Rebirth vs Reincarnation in Buddhism

[@soljer99]

To do good deeds unconditionally, even if they do not benefit “oneself” directly, is the noblest way IMHO. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@hitanshushahare2029]

Before watching your video i was confused about rebirth but now i totally understand what budha wanted to tell us , your seed of thoughts are planted in me 😄

[@RainbowSprnklz]

Trying to better understand buddhism from a casual academic perspective/curiosity and this was really helpful in growing my understanding!

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you! Let me know if you need any book recommendations

[@AlbinovSK]

I became curious in Buddhism and videos on this channel are immensely helpful.

[@OMADRevolution]

Very good! You are one of the few in the west who understand rebirth!

[@wojak5308]

Amazing lecture even though I'm an atheist but I like Buddhism

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks, Wojak, I appreciate your input!

[@jamesmcpherson2018]

Wow! Your the first person that explains this almost identical to the way I do. So many don't understand how important the difference between Rebirth and Reincarnation. Sorry I saw this late. Good job! The Buddha said " Your actions are your only true belongings".

[@mmurfur]

A question: if rebirth is having effects on others beyond our body's lifetime, this will likely involve being "reborn" in many people, who then are "reborn" in many other people later, such that i may be said to have the past lives of many people in me, most of whom I have never met or heard of (since their karmic actions effected me at a temporal distance and/or in a socially indirect manner--like your example of donating to a school half a world away, perhaps even doing so anonymously), then how was it that the Buddha could recall the place of birth, name, caste, and even the food he had eaten in his "past lives"? Doesn't this suggest that rebirth involves not just the causal repercussion of our actions on the lives of others after our death, but something like trans-psychic memory-sharing? thanks.

[@AlanPeto]

For a Buddha, we can’t equate them to a normal human being. Upon becoming a Buddha (and all that entails), they “unlock” (for lack of a better term) a range of abilities. This ranges from what we will call the supranormal or supernatural…only in the sense that we don’t understand it but it’s still rooted in what’s here and now. This includes psychic abilities and the ability to recall past lives. That being said, this knowledge doesn’t really add anything to a Buddha. They don’t need it. But it’s an outcome. And they can use it as a teaching aid on ethical living that leads to enlightenment for others. So, no simple answer for you begins it’s one of the natural abilities for a Buddha.

[@michaelthompson7217]

it has become so much more clear to me how not-self is completely critical to my understanding of rebirth. before this video it was very difficult for me to separate rebirth and reincarnation, which i now better understand. they are not the same thing and almost quite far apart in my mind thanks to this. i know some very seasoned buddhists have a very different understanding of rebirth that aligns almost exactly with reincarnation and use the stevenson investigation as nearly definitive proof of scientific reincarnation, which is absurd to me. not to call into question anyone’s intentions. this line of thinking just never made sense to me, it seemed to me “i” making, and the evidence is entirely speculative (though interesting regardless) as far as the pure land stuff or other realms, i don’t yet find value in that belief or don’t yet have a full understanding of what that myth means to me or how it benefits practice. i appreciate you covering it. it also comes off as “i” making. but most of all i have to thank you for largely curing my vexation about rebirth.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@jamesbates4111]

Thank you this kinda makes sense to me I've been struggling with the idea of past and future lives but this explains it in a way that feels right

[@AlanPeto]

🙏

[@michaelthompson7217]

this was an important video for me and i appreciate you blending different teaching with distinction. wish it had more views

[@AlanPeto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carla7908]

If there is no individual soul or self in buddhism, how can they keep on finding incarnations of the dalai lama? That insinuates a continuous soul?

