Questions: What is the key connection between karma and reincarnation in Hinduism?

The answer is: the shaping of circumstances in the next life based on actions and intentions in the current life.

Explanation:

1. The belief in the existence of individual souls: While this is a fundamental concept in Hinduism, it is not the key connection between karma and reincarnation. The belief in individual souls (atman) is more about the nature of existence rather than the mechanism of karma and reincarnation.

2. The responsibility for others' lives and outcomes: This option is not accurate in the context of karma and reincarnation. Karma primarily deals with the actions and consequences of an individual's own deeds rather than the responsibility for others' lives.

3. The shaping of circumstances in the next life based on actions and intentions in the current life: This is the correct answer. In Hinduism, karma refers to the actions and intentions of an individual, which directly influence their future circumstances, including their reincarnation. Good actions and intentions can lead to a more favorable rebirth, while negative actions and intentions can result in a less favorable one. This cycle continues until the soul achieves moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

In summary, the key connection between karma and reincarnation in Hinduism is the belief that one's actions and intentions in the current life shape the circumstances of their next life.