Editing Salvation (section)

== Indian religions ==
{{Main|Moksha|Nirvana|Enlightenment in Buddhism}}

[[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]] share certain key concepts, which are interpreted differently by different groups and individuals.{{sfn|Sherma|Sarma|2008|p=239}} In these religions one is not liberated from sin and its consequences, but from the ''[[saṃsāra]]'' (cycle of rebirth) perpetuated by passions and delusions and its resulting [[karma]].{{sfn|Tiwari|1983|p=210}} They differ however on the exact nature of this liberation.{{sfn|Tiwari|1983|p=210}}

Salvation is always self-attained in [[Indian religions]], and a more appropriate term would be ''[[moksha]]'' ('liberation'){{sfn|Tiwari|1983|p=210}} or ''mukti'' ('release'). This state and the conditions considered necessary for its realization is described in early texts of Indian religion such as the [[Upanishads]] and the [[Pāli Canon]], and later texts such the [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali]] and the [[Vedanta]] tradition.{{sfn|Sherma|Sarma|2008}} ''Moksha'' can be attained by ''[[sādhanā]]'', literally 'means of accomplishing something'.<ref>V. S. Apte. ''A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary''. p. 979.</ref> It includes a variety of disciplines, such as [[yoga]] and ''dhyana'' ([[meditation]]).

[[Nirvana]] is the profound peace of mind that is acquired with ''moksha''. In [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], it is the state of being free from [[suffering]]. In [[Hindu philosophy]], it is union with the [[Brahman]] ([[King of the gods|Supreme Being]]). The word literally means 'blown out' (as in a candle) and refers, in the Buddhist context, to the blowing out of the fires of desire, aversion, and delusion,<ref name="Gombrich" />{{sfn|Snelling|1987}} and the imperturbable stillness of mind acquired thereafter.<ref name="Gombrich">[[Richard Gombrich]], ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.'' Routledge</ref>

In [[Theravada Buddhism]] the emphasis is on one's own liberation from samsara.{{sfn|Snelling|1987}} The [[Mahayana]] traditions emphasize the ''[[bodhisattva]]'' path,{{sfn|Snelling|1987}} in which "each Buddha and Bodhisattva is a redeemer," assisting the Buddhist in seeking to achieve the redemptive state.<ref name="JE">Joseph Edkins, ''Chinese Buddhism'' (1893), p. 364.</ref> The assistance rendered is a form of self-sacrifice on the part of the teachers, who would presumably be able to achieve total detachment from worldly concerns, but have instead chosen to remain engaged in the material world to the degree that this is necessary to assist others in achieving such detachment.<ref name="JE" />