[@AlanPeto]

Good question. The following will be very high-level as there are nuances to this. A soul or self that transmigrates to a new body ("reincarnation") says that essence has a permanent, unchanging, and independent nature to it. The Buddha said no, that does not exist, because of impermanence and dependent origination. Tibetan Buddhism can sometimes take on a few different things, and the Dalai Lama lineage is a bit religious and a bit political., and quite a bit of ritual is involved with this. You can loosely correlate it to the Buddha and his prior lives tales. None of the prior lives were the same as the final incarnation - each one was independent. However, as taught in all the schools of Buddhism (generally), it's the store consciousness (sometimes referred to as mindstream, etc.) that provides the casual connection between lives. The simile of the flame of one candle lighting the wick of another is a notable example. Both candles are different and not the same. But the energy from the flame provides the causal connection between them. So, for the Dalai Lama lineage, they are said to be the incarnations of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva that are able to force rebirth through compassion (as Bodhisattvas) rather than just due to the repercussions of karma alone. The prior Dalai Lama is not this current Dalai Lama, but a causal connection exists as it does with all incarnations of every sentient being. Each one is a new arising of the Five Aggregates which is different than the rest, but that casual connection of karma/store consciousness connects them (as does ours with other sentient beings in our "lineage" so to speak). If this was reincarnation as westerners understand it, to include a soul, then it would be quite a break from Buddhist teachings. So, think of the Dalai Lama lineage as the rebirth of this incarnation of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva which is a bit different than the rest of us mundane sentient beings who can't control rebirth. But even then, there is no permanent, unchanging, independent soul or self, it's just that casual connection/mindstream of karma, consciousness, and in this case - overriding compassion for all sentient beings.

[@user-sadhu1]

Spot On. Am glad the right word is being used, i e REBIRTH and not so technically accurate word in REINCARNATION. The latter suggests an entity, identity or soul which reincarnates but karmic energy has no identity , thus, does not accurately describe Rebirth according to the Buddha.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks! We do have to differentiate it for at least a Western audience as reincarnation can be construed as something different, which is not what the Buddha taught.

[@DibyenduDe]

Excellent exposition of the idea of rebirth. Thank you.

[@sdbeagle10]

Subscribed! Love this video and looking forward to watching more 😊

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you! :)

[@mujaku]

From a Buddhist perspective a human is a psyco-physical triad namely the XX and XY chromosomes along with a unique consciousness signal called the relinking consciousness (paṭisandhi-viññāṇa). Abortion or death of an infant or for that matter a fully developed human being does not annihilate the relinking consciousness. But there is pain involved as the relinking consciousness must separate from the corporeal (XX-XY) body. Here is where the problems begin knowing that pain is inevitable for the embodied.

[@lilykhinwin]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@AlanPeto]

🙏

[@NadeekaJayawickrama]

Nice and informative video.

[@theinspector7882]

Q: what would be wrong if one decides to continue to being reborn as a better or more rational being each time? I like being what I am as a human being reaching to progress as such inspite of the ups & downs of wearing a body. Being a better human being each time is ok with me. 🙂

[@AlanPeto]

This is quite common! The majority of lay Buddhists work on cultivating merit to ensure a favorable rebirth. And by favorable, we mean either staying in the human realm (most advantageous for actually reaching enlightenment per the Buddha) or a higher realm (although nice, the human realm is where the actual work gets done). So, yes, you're basically on the right path with what most Buddhists do. They focus on the threefold training of morality/conduct, wisdom, and concentration. All part of the Eightfold Path. And focusing just on that moraility/conduct portion? Perfectly fine and quite popular! Even the Buddha said that if you could basically master that portion, the others fall into place. That's quite hard, of course, which is why all three are ultimately practiced.

[@theinspector7882]

@@AlanPeto 👍🎵🤠

[@Mimiooi88]

Alan, thanks for the great video. I have a teenager son who always ask me for prove about rebirth. How can I answer that question. Thank you!

