Buddhist Rebirth as Symbol and Metaphor

[@DougsDharma]

🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook

[@timmorris4130]

The most intellectual response to rebirth I have heard in a long time

[@DougsDharma]

OK well I'll take that as a positive! 😄

[@chriskaplan6109]

Excellent treatment of a contentious topic, Doug. I too approach this topic from a secular or agnostic sense--it holds the most meaning and skillful use for me as a metaphor/symbol, and I approach karma in the same way (guiding my this-lifetime actions, agnostic on the rest). Thank you for another excellent lecture!

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome! Yes I also view karma the same way, I've done some videos on that in the past.

[@5piles]

apparently you can accomplish the arya truth of cessation of suffering with a shotgun to your face the good thing about spreading such physicalist propaganda is that you will experience severe despair when ones with actual genuine samadhi display themselves eg. fully scientifically monitored and tested tukdam in taipei 2020 already broke all modern biology and physicalism....but you will soon be seeing mass public displays that will cause you nothing but grief, with all access to assistance revoked :)

[@5piles]

also majority of the leading theravadin scholars accept an in-between state before the bhavanga reestablishes growth as a new lifeform/birth.

[@navid8078]

Very well said, the lack of logical and scientific evidence for any continuous individual life energy or soul or karmic system, makes many people consider Buddhism and other spiritual schools to be superstitious and false. But in fact, there are numerous beneficial and insightful practices and teachings in these traditions for the modern human being to have a more balanced and healthy body and mind. But these beneficial methods usually get shadowed by the odd and superstitious beliefs and they put people off of investigating these teachings. Having a rational and none-literal view on these concepts and putting the emphasis on what actually matters and is practical, will make these teachings to reach way more people. That was a great perspective presented in this video.🌹

[@malefsky]

We are lucky to have Doug as a voice of secular Buddhism. He was willing to take on this hot button issue and treats it with great balance and respect for all.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@afaegfsgsdef]

I would like to add another way that I have come to view rebirth from a secular perspective. I believe it has ties to emotions taking control of our actions (particularly in the context of Dependent Origination). For example, I might get upset with a friend one day. The next day I could apologize saying, "Sorry, I was *not myself* yesterday"... I lost myself in those emotions, and said things that were out of character... This view turns the various "realms of rebirth" in Buddhism into a metaphor for various emotional states which control our actions (animal world = reactionary, anger, rage, "flying off the handle", etc... "hungry ghost" = sadness/depression... "deva" = overcome with joy/ecstasy)

[@DougsDharma]

Oh yes for sure, that's one way to look at it. I've discussed such a viewpoint in some of my past videos.

[@miglriccardi]

Doug, your analytic and scholarly approach on this topic and others have saved my practice. I especially appreciate your mention of other secular Buddhists because it provides more support and sources to explore.

[@DougsDharma]

So glad to hear, thanks for letting me know! 😊

[@kheylemiquekheylemique3247]

Bravo for this courageous video. Your way of speaking is full of compassion and kindness, and you are careful not to emotionally upset people who might not agree with you, bravo it's very very beautiful, thank you so much...

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@MundaSquire]

Thank you, Doug. I am of your mind in this. Like you, I have no evidence and accept not (or attempting to) not attach to views. Also, I do not see what benefit belief in rebirth has for daily life. For me, it is all speculative and can be an endless web to get caught in. As one raised Catholic, the idea (or usefulness of) the idea of hell as a means for self-control, or for institutional control is something I did away with once, and I won't go there again. Your video here is one filled with understanding and compassion, like all of yours are. I always appreciate that and think that exemplifies the best and core of the Buddha's teaching.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much, very kind of you. 🙏

[@TheGoodMorty]

I take these kinds of things both literally and metaphorically and they have the same level of significance. Rebirth in the sense of the effects of my habits carrying on after my physical body dies seems obvious, and I could call it a literal interpretation of rebirth as well as saying rebirth would be quite a poetic way of describing that whole process.

[@TheGoodMorty]

Buddha said many times that there is no little dude driving around this body, we are the 5 aggregates for a while, then they fall apart after a while. This much can and should probably be taken literally by all Buddhists, all things are empty of self nature. But these fallen apart aggregates lay causes and conditions for new aggregates, not even a single but many, continuing for quite some time after they have stopped aggregating into what we previously and conventionally called a single human life. And when you realize this human life had all its causes and conditions set by countless generations of beings who were themselves aggregates, then it seems reasonable to call this one continuous Life. And to me, calling that Literal Rebirth is the same idea, just with the emphasis placed on acknowledging each incarnation and manifestation of that Life. I love the way Jack Kornfield says it tho idk if he was quoting anyone himself: "If Buddhism says there is no Self, then what is it that gets reborn?" "I'm sorry to say, but it's your bad habits."

[@DougsDharma]

Yes there is a literalness even to the metaphor.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"rebirth would be quite a poetic way of describing that whole process." in the case of rebirth in the pali canon, I think it would be a pretty odd form of poetry. Its an in depth, complex and technical metaphysical theory, framework and set of claims.

[@playmesalsa]

Min 2:28. It is clear that Bhikkhu Brahmali has a problem with attachment. He is heavily attached to the idea of reincarnation. I hope that one day he gets enough wisdom to let go of attachments to ideas... they are just thoughts we resist to let go. Replacing the word ''REINCARNATION'' with ''CONTINUATION'' helps to get rid of unnecessary mysticism, since everything does continue, matter can not get created or destroyed; and ideas also continue... Here we are talking about words spoken 2.600 years ago. It is also interesting to notice the similarities between East and West, The literalists in the Buddhist world are the equivalent of the evangelicals in Christianity; and all this is fine, is just what it is. Namaste.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@jacopoziroli3846]

I tend to think about this kind of things as metaphor, or in analytical point of view, and not in a religius way: but your explation are always an Illumination. To me, important events in our life act likes a "rebirth" to us, but in the same time we need also a "death" of our mind/spirit, to reconfirm ourself as ourself. After this two moments, we reach a "synthesis" of who we are, but to move on we need another rebirth, so the cycle continues. It's a dialectic way of thinking. We need to be other self to confirm we are ourself, and this is possible only with a symbolic death. I also like your ethic view about this topic. Keep it up, Doug! I love you contents.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much, yes you're right that the 'death' occurs too. It can be difficult or painful.

[@xiaomaozen]

Thank you for another splendid video, Doug! 🐱🙏 I'm very interested in that "moment-to-moment-rebirth-theory" and would like to dive deeper into it. Is there something you can recommend in this regard? Books, articles...?

[@DougsDharma]

That's a good question, I've heard a number of dharma teachers in different lineages talk about such things, but I don't recall any specific books or articles about it. I'm sure there at least have been some articles over the years. If anyone has references feel free!

[@noki8001]

I opened to comment exactly for the same reason. From experience, the rebirth of ego happens moment to moment, we do not experience that exactly because of the "stickiness of the mind", that merges old-self and present-self. Would be nice to read about this. To realize that was very, very energetic consuming.

