a teacher, but rather about the liberation of the individual soul from the cycle of existence.
But if you had to choose one since this is only middle school history-
If we had to simplify the concept for a middle school history perspective, then it could be said that Moksha is the goal of Hinduism to achieve unity or oneness with the ultimate reality (Brahman) through spiritual practice and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is a state of freedom and enlightenment where one's soul is liberated from suffering and attachments.
So become one with the Brahman
Yes, in simplified terms, one aspect of Moksha in Hinduism can be understood as the goal of becoming one with the ultimate reality or Brahman. It involves transcending the cycle of birth and death and achieving unity with the divine consciousness. However, it's important to note that this is a complex and nuanced concept that goes beyond just becoming one with Brahman. It involves self-realization, liberation from attachments, and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.
What did siddartha Gautama do after seeing old age, sickness, death, and finally a holy man in the city streets?
After witnessing old age, sickness, death, and a holy man in the city streets, Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha, decided to renounce his life of luxury and embark on a spiritual quest to seek the answers to the problem of human suffering. He left his palace, his family, and worldly possessions behind and became an ascetic, practicing severe self-mortification and extreme fasting in his search for enlightenment.
However, Siddhartha Gautama eventually realized that extreme asceticism was not the path to enlightenment and that there must be a middle way between indulgence and self-mortification. He then abandoned his ascetic practices and began practicing meditation under a Bodhi tree. After deep introspection and meditation, he finally achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, or the awakened one.
Following his enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching and spreading his insights and teachings to others. He founded a community of monks and nuns, known as the Sangha, and traveled extensively, delivering discourses, known as Dhamma talks or sermons, and guiding people towards the path of liberation from suffering. His teachings formed the foundation of Buddhism.