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks! Your teenage soon is likely asking for a scientific proof of rebirth. There is none that will please anyone. We are taught this by the Buddha, who's teachings we have faith in because he has proven what one can achieve. We have also seen that he has had others achieve enlightenment as well through his teachings. We also see that many of his teachings, now 2,600 years old, are being proven 'scientific' (although that wasn't the Buddha's goal at all). When we look at everything in Buddhism, there are things we can and can't explain, and that's OK. I give the example of medicine. If a physician says take this medicine to cure you or your will die, would you question where the medicine was made, how do we know it will work, what is the empirical evidence that shows why and how it works in the body, etc? No, we would go on faith with the physician due to their training and how the medicine has worked in others. Otherwise we would be disappointed in medicine. It's quite common to read the small print of medical paperwork that comes with it that says something similar to they don't know "how" it actually works in the body, just that it creates the intended effect. That's interesting. We don't know how some medicine - even some decades old - actual do what they do in the body. We have theories, but we don't fully know. Rebirth happens moment to moment and also after death. So, we can somewhat prove rebirth with our thoughts, lives, etc. For we are ever changing, even our beliefs, body, who we are. We can look back and see the changes. Your son may be too young for this now, but you and me can look back at our lives and laugh at who we were as teenagers compared to who we are today. Or even looking in the mirror we can see the 'surface' changes. A key thing in Buddhism is our mundane beliefs in 'birth and death' are simply conditioned and perceptions. There is no real birth and death, just rebecoming. A cloud is a good example (as often explained by @ThichNhatHanh - here's a video your son may enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2bPZaqnhN52ntU). Ultimately, if one wants to become a Buddhist, proving or not proving rebirth is not crucial. It's our practice and we can see tangible results of our practice in this world. While rebirth is something we don't want to happen forever, we do work on ensuring future rebirths are beneficial to the path of Buddhism. If one doesn't fully understand rebirth (which is extremely common, but we have faith in the Buddha's teachings anyways), we are creating the right conditions for that future rebirth.

[@jeffnewton4184]

Thank you Alan, that was excellent.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks Jeff! 🙏

[@nxu5107]

Thank you Alan. Sabbha Danan Dhamma Danan Jinathi.

[@AlanPeto]

🙏

[@MichaelALoberg]

I’m struggling with this… no conscious part of me continues over time, let alone past death, but there’s a “store of conduct” seeds that some future other person will grow and live with. Whoever that is, it’s not me. “Me” is actually a flawed concept, but regardless I don’t survive death. Next there’s a discussion of Buddha having prior existences that he remembers, which directly contradicts his impermanence. Maybe he’s special, but then we hear all of us can become buddhas after enlightenment. How can a person “remember” something that wasn’t them?

[@AlanPeto]