[@RLekhy]

@@noki8001 There is no such thing Ego or Soul in Buddhism. Buddha called the conditionings of Mind and Matter that leads to rebirth. We are made of attakalapas or atoms so whenever the forms and minds are conditioned the rebirth happens.

[@RLekhy]

I would recommend at least two books for basics to know the complicated issues. The Manual of Insight by Ledi Sayadaw and The Theravada Abhidhamma by Prof. Y. Karunadasa.

[@daffodil614]

"Yesterday I died" by Yenkuai Chuang,Mindfulness journal, vol. 12 (2021), 2354

[@henry-sk5rf]

This was so clear. Really helpful for understanding as you said controversial topic. Easy to get lost in but you shine light through it so that many aspects can be seen. Thank you. Wish all of you 21:55 well.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much. 🙏

[@yorkinwanya2066]

What I learned from this particular video lecture is that any "eye-opener" event/experience can be treated as a symbolic or metaphorical rebirth. I notice you mentioned Carl Sagan in several videos on Intro to Secular Buddhism and I wonder if this is not a coincidence :D I remember how Sagan in his "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage", in one of the later episodes (probably Ep 9 or 10), discusses the creation of the universe. He suggests that we skip the "created by God" answer and simply extend the idea that the universe had always existed, but perhaps in different forms, going through cycles of rebirth. (Though I think he referred more to hinduistic teachings.)

[@DougsDharma]

Right well I think current cosmological notions of the beginnings of the universe are going to be speculative, and there are plenty of cosmologists willing to speculate given current evidence. Personally I wouldn't concern myself about that too much, except as a fun way to think about possibilities. Love Carl Sagan though!

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Well said, thank you! Even when I have some personal experience that seems fabulous, I would doubt the truth of the experience. Our body-mind generates all kinds of wild feelings, images, and ideas during training; yet that doesn’t make them “real” or true. And, of course, none of it should interfere with a practice of clarity and freedom either way. 😂❤

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@dreamingbutterfly1]

I only skimmed the book, but this idea sounds similar to Pema Chödrön's idea in How We Live Is How We Die, where she uses the Vajrayana bardos as metaphor for change and new beginnings in this life, with the goal of helping the reader face life and death more skillfully.

[@DougsDharma]

Ah interesting, I haven't read that book.

[@lelandstronks319]

Thank you for your thoughts and ideas.☸️👍

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@ZenTeaNow]

Fair,, balanced and sensible treatment. Thank you.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@Moro-Goro-300]

The idea of literal rebirth is the only aspect that keeps me from calling myself a Buddhist (in a religious sense) but rather see it as a philosophy, but since I dont really care about labels thats fine by me

[@TomDavidMcCauley]

Yeah, labels are one of the main stumbling blocks to awakening

[@N0rt4t3m]

Me too. Rebirth and karma.

[@Moro-Goro-300]

@@N0rt4t3m Karma is very much real imo, although not the extent traditional budhism preaches

[@N0rt4t3m]

@Moro-Goro-300 I haven't seen solid proof of either. I have felt something feeling somewhat like karma, but not quite and I don't have proof. I have gone through thought experiments that entertains something like rebirth or reincarnation but still no proof.

[@Moro-Goro-300]

@@N0rt4t3m I hold the door open for my friend in school, he says thanks runs ahead and opens the next door for me, things like that are my definition of karma, its no greater power that forces people to act a certain way towards yo6 or events to occur in your favor, a lot of times you wont be receiving "good karma" from others even tho you give it to them, but more often than not you will just as a response to you being kind

[@josecollmontserrat5663]

Thank you Doug. Simply brilliant.

[@DougsDharma]

You're most welcome, glad you found it worthwhile.

[@mcgee227]

As a practitioner of Zen, I thank you for this. Whether it is true or not, it's meaningless in the end. It's not something that should be focused on.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@missmerrily4830]

I definitely think that every breath is a death and rebirth. Reincarnation is something quite different to rebirth and I think it's the traditional notion of reincarnation, not rebirth, which is a stumbling block to some. I love Thich Nhat Hanh's children's meditation 'A Cloud Never Dies' (also to be found on KZbin), as it simply and clearly explains the concept of rebirth in terms of the fact that's what's here in the universe, stays in the universe and recycles, over and over again.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes that's a more naturalist conception of rebirth, one I think we can all accept.

[@chrisjampolski5019]

That clip helped me a lot too and I also see rebirth and reincarnation as seperate. Karma is a whole different ball game Sadhguru’s book Karma is an excellent book in explaining this subject.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@chrisjampolski5019 rebirth and reincarnation are two different english words for the same thing. Neither are accurate translations of the pali

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"I definitely think that every breath is a death and rebirth. Reincarnation is something quite different to rebirth and I think it's the traditional notion of reincarnation, not rebirth, which is a stumbling block to some. I love Thich Nhat Hanh's children's meditation 'A Cloud Never Dies' (also to be found on KZbin), as it simply and clearly explains the concept of rebirth in terms of the fact that's what's here in the universe, stays in the universe and recycles, over and over again." this doesn't resemble rebirth in the pali canon at all though. Rebirth in the pali canon does have the connotations you seem to be associating with reincarnation. Reincarnation and rebirth are the same thing though, westerners have oddly decided that one english word for the same thing refers to the hindu theory /doctrine of reincarnation/rebirth and the other refers to the buddhist version . They are different, but you can mostly just as well call the buddhist version reincarnation. Neither rebirth or reincarnation are accurate translations of the pali but yes, the doctrine does have the connotations of the words 'rebirth' and "reincarnation" that westerners have such a hard time with /such an aversion to

[@michelledunford7718]

Great video. Thank you! A new idea for me. I feel it aligns with my personal goal/learning in Internal Family Systems of acknowledging and healing parts of myself that have different views/reactions - ie aligns to having some thoughts/clinging at one point in time that can be healed at a later time & the depression/happiness moments. Be well!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for the comment!

[@lmansur1000]

I am not sure if you mentioned the fact that there are repercussions to bad behaviors. No one gets away with it for they either become unhappy or uptight on the inner plane or "what they sow, they shall reap" - i.e. there is a result to their actions and behaviors. That is the law of nature. That would be karma in this present reality - and that is why it is hard to know that people who have done bad things and die will get away with it. So, truthfully, we don't know. Right?

[@DougsDharma]

Sure, we don't know what results someone may gain from any particular good or bad behavior. We can know that generally there are certain intentions and actions that are skillful, helpful, and healthy, and others that generally are not.

[@Giantcrabz]

sometimes evil people get away with their crimes. Henry Kissinger died in his 90s and never faced real justice for example.

[@donovansnyder2898]

Einstein conceptualized space time as a loaf of bread. Each instant, past, present and future, is frozen as it were, and all such instants exist unchanging as our space-time, and when we take a slice in the loaf that instant is already set and unchanging. I suppose one can see this as a birth and death in each instant or one can see this as a universe that is just there when we slice the loaf. In some ways the latter leads to super determinism which is a concept that fascinates me. At least in this slice that I am in (realizing that there is no self) is just the way the universe is. Thank you for your thoughtful and thought-provoking videos.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes Einstein's notion of spacetime is mind-bending.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

he was talking about the physical world though where as Buddha was talking about karma and moments of consciousness when he talked about rebirth, not moments of physical time.

