What is the Concept of Atman? (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Atman, the spirit of vision, is never born and never dies. Before him there was nothing, and his is one for evermore. Never-born and eternal, beyond time gone or to come he does not die when the bodies dies’ (Katha Upanishad 2.18)

To explain Brahman and the atman to his son, Svetaketu, his father asked him to put a lump of salt in water overnight. In the morning, Svetaketu could not find the salt as it had dissolved. The water all tasted salty but could not be seen. His father said, ‘In the same way, O my son, you cannot see the Atman, but in truth is here. Brahman, or the spirit of the whole universe, is like an invisible and subtle essence (Chandogya Upanishad 6.12)

Worked Example

Explain two ways in which belief in the atman influences Hindus today

[4 marks]

Answer:

Hindus believe that the atman is eternal and therefore they believe that when they die, the atman lives on and so the way they live their lives influences what happens after death (2 marks)

Hindus believe that the atman is Brahmin meaning that they are more likely to value all life if God is within every living thing (2 marks)

Reasoning:

Two correct reasons with relevant explanation

Exam Tip

The permanent nature of the atman relates to Hindu beliefs about reincarnation, karma and the cycle of samsara

Learn these key terms and how they relate to each other