Hi Michael! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns. By far, this is one of the hardest concepts to really wrap our heads around. Which is why most of us struggle to get enlightened! I'm going to give it another try here, so let me know if you have questions. When we look at ourselves, we see a "self" or "I" or "me" because there is something we just can't put our finger on but we inherently feel that there is something substantial and permanent about us. Personality, ego, beliefs, thoughts, etc....the list is endless. There is a process of the Five Aggregates (that make up an existence) working together so seamlessly called Namarupa. It's sort of like when you see something (or taste, etc.) a whole process works together almost instantaneously until it hits the consciousness which has it's perceptions, etc., of it. When we break it apart and examine it, we eventually go "really?! that's it?!", and that's kind of the enlightenment part in a nutshell. The curtains are removed, and we see the true self. But that is very VERY hard to do because namarupa is VERY good at it's job ;) So, that takes us into consciousness. Think of it more like a process, than something permanent like a soul or self ... which we learned is just a process (so those beliefs we have now, perceptions, etc., are really just 'temporary' even if they can last decades). This process spans existences. There are trace impressions of prior existences (we don't see or experience them in this way, just their overall impact on us so to speak) and karma. Karma is what binds us to rebirth, but also determines our future existences/realms of existence. Many people don't like that last part because it feels like we are just being blown around by wind with our sailboat of a self and feel powerless. But the opposite is true. Yes, we have karma that even we didn't create! But that doesn't mean we can't make significant and fundamental karmic changes right now. The Buddha is a great example, so were his enlightened followers, bodhisattvas, etc. So, you do "survive" death insofar as your karmic actions and trace impressions. This can get a "whomp whomp" depressing view especially by Westerners who are very much in the culture of a permanent afterlife. What's the point then?! we might ask. This is were it diverges into a few roads which are all really one. We can benefit in any current existence right now from these changes. The Buddha is a pure example. Some of his enlightened followers did escape rebirth, and some didn't - but are close maybe one or two rebirths away. But again, we might ask what's the point if I can't remember my past lives and I'm not going to "benefit" from it? Right now, we are benefitting (or not) from any past karma that could literally stretch back unimaginable lengths. This alone is mindboggling. But it is seeds just waiting for the right conditions. Buddhists view the endless cycle of rebirth with a shoulder shrug. Yes, we'd love to end that, but us becoming enlightened in this current iteration is highly unlikely. So, focusing on generating merits for rebirth in a good realm (heavenly or human are some top ones) is focused on. This also gets a side eye by Westerners because it feels like that's reincarnation and you're benefiting. It's not. As one sees what namarupa does, and the three fires of greed, anger, and ignorance that arise as a result (and are burning us!), we break down this jailer. Slowly shedding the chains as we walk closer and closer to the open door to freedom (nirvana). While we, as humans, still have that 'self-centered' desire to benefit from what we are doing (and that's perfectly well understood), it's what road we are talking: wholesome or unwholesome. Wholesome is the path to that open door to freedom of nirvana, and unwholesome is just staying in your jail cell. So, yes, it's a bit self-serving even on that wholesome path but it's based on breaking free of those chains. The one that gets out of that door may not be the same 'existence' we are in right now, but it's this long path there. Even in our world right now, imagine an actual prison where the prisoner is finally released. They may be decades older. Are they the same person? We say yes because their release papers say so, but they are different. Now imagine endless lifetimes in different forms. But how we get to that open door makes a huge difference. The Buddha, as a supremely enlightened being, could see past lives (among other psychic powers!). Now this, again, gets an eye of "really?!" from many because of the connotations of psychic in our secular world. Here, it's referring to those that attain supreme meditative states they are able to fundamentally understand and see what we can't. Think of it as a dirty window...this supreme meditative achievement they have is like a powerwasher that cleaned that window. He understands this mindboggling long process to get to where he is now. For us, it makes a great story, perhaps spurs others on, gives moral context to others, etc. So, it is multifaceted. Regardless, its key point is we constantly cling and crave to this belief in self, that keeps us trapped, so we don't really understand why that's pointless. We have all been something else, had virtually all experiences, did this and that, etc., so why fuel the three fires anymore? And that brings us to stopping the three fires and residing in our natural state of nirvana. After this long reply, we are benefiting right now. And we are all at different levels based on past karma and trace impressions. I don't forsee myself becoming enlightened, but I want to support those that are making steady progress (specifically, monastics, which is why they are part of the triple gem we support). I won't get into some of the deeper Mahayana parts about the three bodies of the Buddha, but needless to say the story doesn't stop here! What we consider "self" is purely a construct. When we realize the true self, become supremely enlightened, that's a whole other world.

[@maiiwaleed9512]

This is very good, thank you

[@HHesky]

Hi Alen, Thank you for the great video. My understanding from your video is that a Buddhist followers will rebirth into one of the 6 realm based on their karma, right? and for those with good karma will go to Buddhist's pure land when they die (but still not yet reach eternal life? not sure I understood that part clearly). How's that compared with the Christian teaching that believers who believe in Jesus will have eternal life in heaven when they die?