[@TheWayOfRespectAndKindness]

A skillful person is free from the carrot and the stick. No longer pulled or driven, in harmony with nature, they live in peace. Freedom may be from a reality or a delusion. The escape from the "cycle of birth and death", as the Buddha taught, may have been simply the escape from the delusion rather than a reality. May we live skillfully today, and learn from our experiences. Namaste 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@Samphappalapa-56912]

Doug, you're a legend

[@DougsDharma]

Oh just trying to teach a little dharma ... 🙏

[@michakoodziej5741]

Dear Doug, thank you for this video! Do you have any read recommendations for beginners? Best regards

[@DougsDharma]

I have a playlist on books that you might want to take a look at: kzbin.info/aero/PL0akoU_OszRjBKHxKj98qtSmcLpBmDWkL

[@aleksadenic9915]

Nice video, what is your opinion on the book the doctrine of awakening ( a book about early buddhist teachings) by julius evola?

[@DougsDharma]

I'm not familiar with that book.

[@Giantcrabz]

Evola is trash

[@smkunder1]

Being new to this , how is one to know which view is the right pursuit.

[@martynsnan]

This life journey is about letting go and flowing , not clinging to ideas and definite answers. External advice may be a help or a hindrance when taken as fact. What is more important is what it generates in you. One second of your experience has a bigger impact and is worth more than all the books and teachings. The good news is that, in worldly terms, every event in our lives happens in a place we call 'here' at a time we call 'now'. We need only give our attention to each moment.

[@JP-pf7jz]

I studied the basics of Theravada school first (at a high level) then Mahayana. I personally chose the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn as it focused more on what we can do here and now. Best to you on your journey.

[@DougsDharma]

There is no easy answer to that question. Each of us will find a pursuit we consider "right". Ask yourself if it is wise and helpful.

[@stand-al0ne]

Your point of view is what it is and you are skilled explaining yourself, but for me it sure was a surprising point to your! Dharma. For myself i find such twists tend to arise from the west and specifically communities as you are a part of yourself. 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

It's not only in the west though.

[@jean-philippeprefontaine6687]

Bonjour Doug, Have you ever read "Life Before Life" by dr. Jim Tucker from Virginia university ? Seems hard not to believe in reincarnation after this reading...I would love to hear your thoughts on this book. You are the best !

[@DougsDharma]

I haven't read it, though I am familiar with anecdotal evidence of supposedly miraculous or unexplained phenomena from many world religions.

[@jean-philippeprefontaine6687]

It is said (in the tibetan mahayana tradition, at least) that reaching the 9th stage of calm abiding, meditators can perform "miraculous" or "magical" phenomenas. Not only buddhist practitioners can perform those kind of actions, everyone who reaches perfect calm from the mind can produce them. No big deal. Concerning professor Tucker, maybe some day you will like to challenge your believes concerning rebirth. The methodology he is using to do his researches seems to me unbiased and absolutely solid from a scientific point of view. It seem to me that we can no longer speak about "anecdotal evidences"...I would have loved you to read those researches and help me to invistigate this issue. Maybe some other day. Thanks. Have a good day 😊

[@andrewtom8407]

To me, the topic of "rebirth" is pretty much a "self and non-self" topic from a different perspective in Buddhism. This becomes pretty clear to me with the Buddha's quote you presented at the end of the video. While "non-self" is one of the main practices in Buddhism, when one clings on the notion of one's "rebirth", one is clinging on the notion of "self".

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I think that’s part of it, for sure.

[@JuanPreciado87]

I have doubts regarding the concepts of insubstantiality and Buddhist rebirth, probably based on my misinterpretation or ignorance, but I am not convinced by certain things as I have seen them explained. It is sometimes said to take care of our karma, so as not to be reborn, for example, as a deva or demon. Apart from the fact that we agreed categorically that there was no me... how is the matter going to depend on me, if they say that in everything there is a dependent origin and co-emergence? Then they tell me that no, it is not me who is reborn (although I usually read that a certain person was reborn or will be reborn in such a way), but rather it is my conscience. But if consciousness has always been present (although constantly changing) how will it be reborn? By the way, despite the change that occurs in it, given that infinity, wouldn't it be expected that there is some substantial element that maintains it? The way I see it, surely as I said, wrong, is: there is a consciousness in constant change, without any identity or essence, which is not reborn, but inhabits new bodies infinitely in time, without beginning or end. . I don't know where it is or what allows it, but it is eternal. Forgive my boldness and ignorance, but it is a topic that does not fit me even though I try to make it fit, because otherwise I love Buddhism. I hope you can give me an clarifying answer. Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

For myself, I prefer to leave aside such questions and focus on a practice for this life. 🙏

[@JuanPreciado87]

@@DougsDharma is good idea, but for me is impossible don't think about that. So, many thanks 🙏🏻

[@michaelthompson7217]

i was vexed by the question as you described. putting aside the question doesn’t really work for me because i felt like i knew rebirth has something to do with practice. Cracking The Walnut is the only book i have read thus far that alleviated my vexation with the topic. maybe for you it will do the same. i read it cover to cover and then thought about rebirth in the light of those teachings, and i think i have a sufficient answer now and am comfortable with separating rebirth from reincarnation. reincarnation can be true or false but its not the same as rebirth, and if it is true then its just another expression of rebirth, as death and birth are too. maybe it will help you too

[@adityadhanvij5985]

You are very right 💯

[@DougsDharma]

🙏

[@835FPV]

In addition to the way we can affect the world after we pass, there is a biological concept I think of regarding rebirth; that our bodies are made of molecules that used to be other things and will be part of other things after we die and decay. We are star stuff! Additionally, I believe there was a recent study that showed that our DNA can change and/or mutate as we live depending on certain factors. My understanding is very limited, but it would make sense that we could then change aspects of our biology that gets passed down to our children. I think it’s reasonable to believe that the Buddha and others of his time intuited this through their observations of the world around them. The tradition of reincarnating into a “lesser” being if you failed morally was already popular so it was pulled into the concept of rebirth. I don’t know if that’s true but I think it’s certainly possible. They could have been wrong on key details but nailed the overall concept. Either way, interesting stuff and a great video!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"The tradition of reincarnating into a “lesser” being if you failed morally was already popular so it was pulled into the concept of rebirth." Buddha was very critical and skeptical of other traditions in his culture, he didn't just accept them because they were part of the culture and society he lived in.

[@zzzzhu9427]

I guess practice (i.e. meditation) sometimes can be more important than theory. So, whether someone believes in rebirth literally or not, it's okay as long as it helps them in their practice and makes them more compassionate.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@ganesh3108]

I had an idea what if the sankharas that are transformed are the DNA which is built each individual life form in its life time with different habit patterns. But it doesn't represent all the views about rebirth.

