World Religions - Buddhism and Reincarnation

BUDDHISM AND REINCARNATION By: Silva Redigonda Buddhism and Reincarnation Reincarnation is a concept beyond the understanding of many Christians who believe that there is only one life to live. Buddhism is becoming popular in North American. This paper will define reincarnation as it pertains to Buddhism and it will also be compared to reincarnation as viewed by Hinduism. Reincarnation should be examined by the most skeptic since there are numerous recorded cases where knowledge of a previous life cannot be easily dismissed. This too shall be depicted. Buddha said there is no soul. Buddha used an image of a flame being passed from candle to candle to understand his concept of reincarnation. “There is a chain of causation threading each life to those that have led up to it and those that will follow... It is possible to stop this rebirth of living different existences if one “wishes wholeheartedly to do so” (Smith, p 151). If the person now has a comfortable life, this is a reward of goodness performed in the past and present life. Those experiencing misery is a result of evil they have committed in previous existences or are committing in their present life. The individual is totally responsible for the life he is experiencing. At any given time, a minority demonstrate the ability to escape the “wheel of life” by entering a state of nirvana (a positive meaning includes bliss, release from desire etc..A negative meaning includes a state of extinction and nothingness). The karma (The good and evil effect of one’s action which is carried along to the next rebirth) of most beings necessitate their rebirth in any of the numerous heavens or hells (Masumian, pp 51 and 54). Reincarnation did not begin with Buddhism, Hinduism which is considered one of oldest religious systems in the world believes in reincarnation (Ma’sumian, p 1). However similar the two religions are, there are also differences involving the concepts of reincarnation. Buddhism is only concerned with personal eschatology as is Hinduism. There is no collective destiny for humanity as there is for Christianity. The Hindu shares the belief of countless rebirths of humans in a spectrum of evil to goodness but unlike the Buddhist believes in the human soul (atman). Individual souls (jivas) enter the world mysteriously and make their way through the universe until they break free into the limitless atmosphere of illumination (liberation). They begin as the souls of the simplest forms of life and do not vanish with the death of their original bodies (Smith, p 63). Hindus understanding of reincarnation also differs from that of Buddhism. Hindu doctrine of rebirth is attributed to Karma which is the consequences of actions in previous lives. However, the Buddhist maintains that rebirth is due to Tanha, “as long as the wish to be a separate self persisted, that wish would be granted (Smith, p 151). Reincarnation does not belong to Buddhism or Hinduism alone. In a 1981 US gallup poll it was determined that in the general population 23 % believed in reincarnation. In a 2005 US gallup poll, 20 % of the population believed in reincarnation. Though there appears to be a decrease of belief, a margin of error is to be considered. Regardless, there is no doubt that almost a quarter of the population believes in some form of reincarnation. Children Who Remember Previous Lives is a text based on a study, drawing on the information of more than 2, 500 cases children who appear to remember some type of past life. This ranges from phobias occurring in relation to a previous life ( Stevenson, p182) to the announcing of dreams in the selection of the next incarnation (Stevenson, p243) What is most baffling is the ability to speak a language not know to the youth (Stevenson, p 127). Reincarnation cannot be readily dismissed or confined to a particular religion. Reincarnation may be a mystery for some but it does require attention. I have had two professors at different times who I respected very much who were both Buddhists. Though I have never had a client who experienced any type of reincarnation, as a student pastoral counselor and/or therapist I need to be open and prepared for the possibility. Though I myself do not believe in reincarnation, I need to keep my mind open to the possibility. There is much humanity does not understand. Hinduism and Buddhism are both old and respected religions. Their beliefs should not be taken lightly. Religions seem to have some basis of mythological similarity. How much do we know is a fact and not a myth? Reincarnation is not confined to religion. When children speak with knowledge that they cannot possibly know than one must take notice. Life is a mystery and so is death and any afterlife.