[@AlanPeto]

Good questions. Karma is what "forces" rebirth/keeps the cycle or process going. Our modern words of "Good" or "Bad" karma are both things that keep us in the cycle because they have the conditions to "bind" us (called "fetters" in Buddhism) like chains. An enlightened being that has "broken" these chains (such as a Buddha, Arhat, Bodhisattva, etc.) can end the "forced" rebirth. Their karma is free of the fetters. Karma plays a part in which "realm" of rebirth it takes form in. For Pure Land, it's no different but is special that one's karma/rebirth takes place in a Buddha's Pure Land. When we refer to this in Buddhism, outside the Pure Land that Shakyamuni/Gautama Buddha ("The Buddha') had around him when he was on this earth, it refers to celestial Buddhas - such as the popular Amitabha. Pure Lands are not like Heaven, although the descriptions of them can sure sound that way. They are, like everything in Buddhism, impermanent for that rebirth. One goes there almost like a college or boot camp. They learn under the guidance of a living Buddha, Bodhisattva attendants, etc., to more effectively progress on the Bodhisattva Path and eventually become a Buddha. From there, their time in the Pure Land ends and takes rebirth in a final relam, the Human realm, to become a Buddha. Of interest, we do have a heavenly realm of rebirth. There are actually many different types of "heavens" there and how those beings exist, but they are not like the Christian Heaven. While lifespans there are very long, they are impermanent. When Karma is "burned up", rebirth takes place again. Bodhisattvas who will become a Buddha in their next rebirth often take their second to last rebirth in a heavenly relam and pick the time and place they will have their final rebirth. While a heavenly rebirth sounds amazing, Buddhists don't want to be reborn there (although one wouldn't argue against it either). The reason they don't want to be reborn there is that one does not always hear the Dharma, nor do they have the causes and conditions to really want to practice. It's only the Human realm that provides the right mix for us to want to be Buddhists and hear the Dharma!

[@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!

[@AlanPeto]

These are good questions. As I am just a layperson, take my answer as such. With rebirth we are never going to have a satisfactory answer to address our minds from a scientific standpoint. Instead we can understand at a basic level what we are now is a result of past karma. And being reborn in the human realm is very very very rare and we shouldn’t waste this opportunity to practice the dharma. And we can create the conditions to be reborn in the human realm through our actions. While it does sound confusing that only karma continues on, it’s this mindstream of consciousness it resides in (storehouse) which is the only thing from our existence that confines. Basically, it’s our true “self” in a way. Everything else is temporary and conditioned. Even our vows in Buddhism continue. While even I would enjoy a scientific answer, we won’t get it. I look at it as almost breaking down our love of “self” knowing it won’t be “me” as in a soul that continues on, but my actions. That next existence isn’t me, but even me right now is really just an illusion due to how this existence works seamlessly together giving the illusion of a permanent and unchanging “self”. You can also put it practically with your life now and rebirth from moment to moment and how you act and live.

[@christinasmith9032]

I did have two questions: couldn’t we say that the collection of actions (karma) is our “soul” being reborn? The other question is: why is nibbhana appealing? The nothingness doesn’t seem appealing to me but maybe I’m missing something. Thank you so much for this video. You explained things very well.

[@AlanPeto]