[@michaelthompson7217]

in my changing views, the concepts of birth and death are actually metaphors for rebirth, not the other way around. i don’t think i have yet touched this teaching fully but i feel like i am starting to know it. i believe this is the true teaching and the truth of reality - to exit the conception of the four negations, birth and death.

[@hansenmarc]

The Buddha said that the precise workings of karma are imponderable. I would hope that that alone would help people shed unskillful beliefs around victim-blaming attributed to karma. While I remain skeptical of accounts of rebirth or reincarnation, there are some puzzling cases that have been researched intensively that have made me more open to the possibility. The University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies, led by psychiatrist Jim Tucker, studies reincarnation through research on children's claims of past lives. Tucker's work is based on cases collected by his predecessor, Ian Stevenson, who investigated 3,000 childhood cases over 40 years. Stevenson believed reincarnation was the survival of personality after death, but did not suggest a physical way this might happen. They even studied birth marks related to injuries sustained in previous lives.

[@rnbrineg]

Is the bardo a thing in Mahayana traditions, or just Tibetan Buddhism

[@DougsDharma]

“Bardo” is a Tibetan term but there are similar ideas in many Buddhist schools.

[@archiekennedy4741]

Considering the reality and experience of consciousness and then to believe it is produced by a frail organism is fantastical thinking to some of us. The truth is the truth. It’s independent of what you believe or what I believe.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@alakso777]

Wonderful! 🙏🏼

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much!

[@tanned06]

Without believing the existence of rebirth that is founded in the law of karma (that is what the fundamental right view is), there is no way one can truly appreciate and take attaining Nirvana as something giving a definite solution to end all suffering.

[@DougsDharma]

How is one to truly believe it without seeing it?

[@tanned06]

@@DougsDharma Please check out MN95 the Canki Sutta - the basis of faith is crucial in supporting practice (zeal and exertion) for something to be verified later by own direct knowledge. This applies to this central doctrine of rebirth. In many ancient texts, Dharma in fact cannot be fully grasped by reasoned cogitation, logical inference, etc., but direct knowledge. That is the characteristics of Dharma include ehipassiko (come and see) and to be witnessed by the wise each for themselves. And there are ways stated in the suttas and Visuddhimagga that one can directly verify the truth of rebirths - the knowledge of recollecting past abodes built on the basis of the fourth Jhana. In fact, even in this modern time, I personally have known quite a number of practitioners who are able to develop their mind to the extent that enables them to empirically validate it. There are still living meditation traditions and meditation teachers who can teach us to obtain that kind of direct knowledge.

[@5piles]

@@DougsDharma for those incapable of clear reasoning they must rely on authority such as tukdam in taipei 2020 which was the first tukdam in the west to be scientifically monitored and tested. it is preferable however to rely on clear reasoning however, but for that you would need to go to the nalanda tradition and their commentaries and reliance on indian logical syllogistic debate format to counteract the various forms of physicalist metaphysics

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@DougsDharma why do you believe other things the Buddha taught which you havent seen?

[@catherinekasmer9905]

The areas I get stuck on are: I have no direct knowledge of my own rebirth or anyone else’s within my own consciousness; this isn’t a problem for me regarding whether or not rebirth exists per se. My issue is more that I’d like rebirth to be true because I am clinging to my sense of “self”. I’d like “me” to continue and that is a belief which is in contradiction to other Buddhist teachings. On the other hand, being raised in a rational secular scientific culture, I don’t actually believe rebirth is true. I simply see no evidence nor do I know anyone personally who claims to have such information. If it’s true, how come it can’t be verified easily? At this point I am simply mindful of this mental grasping and questioning and I hold the teachings on non self and rebirth more loosely until I develop a clearer understanding of reality and how I’m fitting into it. I’m working on it lol.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes exactly, we tend to cling to the idea of rebirth because we don't want to die! I discussed that aspect in a past video actually: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3O9f4hji86asJI

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"My issue is more that I’d like rebirth to be true because I am clinging to my sense of “self”. I’d like “me” to continue and that is a belief which is in contradiction to other Buddhist teachings." not really, they permit you to aspire for a good rebirth / future lifetime . "If it’s true, how come it can’t be verified easily? " where did you get the idea that things which are true can be verified easily ?

[@saigonotsuki]

I'm pretty much a traditional Buddhist, don't really have a problem with taking these teachings literally. But I don't really think one HAVE to take them to be a Buddhist, and I would add thinking of rebirth as only literal is not as skillful as considering the mind to be constantly dying and being reborn in every moment.

[@saigonotsuki]

@@lookatmepleasesir well, I'm not a great Buddhist scholar neither an enlightened person, but I've heard from more than one teacher the idea of rebirth as a way of speaking about the change of mental states or the more significant changes Doug mentioned in the video, like moving on from a stage in life or changing interests. It just makes Anatman more obvious, since realising the constant transitoriness of the idea of "I" shows how false this idea is.

[@maxvanderas]

Thanks for the video Doug !💙 IMHO rebirth is a key part of the original teachings, probably because the notion of karma pushes people to behave nice, to mind their actions. We may not like it in the west but if we start turning what we don't like into symbols and metaphors then why stop at rebirth ? anything can be a symbol, Jesu's resurrection can be a metaphor as well. Buddhism is full of supernatural claims, some schools embrace them others reject them, like not all Zen believes in rebirth either but they have some of Taoism in their mix which is certainly not Buddha's dharma either. What happens after death nobody knows, just like nobody can answer where do Buddhas go after enlightenment.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@LeonardoSantos-bf1vw]

In the beginning of my studies I have it very clear in my mind: the same way Jesus teachings was correpted along the time, a 2600 yo philosophie would be as well... Even the Buddha said his teachings will undergo corroption. The Buddha said that we could only end Dukka with "direct knowlegde". We, westerns, love to make conjectures and theories about things we just believe, having NO experience, or direct knowlegde, whatsoever. We love to see the world in our very arrogant manner. One of the first fetthers is "sceptical doubt": to doubt the claims of the Buddha, what He direct knew. Well, that's just my view. One among millions of others...

