What does samsaric mean?
Samsaric is an adjective relating to samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth central to Hindu and Buddhist thought. It may describe the process itself, as in “the samsaric cycle,” or human existence understood as repeatedly passing through birth, aging, death, and renewed life. In philosophical and religious writing, the word often carries the implication that ordinary existence is conditioned by change, impermanence, and attachment to transient worldly conditions. It can also evoke the broader world of worldly life when contrasted with liberation or enlightenment. Because samsaric is a specialized derivative rather than everyday vocabulary, it is most often encountered in discussions of philosophy, religion, literature, and comparative spirituality.
adjectiveRelating to samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, or to existence within that cycle.
- Relating to samsara or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
- Relating to worldly, transient, or conditioned existence within that cycle.
"The novel explores the samsaric struggles of a family across successive lives."
"The painting evokes the samsaric nature of human life through recurring figures and changing seasons."
"According to the teaching, attachment to temporary things perpetuates samsaric existence."
Samsaric turns the profound idea of life unfolding across lifetimes into a concise description of the everyday world of change and impermanence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does samsaric come from?
The word is derived from Sanskrit saṃsāra, meaning “world,” “course,” or “cycle of existence,” and is associated with the repeated passage through birth, death, and rebirth. Its suffix -ic forms an English adjective expressing a relation to samsara. The related Sanskrit-derived term samsarin denotes a being subject to samsara, so the English adjective ultimately reflects the same Sanskrit source.
How samsaric is actually used
A specialized, usually formal or philosophical term, most common in writing about Hindu and Buddhist concepts. It is not normally used in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with samsaric
Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, whereas samsaric is an adjective describing something connected with that cycle.