Hi Christina, good questions! When we use the term soul, we define it as something (some essence) that is permanent, unchanging, and independent. The Buddha rejected that (it was something that the religion of the time subscribed to, so Buddhism was the opposite of it). He said that all phenomena are impermanent, therefore there is no substantial "essence" that makes us permanent or unchanging. Thus, no such thing as a 'self' or 'soul' (in the context of our definition). There is a mindstream of consciousness where our karmic actions continue on, but we shouldn't think of that as a soul either. It is simply the casual connections between existences where the past fruition and future potential of karma continue on. It's a heavy concept to wrap your head around. The simile often used are candles. Imagine a candle with a flame. As it wears down and is about to go out, the flame lights the wick of another candle. The candles are different, but the casual connection is that flame (we can correlate that to karma). There was no essence that is permanent that continued on, only the energy or action (karma) that ignited the next existence. This is all very distressing for us in the West, because we are fixated on ourselves in many ways (even if we are not religious, the concept of 'self' is strong in us). So, we want to hold on to that belief...which is what the Buddha says is the fundamental issue. Nirvana is wanted by Buddhists because it's the blowing out of unwholesome things. Specifically the Three Fires (Three Poisons) of Ignorance, Greed, and Anger. These three things are like a circle that is endless feeding off one another. Because we don't understand "self" to be an impermanent, ever changing, and interdepenent thing...we see and live in our world in a deluded way. Unskillful is a word that always comes to my mind. Imagine you are driving your car...on the wrong side of the road. You've never been taught how to drive a car, and, well, you think this is perfectly fine. Sometimes people honk their horn at you and yell at you, but that's their problem not yours. This is the delusion. When we have wisdom as the Buddha taught, we learn..."hey, driving on the wrong side of the road is...wrong!". Initially, we may still not understand "why", but we start shaping our life (Buddhist practice) to follow the teachings. Ultimately, we may become awakened/enlightened and realize the reason that is "wrong". This is when you 'wake up' and everything becomes clear. The Three Fires are blown out (think of that flame lighting the next candle) and you can live your life as it is meant to be. Right now, we are just like that driver who is on the wrong side of the road. Nobody can tell them it's wrong, because it's right in their mind. Nirvana is "driving on the CORRECT side of the road" that is peaceful and natural. OK, I know in our world that is far from the case with traffic, but you hopefully get my explanation. So, the 'nothingness' that you mention, is simply getting rid of the Three Fires, which gets rid of creating unskillful and unwholesome karmic actions, which ultimately ends the cycle of birth and death (rebirth) - which is unsatisfactory (Dukkha). As the Buddha said, anything impermanent *is* suffering. And we, and this existence, are impermanent (but we fight against that truth).

[@christinasmith9032]

@@AlanPeto thank you so much, Alan! The concept of “no soul” and “nothingness” are indeed very difficult for me as the “absence of pain” (nirvana) doesn’t seem that great compared to the presence of joy and pain that we get when we’re living our lives.

[@AlanPeto]

Think of Nirvana as true peace, true happiness, and true love. This sounds weird to us, but our perceptions and actions make all of those things conditioned (we just don’t realize it). So nirvana…very much a good thing. It’s living your life as it *should* be lived. I’m very much generalizing here, but it’s removing those perceptions and assumptions that truly free us.

[@rickcoffin7788]

I appreciate the video but like many other videos on this topic, it does not really discuss the difference between rebirth and reincarnation, with a description of what rebirth actually is. Can you expand upon that? Specifically, what happens when rebirth occurs. A lot of eastern cultures use the terms interchangeably or they may only use the term reincarnation, and some say that this topic has been highlighted more by secular Buddhists. I don’t want to get into that as much but it is interesting to note.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks for the reply, Rick! I believe I covered most of what you're asking for in this video (and some others - such as the 'nonself' video - it's more than one topic to understand rebirth), but here are some things to help. You are correct about 'reincarnation' term being used, but we also have to look at how that's interpreted in the West. For most Westerners, if you say "reincarnation", that immediately conjures up the idea and question about "what will I be in the next life?!" Buddhism states that the idea of "I", "me", "self", is an illusion. That's a key place to start. We are a temporary grouping of things that make us "us", which gives the illusion of a permanent, independent, and unchanging "self" (which some may call a soul, etc.). Buddhism is about breaking that illusion. But, that goes to your other question. What happens in the meantime? What happens with rebirth? It's karma (actions). This is why 'reincarnation' (in our Western language) isn't a good fit, because reincarnation in the Western ideal is often connected heavily with that concept in Hinduism which *does* say a permanent, independent, and unchanging self continues on. So, rebirth is used (in the English language) to help differentiate it. Karma is the catalyst that creates new existences in the cycle of rebirth. In another thread if you will, these karmic seeds continue on through the 'store consciousness' (think of it like planting seeds in a garden). So, each new existence receives the seeds casually from the prior existence, but there is nothing from the prior existence that continues on beyond the karma. Now, that doesn't mean that things such as intention (such as a desire to be on the Buddhist path) doesn't continue, but that can be thought of with karma in a way also. I don't want to get deeper and longer in this reply if I'm not touching on answering your question. I also have an article here: alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-reincarnation-rebirth/

[@sangyemaitreya]

Thank you Alan.