[@paulomoreira995]

Wonderfulll❤

[@DougsDharma]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@milkmanswife93696]

thanks ❤

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@michaelthompson7217]

read cracking the walnut by thich nat hahn. he explicitly says in the last chapters that transmigration (reincarnation) is the realm of popular faith buddhism and not a meaningful teaching for those of us looking deeper (deep buddhism). it is just a vehicle to describe the truth. obviously this view is outrageous to so many “traditionalists”. but if you are somewhat vexed by rebirth i would definitely read this book. i think it’s clear from this book that nagarjuna and many others were making the same arguments since antiquity, but now they are ignored or passed over by so many modern buddhists. reincarnation may or may not be, but it’s irrelevant to buddhism. i’m reluctant to spoil it, because this book so significantly changed my view. i’ll be reading nagarjuna next. rebirth is explicitly tied to dependent origination and it’s basically impossible to separate the two. so if you can understand dependent origination i think you can understand rebirth. i personally don’t think it’s a metaphor. rebirth is a moment to moment actual reality. i think at the end of this video doug starts to touch on the reality of it, though i am not yet sure: i have not experienced an exit from the duality of birth and death. but i certainly feel like it is directing me towards truth. rebirth is a concept beyond manifestation and disillusionment of the body. this is what the buddha taught deeply and what nagarjuna and thay expounded on. the reincarnation aspect could be viewed as an illustration or vehicle of teaching for those who didn’t yet understand given the worldview of the times. there was scant other way to communicate the evolution of the concepts given the vedic background. (sorry about my misuse of audience in this comment, when i say “you” im talking to readers, im sure doug is already maybe familiar with my train of thoughts here)

[@DougsDharma]

🙏

[@Hermit_mouse]

We’re “reborn” with every mood, but also in a much bigger way when we reach stream entry and each successive stage of enlightenment.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"We’re “reborn” with every mood, " we're not though, and the only need / reason / context for saying this seems to be the a rejection or agnosticism about literal rebirth and therefore, a perceived need to shoe horn rebirth onto impermanence as a metaphor. I would say, rebirth as a description or metaphor for life changes would have to take place over a much longer / larger scale then mood to mood or moment to moment.

[@Hermit_mouse]

@@lookatmepleasesir see if you still feel that way in a week. Or if you’re “reborn” into another perspective.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@Hermit_mouse I do see your point but you can just as well make the same point without bringing rebirth into it. It also has nothing to do with rebirth in the pali canon.

[@Hermit_mouse]

@@lookatmepleasesir you’re right. I guess until I have a direct experience of another life I just can’t jump on board. Have you?

[@lookatmepleasesir]

no I haven't, although I've had some really interesting dreams suggestive of other life times lived in the past. They're dreams though, not direct experiences of another life.

[@wikiemol2]

As a result of non-self, rebirth is a semantic concept. Its truth-hood depends on how you define the self in the moment. In this sense it is not quite correct to call it symbolic, metaphoric, literal, true or untrue. This is not to diminish rebirth as a concept, on the contrary, semantics is the whole point of understanding rebirth. For many, day to day life is suffering, while the moment of death is relief from suffering. For many others, the change in moments of our day to day lives is not suffering, while the moment of death is suffering. As such, If we insist rebirth is literally a journey between death and another birth, it is because we are avoiding thinking about our lives. If we insist rebirth is only a metaphor for the change in our day to day lives, it is because we are avoiding thinking about our death.

[@5piles]

non-self is not a denial of persons. the buddha didnt deny persons. he denied a self to persons ie. an unchanging, monolothic, independent essence or self to persons. the more sophisticated schools sautrantika on up have far superior self to be negated to persons, but we will leave the little baby theravadins alone for now.

[@paulomoreira995]

Doug, does the budha says something about How to develop interest into something/How to like something that boring?

[@DougsDharma]

Not to my knowledge. There are ways to provide urgency, such as a death contemplation, but that only works for certain subjects.

[@paulomoreira995]

@@DougsDharma thank you my fear friend

[@lookatmepleasesir]

focus on it for long enough. The more you put in the more you get out. I'm assuming you're asking for, the purpose of studies right?

[@paulomoreira995]

@@lookatmepleasesir yeah mainly for study, but for other repetitive tasks as well

[@szymborska]

It's hard to be an ideologue in a religion which tells you that letting go of that religion and moving on is its highest expression. In that sense Buddhism is a religion of transformation, and concepts that are important for step 1 are not the same for step 4. That's why a good guru is so important, because a book or video may be for someone else in another part of the process of waking up. What appear to be doctrinal contradictions are really just different recommendations depending on stages of development- ie just because breastfeeding is good for a human early in life, doesn't mean doctors recommend you stay there forever. Starting with the Heart Sutra is like giving a raw fish to in an infant. The mind/body are made ready for such teachings. Whatever "real" and "truthful" mean, concepts at each stage are "real"- for the students gaining insights from said teachings. Then, eventually, all concepts are let go of- and there's a resting in something beyond language. From there, everything pretty much sounds like poetry and contradiction, and a methodological or scientific understanding of these experiences will always miss something.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

Your channel is called Doug's Dharma, but isn't it Buddha's Dharma?

[@DougsDharma]

Well this is only my interpretation of the early Buddhist dharma. It's only one viewpoint. 🙏

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@DougsDharma your interpretation and your viewpoint. Buddha Dharma is not yours though, with respect

[@DougsDharma]

Of course, I have never said otherwise.

[@mooskamoo]

Interesting video and an intellectual understanding of the concepts is certainly helpful. But ultimately these issues can only be solved through practice and deep personal experience which is certainly possible. Clarity around rebirth is extremely profound but takes a lot of work to really dig down into but definitely worth the effort as once the insight is really clear it will not leave you. To me life and Buddhism simply don’t make sense without karma and rebirth, they are absolutely central pieces in the puzzle.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@BradyHansen81]

I have a question about this. To me rebirth makes perfect sense, science supports it. Allow me to explain The atoms that make up this planet came from a dead star. That’s rebirth. We arise from this earth, so we are also reborn stars. Our thoughts and feelings and memories are empty and die with us. There is no I to reincarnate. But, the merrit I accumulate will help whatever life form inherits my physical matter when I die, connecting them to the teachings and giving them a better life. We know energy can never be created or destroyed, it can only change form. So that’s reincarnation, the universe is one big recycling machine. It’s just not the part of us the ego likes that “continues on.” Thoughts?

[@lookatmepleasesir]

thats not rebirth

[@DougsDharma]

Yes this is a metaphorical way to understand rebirth, along the lines that BR Ambedkar also followed.

[@BradyHansen81]

@@DougsDharma thank you. This is why I love the sangha. I can check myself against those walking the same path 🙏

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"Our thoughts and feelings and memories are empty" so are atoms . Our thoughts and feelings generate karma "But, the merrit I accumulate will help whatever life form inherits my physical matter when I die, " how will it do that from your physical matter? Form is not consciousness, feeling or mental formations. "It’s just not the part of us the ego likes that “continues on.”" then there is no problem with rebirth. Remember rebirth is a cycle that Buddha dharma is trying to break. If there is no self-making involved, then it might as well be nibbana

[@BradyHansen81]

@@lookatmepleasesir it’s like the host says, I was using a metaphor to try and show the function of rebirth. Have you been to the caves where people have meditated for centuries? They buzz with energy. Sky burial is giving vultures a yogis body. To say matter will not be affected by merrit is to deny interconnection yes? 🙏

[@awarenessonly.]

