ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the central doctrines of the Brahaman system, karma, punarjanma, and moksha, and evaluates how the Lingayat religion and social order transcend the framework. The original Hindu social order, divided along the classical varna lines is split into countless jati groups. The central identifying characteristic of a Hindu is his caste membership, and the scriptural texts he respects and follows are the Vedas, which are claimed to originate from the mouth of God. He holds in reverence the notions of dharma, karma, punarjanma, and moksha, enshrined in the Vedas. The doctrine of karma can be traced back to the time of the Upanisads, which can be dated as belonging at least to 3,000 B.C. The doctrine of karma looks very simple and easy to grasp, but on closer examination it reveals itself to be a complex concept, containing compressed layers of ideas.