[@AlanPeto]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@janakasanjaya6926]

Good explain

[@rawkarpojk]

Does it have to do with the actions you bestow upon other people like a."Butterfly wings" effect?

[@AlanPeto]

That's a good question. I don't think so exactly, but look at it more focused on yourself for a second. You are the one that creates karma, and receives the results of karma (now or in the future). While it is true your intentional actions can impact others in different ways, you ultimately are the owner of your actions. So, things like generosity and compassion in Buddhism for others isn't necessarily meant just to be 'good', but to transform your mind (which is controlled by the Three Fires of greed, anger, and ignorance) so your karma starts becoming wholesome, and then as an enlightened being, you end the Three Fires and reside in Nirvana - creating Karma that no longer binds you to rebirth and Dukkha.

[@dougdoughonolulu9013]

Wow. Excellent, excellent.

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@exploreyousoul]

Hi Alan, great lecture on rebirth. I would like to know your views on near death experiences, how does rebirth and what people experience during this clinical death state, correlate? Also , on the question of rebirth would we see our loved ones ever again, going by theory of rebirth? Many thanks Lance.

[@AlanPeto]

Good question! Of nuanced interest, Tibetan Buddhism essentially talked about what is being experienced hundreds of years before it became mainstream in our modern world. That being said, I don't have any real personal viewpoints on it because it's something I (of course) haven't experienced or researched. It could all be the body and chemical processes going on, or there is something more to it. Not sure. On the Buddhist side of things, depending on the tradition, rebirth occurs instantly, or there is sometimes temporary pauses (so to speak) sometimes called bardos. Tibetan Buddhism has the longest, I believe, getting up to ~40 days. For seeing loved ones again, the answer is twofold. No. They (and us) are a temporary grouping of things giving the illusion of a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self". So, the loved one you experience now was truly here and they were who they were, but they were not a permanent essence. So, that "self" doesn't exist in the next existence. On a broader view, yes you will and right now you are seeing people you have likely loved in countless prior existences. Which is a beautiful (and mind blowing) thing to comprehend! Which is why loving-kindness, compassion, and generosity are so important in Buddhism - because anyone could have been your mother, father, friend, lover, etc., in the past.

[@exploreyousoul]

@@AlanPeto Thank you so much for your reply on this question, much appreciated 🙏

[@dianeheffernan7664]

So, does this mean that by action others see this and continue it on.

[@AlanPeto]

Action in Buddhism refers to intentional volitional actions, which we call Karma. These can be wholesome, unwholesome, or neutrual, and reflect how it 'impacts' us either now or in the future. And that future also includes future existences. For Buddhism separate out anything related to a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self" such as a soul or "me", "I", etc. This is important because Karma is what continues on to instigate new existences, but also what continues on from this one. What you see as yourself right now does indeed exist, but it is a temporary and conditioned existence. Thus, when you die, the conditioned existence that we see as permanent and unchanging ("me") doesn't go into a new body (like reincarnation) because it was never something permanent to begin with. Yet, your karma does. You are even the result of past karma. There is a '[mind]stream of consciousness' that exists in Buddhism that this karma continues on to each existence with. While this all sounds hard to wrap our heads around, it also helps us shape our Buddhist practice. We realize that even though that future existence is not "us", we are not separated from it either. We have a direct and tangible impact on whether that future existence can even practice Buddhism (which we want it to), where, how, etc. Further, we have benefited from prior existence right now to even perhaps have an interest in Buddhism. So, we need to continue what started perhaps a long time ago! In a way, it feels like a very important movement going on, yet it is a movement that is all in this stream of consciousness you are in. Past and future incarnations are all casually connected by that Karma (and also things such as vows, etc.). Who can 'see' this? Only an enlightened being such as a Buddha. When The Buddha became enlightened, he was able to see his past lifetimes. For us, we are too clouded in our existence right now, nor have the ability to, see past lifetimes. They exist, but our focus is on changing our karma from unwholesome to wholesome.