Buddha siddarth Gautama was controversial during his time for denying existence of eternal immortal self and god as supreme creator and Controller. Rather he was known for ideas of impermanence emptiness and conditional arising. Buddha did talk about collective arising (samudaya). Buddhist idea of recreation is based on recycling and not rebirth because there is no self beyond constituent conditions. Ideas of rebirth and past birth karma were planted in Buddhism after 3rd or 4th Buddhist council meetings. It was conspiracy to weaken Buddhism by corrupting its core philosophy

[@NeoAnderson101]

Hi Doug 👋 Would you consider making a video about 'Devas' & 'Nagas' in Buddhism ☸️ ? - Where are they from ? What do they do ? What the heck do they want from us anyway ? 😂😇 Etc. Metaphor / Symbolism and Real / Phenomenological beliefs can be discussed. Thanks. 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

I'll have to think about that one, if I can figure out a way to do it I will. I've discussed Buddhist deities in the past in a few videos.

[@jamestse492]

What about people seeking rebirth in the Amithaba western pureland

[@DougsDharma]

What do you think?

[@briandixon7411]

I believe rebirth is literal. A minimum level of Sakadāgāmi (once-returner) is needed to realize this.

[@Giantcrabz]

how does a person have "past lives" but also non-self? Those seem incompatible

[@Dharmaku56]

From DN 15 Deep is this dependent co-arising, and deep its appearance. It's because of not understanding and not penetrating this Dhamma that this generation is like a tangled skein, a knotted ball of string, like matted rushes and reeds, and does not go beyond transmigration, beyond the planes of deprivation, woe, and bad destinations. "'From birth as a requisite condition come aging and death.' Thus it has been said. And this is the way to understand how from birth as a requisite condition come aging and death. If there were no birth at all, in any way, of anything anywhere - i.e., of devas in the state of devas, of celestials in the state of celestials, of spirits in the state of spirits, of demons in the state of demons, of human beings in the human state, of quadrupeds in the state of quadrupeds, of birds in the state of birds, of snakes in the state of snakes, or of any being in its own state - in the utter absence of birth, from the cessation of birth, would aging and death be discerned?" "No, lord." "Thus this is a cause, this is a reason, this is an origination, this is a requisite condition for aging and death, i.e., birth. Birth "'From becoming as a requisite condition comes birth.' Thus it has been said. And this is the way to understand how from becoming as a requisite condition comes birth. If there were no becoming at all, in any way, of anything anywhere - i.e., sensual becoming, form becoming, or formless becoming - in the utter absence of becoming, from the cessation of becoming, would birth be discerned?" "No, lord." "Thus this is a cause, this is a reason, this is an origination, this is a requisite condition for birth, i.e., becoming. Becoming "'From clinging as a requisite condition comes becoming.' Thus it has been said. And this is the way to understand how from clinging as a requisite condition comes becoming. If there were no clinging at all, in any way, of anything anywhere - i.e., clinging to sensuality, clinging to precepts and practices, clinging to views, or clinging to doctrines of the self - in the utter absence of clinging, from the cessation of clinging, would becoming be discerned?" "No, lord." "Thus this is a cause, this is a reason, this is an origination, this is a requisite condition for becoming, i.e., clinging. Clinging "'From craving as a requisite condition comes clinging.' Thus it has been said. And this is the way to understand how from craving as a requisite condition comes clinging. If there were no craving at all, in any way, of anything anywhere - i.e., craving for sensuality, craving for becoming, craving for no becoming - in the utter absence of craving, from the cessation of craving, would clinging be discerned?" "No, lord." "Thus this is a cause, this is a reason, this is an origination, this is a requisite condition for clinging, i.e., craving. Craving "'From feeling as a requisite condition comes craving.' Thus it has been said. And this is the way to understand how from feeling as a requisite condition comes craving. If there were no feeling at all, in any way, of anything anywhere - i.e., feeling born of contact at the eye, feeling born of contact at the ear, feeling born of contact at the nose, feeling born of contact at the tongue, feeling born of contact at the body, or feeling born of contact at the intellect - in the utter absence of feeling, from the cessation of feeling, would craving be discerned?" "No, lord." "Thus this is a cause, this is a reason, this is an origination, this is a requisite condition for craving.... " DN 15

[@mr.morrist4975]

I feel like even one subject...one like Karma is complicated in Buddhism. I was told the Buddha didn’t agree with these 3 doctrines. 1 because of all past karma, one gets killed because he killed that person or someone else in the past for example. one has to rid of all old karmas and not create new karma and the Buddha said not so 🤔 2 because of gods or deities. 3 because of chances, I guess, no cause no reason. I was told the Buddha didn’t deny past actions or past karmas “cause and effect” but in finer details 🤔 it’s cause and factors. Basically, one plants a mango seed one will get mango fruits, but between seed and mango fruits there are factors involved. One doesn’t water the young seedling, it will die for example. To me, karma is kind of fuzzy tangled webs of things.

[@furtivedolus2504]

I really would contest BR Ambedkar as a source of authority in Buddhism. Not just because he rejected rebirth, but the four noble truths. At that point you're not even a secular Buddhist per se.

[@DougsDharma]

Well he had a nonstandard understanding of the dharma, but he was one of the most important Buddhist proselytizers of the 20th c. He reseeded Buddhism in India.

[@furtivedolus2504]

@@DougsDharma One can acknowledge his good works while being critical of his doctrines with regard to Buddhism itself.

[@iain4918]

Look up ajahn summedho teaching on karma and rebirth

[@saralamuni]

Should rebirth from one life to the next be taken literally? Let me clear your doubts. One breath is one life... With each moment of thought, you are reborn in one of the six realms of existence. One moment you are happy and proud, you are in heaven. Then you are jealous and stingy, you are in the titan realm. After that you are stupid and heedless, you are in the beast realm. Then you are afraid and angry, you are in hell. Next you are craving and in despair, you are a hungry ghost. Now you are preoccupied with worldly things, you are in the human realm. What’s true for the micro is true for the macro, internally and externally, as above so below; the same laws apply. Round and round you go...

[@lookatmepleasesir]

this wasn't taught by the Buddha though

[@saralamuni]

@@lookatmepleasesir the Buddha is teaching this to you now

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@saralamuni i can't tell if thats delusional or just very pretentious! If you mean buddha nature, how can you be sure whats coming from your buddha nature when it comes to technical nuances like this?

[@saralamuni]

@@lookatmepleasesir just as a goldsmith would test his gold by burning, cutting, and rubbing it, so you must examine my words and accept them, but not merely out of reverence for me.

[@johncrondis4563]

So funny, today I just did a talk on how if we wish to be honest and truthful (precept, or yama) then we can't believe or disbelieve rebirth. The honest position is that we don't know, and we do not know if beings such as the Buddha earnestly transcended rebirth, and we do not know if any concept of rebirth accurately applies to reality. and we don't know if death is the end thus there could be some rebirth still.

[@DougsDharma]

Right, we can never know for sure.

[@johncrondis4563]

@@DougsDharma I do like that about some chan and zen teachers, they have a great skepticism about metaphysical claims that have no evidence and I find that appropriate. Cool that these traditions have a sort-of "self-correcting" nature.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

"So funny, today I just did a talk on how if we wish to be honest and truthful (precept, or yama) then we can't believe or disbelieve rebirth. " so why didn't the Buddha or any of his disciples say that?

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@johncrondis4563 'I do like that about some chan and zen teachers, they have a great skepticism about metaphysical claims that have no evidence and I find that appropriate" the modern western ones who converted to the religion?

