Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
CU Hindu Cultural Society Information Sheet Reincarnation: Background It is fair to say that reincarnation is a common tenet of all the diverse strands of Hinduism. In general, Hindus believe that after death, their soul will transmigrate to a new body in order to be reborn. This obviously requires a belief in a non-physical entity (the soul). The circumstances into which one is reborn are believed to be based upon one’s actions in previous lives. This is Karma. The body into which one is reborn need not be human. One can be reborn as an animal, for example. The purpose for Hindus is to live such a life as to escape the cycle of rebirth. However pleasurable human life is, there will always be at least some pain and misery. By living a dutiful and devoted life, it is believed that one can leave the cycle. This process is sometimes known as ‘attaining salvation, or moksha’. Some refer to it as merging with the Ultimate, or Absolute. Whichever terms are used, the meaning is the same; the soul has been freed from the shackles of earthly life. Whilst reincarnation is referred to in the Vedas and Upanishads, the most fundamental references to reincarnation occur in the Bhagavad-Gita. The following were all said by the Lord Krishna; Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings, nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. No-one is able to destroy the imperishable soul. As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood, to youth, to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. Just as a man discards old clothes and puts on new clothes, the soul discards worn out bodies and wears new ones. Reincarnation is enjoying increasing popularity in the West, especially amongst scientists, who see reincarnation as THE solution; the way to unite science and religion. For example, the theory of evolution is compatible with the notion of reincarnation, but not the Old Testament Creation. There are others who see reincarnation as fantastic as many other religious claims, and therefore do not believe in reincarnation. Many people define reincarnation in subtly different ways. For example, some believe that transmigration of souls is confined within the human species, but such an argument is out of favour; as the growing world population would suggest that new souls are constantly being produced. It is fair to say that most definitions of reincarnation are more similar than they are different, however. The important point to note is that there are arguments both for and against the concept of reincarnation. Certain arguments are convincing for some, but not for others. On one hand, there are people who find the idea of reincarnation intuitive; but on the other, there are those who find it just too incredible. Not everyone is at one of these extremes, however, as many are unsure or are intermediate in their beliefs. First published for Epics on Trail Debate, 25th October 2004 www.cuhcs.org.uk