[@johncrondis4563]

@lookatmepleasesir Maybe they did, and it was lost in time. Or maybe these were just imperfect people like the rest of us with specific beautiful qualities to offer the world and we deified them

[@akshayoimbe8340]

Hi sir you are buddhist?

[@DougsDharma]

See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4XbfJqwbbKYjck

[@OneAndOnly-S9]

❤💕💙

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@KevinSolway]

The "literal" view of rebirth, with one individual life following another individual life, has no chance whatsoever of being true because there are no well-defined and limited (constrained) streams of karma which would be necessary for such a view to be true. Cause and effect is messy. Every action has countless, undefined, and unpredictable effects. The effects are not channeled in some neat way that suits what we want to happen. It is for this reason that the Buddha taught that the workings of cause and effect are unpredictable. If you've ever watched a sled team at the winter olympics you know that even they can't keep inside a channel, but will crash horribly. Cause and effect is worse than that. As for people who need a reason to be motivated to behave morally: I don't believe that people need to believe things that aren't true (e.g, literal rebirth) in order to motivate themselves. There are more than enough true reasons to motivate us. If people can't think of true reasons to be moral, then they are largely beyond help.

[@michaelthompson7217]

i think agree. i like this comment a lot. i think there are countless people who are indifferent to the investigation that we are interested that brought us to this video. it’s not that they are bad or immoral and need a threat - religion doesn’t seem to stop immorality - it’s just that conceptualizing it as reincarnation is an easy answer that lets average struggling people get on with the business of what they really want to do with their lives without having to spend hours digging to find an ultimate truth or framework for understanding morality. reincarnation, or literal rebirth, is just the intentionally easy answer/conceptualization

[@KevinSolway]

@@michaelthompson7217 Unfortunately it's the wrong answer, which ends up causing hugely more problems that it solves, and gives the teachings of Buddhism a bad name and driving millions of people away from the Buddha's teachings. If people can't understand that they should treat other people as they would want to be treated, or that if they produce bad things then those bad things will probably come back on them at some time in the future - if not immediately - then there's not much that can be done to help them.

[@michaelthompson7217]

@@KevinSolway i don’t have that strong of an opinion. i do think that those that say any view other than “rebirth akin to reincarnation” is “not real buddhism” (the popular view) or “stupid westerner interpretation” do damage the potential reach of buddhism as a religion and a force for positivity in the world and are denying some historical evidence that suggests this position of moment to moment rebirth is older than they think (and i think more in line with the teaching as a interconnected whole)

[@KevinSolway]

@@michaelthompson7217 I do have that strong an opinion because I don't like being lied to. If people don't know something then they should say "I don't know". They should *never* lie. Religion has become a den of liars. Religion is full of people who claim to know things but who are in darkness.

[@michaelthompson7217]

@@KevinSolway i can definitely agree with that. i certainly think they way many monks and teachers espouse reincarnation online as a near-science and use apologetics and anecdotes as evidence (ian stevenson study, etc) to be super irresponsible and offensive, especially when they thumb noses at others who reject their “evidence” and ridiculous unscientific claims as having wrong view or “not real buddhists”. i agree that those people specifically are lying to themselves and others and damaging everyone in the process. They are most definitely lying. it exactly like christian fundamentalists who say the earth is 6000 years old and this is scientifically evident. I share your strong opinion on this type of thing I think if any given individual wants to believe in reincarnation and give their perspective as a metaphysical view, that’s fine. When it moves into apologetics territory it’s where i draw the line. Buddhists are particularly bad about this because they are like christian’s who say you are going to hell with a fake smile on their face.

[@mikehume]

I think it is a very common, but unfortunate view, that accepting misfortunes as karmically created is somehow judgemental. To use a crude analogy, imagine a doctor who has diagnosed diabetes in someone and suggests they stop eating sugar. That person ignores the advice and the situation worsens and they end up having their feet amputated. When asked the doctor says, “They ignored the advice. This is why they now suffer. There is cause and affect”. In samsara, we perform negative actions, suffering is the result. Either you believe that, or you believe that all experiences are random. Or you believe that some experiences are random? Which ones, and why? Buddha was very scientific, logical, in his explanations. I don’t think that it is quite true that Buddha said that karma is impossible to understand, that we would drive ourself mad by trying. I think most people accept karma on a basic level. It is only Buddha, whose omniscient mind can see all cause and effect. It is particularly in the Mahayana that Buddha, especially as explained by such Bodhisattvas as Nagarjuna, Chandrakirti, Naropa, Shantideva etc., that the more subtle aspects of Dharma are explained in great detail and using logical reasoning to establish every point.

[@DougsDharma]

Ah well the Buddha is recorded as having said that speculating about karma would drive us crazy or frustrate us: suttacentral.net/an4.77/en/sujato . (NB: "The results of deeds" = kammavipāka or the results of karma).

[@mikehume]

@@DougsDharma so by that, do you think that Buddha is saying we shouldn’t think about Karma? And I don’t think I explained my main point very well. I believe it is far more important to consider our own experiences in the context of karma. And by that, adjust our actions so that we can create a future we want. I agree that it is generally unskillful to point out, in most cases, that misfortune has arisen from past negative actions (mainly from previous lives). But to the right person, at the right time, this can be a moment of great transformation.

[@5piles]

@@mikehume you explained your point well. hes just being intellectually dishonest, as a typical physicalist.

[@mikehume]

@@5piles Thank you for saying I explianed the point well - but I am not sure Doug is being dishonest in any way. He come across as someone very well-read and with an excellent intellectual understanding, but in my opinion that isnt what Dharma is about (but it is a very important element!).

[@5piles]

@@mikehume hes trying to obscure your point using the common method of referring to the fact that the precise knowing of the totality of all karmas and their future effects is a capacity only available to fully enlightened buddha. no arhat can come near it, what need to mention non-arya human even if they have genuine samadhi. this point obscures your point and attempts to take the discussion offtopic since the buddha spoke explicitly regarding your points explaining many instances of specific karmic cause and effect correlations and the exact mechanism by which objective morality functions to produce effects in the future. his citation is offtopic and irrelevant to your point and is a typical badfaith behavior performed by these sorts.

[@malwar21]

Buddha, Martin Luther King JR, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Ghandi, Muhammad, George Washington, Isaac Newton, And so many more all believed in an afterlife. Their beliefs, or convictions, informed their actions, not vice-a-versa. They didn't wait around for material or physical evidence, laboratory, scientific, or philosophical arguments...they opened their hearts 💕 to love and surrendered to the universe. Simple as that.

[@Giantcrabz]

you can believe anything if you don't care about evidence...

[@malwar21]

@@Giantcrabz What kind of evidence? Scientific? Who needs scientific evidence to know the importance of love and of wisdom? If one requires scientific evidence for everything then they will cease to be human.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

We have Consciousness Only School. We got rebirth all mapped out for you. Yellow, yellow.

[@saralamuni]

There is no birth and no death.

[@tormunnvii3317]

Rebirth should be viewed as human reproduction.

[@tormunnvii3317]

There, i solved Buddhism 😏. Only half-joking…

[@DougsDharma]

😄

[@misc7]

I don't want to rebirth man.

[@CraigC74]

The interpretation that we are being reborn moment by moment is the view put forth by Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu. The idea that this process stops at physical death is theoretical and unverifiable. Our experience is one of continued arising and ceasing, so we should take that this process continues as the null hypothesis until it is proven otherwise.

[@DougsDharma]

Ah I didn't know Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu subscribed to a this-life interpretation of rebirth. I would imagine as a monastic he probably would subscribe to both the literal and metaphorical interpretations. I believe Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu also emphasized a this-life interpretation.

[@CraigC74]

@@DougsDharma He does not promote a “this-life only” interpretation, but rather that this process which occurs in the every moment does not end with physical death. This video explains a bit at the 20:40 mark kzbin.infoYATsIGQcfp8?si=C6RiBWgDURAqFQ3O

[@prashantlakhera6156]

​@@DougsDharma He believes in both, one as rebirth in this life from moment to moment and another when the last moment of this life leads to the first moment of the next life.

[@Xgy33]

Westerners: Buddhism is symbolic and non real in the everyday sense. Easterners: I’m the 3rd reincarnation of a Chinese Buddha

[@adityadhanvij5985]

Namo Buddhaya Jai bhim!

[@hai3448]

I can understand why rebirth is controversial.. If rebirth is controversial wait till you hear about the new phenomenon called double rebirth or double reincarnation 😂. This is when you reincarnate/reborn into two different physical bodies in the same time period. A lot of people call it Twin Flames - the name itself is just label - man made. We can ignore the label. Allow me to explain this with my own empirical evidence and with Buddhism to verify how this is possible. So I'm a guy who came across my other reincarnation who is a girl and our interactions with each other feels very zen, peaceful, and there is no awkwardness at all (which is actually REALLY nice. Interacting with another physical being with your own consciousness in them). But actually meeting them forces a spiritual awakening within one of us and we do go through a painful ego death - they actually don't experience this at all. We got similar interests and values. It's almost like we're the same person.. there's actually a lot of problems though Buddha's No self teaching explains that the self cannot be found in the body, mind. After investigating this I can agree with this since it does scientifically/logically makes sense to me. At one point I did experience sudden enlightenment - the zen tradition calls it Satori. Temporarily for a few seconds, I felt my ego/mind dissolve - no thoughts at all - because the mind experiences time, time also dissolved and physical reality felt like a dream/illusion. I felt like I was just there - all peace, happy, no fear or any negativity (and I guess no positivity either since those are both duality that arises from the mind). All suffering and desire completely gone. This sudden enlightenment made me realize my own true nature and the true nature of reality - empty. I can verify that Buddha's teaching on emptiness from this experience. Not sure if Buddha said this, but if our true nature is empty, then we "exist" outside time and space and we just happen to be dreaming into this physical reality - which is why Buddha is called the "Awakened One" since he dissolved all the illusions. If that is the case, then it would make sense why it is possible to have more than one physical incarnation in the same time period - our true self is formless, limitless, beyond time and space, and IF it "wants to" it can incarnate into two physical bodies in the same time period. We can say the no-self is a singularity, formless, and our physical body and mind that exists here is duality. There is a duality polarization at the level of the mind between you and your other incarnation. Also they tend to be the opposite gender of you. One of us is the positive polarity (me) and the other is the negative polarity (her). Any thoughts or emotion that arises from my mind-ego goes to the negative polarity person's mind in a "ONE WAY" energetic channel and it pushes them away from you - as in they don't want to talk to you, they hate you, think you're annoying, etc. The mind is a separate entity that has a STRONG desire for the other incarnation. It wants a romantic relationship with this person but their true nature beyond the physical body and mind is YOU - your own consciousness. Basically the ego/false self gets in the way and causes issues with you and your other incarnation. If you remember your true nature and energetically dis-identify from the body and mind, your other incarnation stops acting mean - and they actually just want to be with you, hang out with you, etc The crazy thing is that it when you progress more spiritually or spiritual ascend and dis-identify with the ego-mind, it feels like having two bodies, and they are just an extension of you. Words cannot conceptualize how this feel like - but it feels pretty cool. Anyways when you do meet your other incarnation you kinda have to let them go and not focus on them (at least in the beginning). There are many others who experience what I experience which can be found online but a lot of info on this 99% inaccurate. Even though Buddhism doesn't talk about double rebirth/reincarnation, the teachings do validate this - whether you believe it or not. Since it's an internal experience, I can understand if no one believes this. Anyways thought i'd share this and if it's controversial you can delete the comment. Love watching your videos Doug! Keep up the good work!

[@DougsDharma]

Not sure what to make of that, but thanks! 😊

[@ensys1000]

Rebirth could not have been something Buddha ever contemplated and therefore talked about. This is an idea developed during the 3rd Council under the patronage of King Ashoka.

[@lookatmepleasesir]

The Pali Canon, specifically the Nikayas, contains numerous discourses where the Buddha spoke directly about the concept of rebirth and its intricate connection to karma. These teachings are foundational and recur frequently throughout the texts. By the time of the Third Council, multiple Buddhist schools and sects had emerged, each with its own version of the Tripitaka or collections of scriptures. The concept of rebirth is consistently present across these various canons, not just the Pali Canon. For a doctrine to be inserted during or after the Third Council and then to retroactively appear consistently across all these schools would be an unprecedented and near-impossible historical occurrence.

[@ensys1000]

@@lookatmepleasesir Pali canon was put together many centuries after Buddhas death by Theravadiis. Buddha didn't espouse any of the vada's. As clearly articulated in the Kalama Sutta he advised individuals to seek the truth regardless of the texts and what the senior monks say.

[@5piles]

@@ensys1000 😂 poor guy

[@ensys1000]

@@5piles Ok. You wealthy guy! 😁

[@lookatmepleasesir]

@@ensys1000 the written form of the Pali Canon was composed centuries after the Buddha's death. However, the oral transmission of these teachings began immediately after the Buddha's Parinibbana . The First Buddhist Council convened just a few months after the Buddha's death and saw the compilation of the Buddha's teachings (Dhamma) and monastic rules (Vinaya). The main teachings were recited by Ven. Ananda, and the Vinaya was recited by Ven. Upali. These recitations formed the basis for what would later become the Pali Canon. The Theravada tradition traces its roots back to the early Sangha, so it's not accurate to say that the Pali Canon was "put together" by the Theravadins as if they created it from scratch. They preserved, transmitted, and eventually recorded the Canon in Pali.

[@alessiorando100]

To me the metaphorical approach to rebrith and the literal one are two different sides of the same coin. For my understanding we are in a cointinous cycle of death and rebirth, within the same existence and after it. Our body are continously transformed and so our mind. Every moment our mind is transformed and this process continues even after the end of our current form and so we are reborn in a different form, this until we realize nirvana and escape samsara.