[@dianeheffernan7664]

@AlanPeto Thankyou, I will have to read through this a few times for it to sink in. Thankyou again for your reply. May you be well and happy and free from suffering.

[@BuceriasRodHardy]

Just to put it in my simple terms it's Karma that moves on, Karma is Reborn.

[@AlanPeto]

Karma 'forces' rebirth to occur (and to keep one in the cycle of rebirth). Karmic seeds in the store consciousness continue on to a new existence (and karma can influence the condition/realm).

[@protonman8947]

An enjoyable and commendable discussion. But consciousness continues? Is that not Dualism? I'm inclined to say consciousness is reborn anew -- being both a "Westerner" and a biologist. No apologies for that. Consciousness requires a brain. A life governed by Buddhist precepts is commendable. The illusory self was/is a prescient realization that can rightly restrain selfishness and ego. But what is said to follow after death is speculation about events for which there is no evidence -- aside perhaps from karma relating to cause and effect. We hope that good behavior in one's life redounds in good effects after we are gone, but cause and effect are chaotic, and existence is complex. There is clearly wisdom that can be gleaned from ancient teachings of different origins, and much to offer in Buddhist tradition, but it seems past time for ancient teachings of different stripes to be considered and amended in light of a more informed naturalism. We should not be hand waving about past lives and consciousness in the 21st century.

[@AlanPeto]

Only one part of consciousness continues, which is the store consciousness. Talks about past lives are unimportant in Buddhism (we don't have reincarnation in Buddhism), except to explain rebirth and how karma impacts that. You may enjoy researching "Namarupa" to understand how the illusionary idea of self is created in each existence and how it creates the conditions for karma (typically unwholesome) to arise.

[@protonman8947]

I believe that to understand how an illusory sense of self is created, we should look to Neuroscience. I don't know what is meant by "store consciousness" but I would undoubtedly ask for evidence. @@AlanPeto

[@priyadarshanachandrasena2062]

🙏🙏🙏

[@branr5484]

I also believe in rebirth

[@meghanvail1713]

❤ THIS . I want to do more research on Buddhism.. What about VEGANS. I'm vegan for the Animals. Are Buddhist vegans.

[@AlanPeto]

The diet of Buddhists vary. In the Theravada tradition, they can and do consume meat. In the Mahayana tradition it is typically encouraged to be vegetarian. That’s usually done on on observance days (check out my video). Some Mahayana traditions like Tibetan eat meat due to their environment. You may find my article about animals helpful: alanpeto.com/buddhism/animals-in-buddhism/

[@UHFStation1]

So most Buddhists don't believe in Dualism? At least not Chan Buddhists?

[@InhabitantOfOddworld]

Indeed. Buddhists are non-dual.

[@Tinyflypie]

Hang on, you said he was in the heavenly realm and he decided to come back into the human realm....how? If 'he' didn't exist?

[@AlanPeto]

Bodhisattvas reside in Tuṣita Heaven, awaiting rebirth in the next life where they can become a Buddha. Tuṣita Heaven is sort of the last realm and location a Bodhisattva will be in as the next would be back in the Human Realm where one can become a Buddha. For example, Maitreya Buddha, as a Bodhisattva right now, is in Tuṣita Heaven. Maitreya will be the next Buddha of our era. It's important to note that each existence is not the same 'person'. The Bodhisattva that was in Tuṣita Heaven was not 'Siddhartha Gautama', but called Svetaketu Bodhisattva. The karma, vows, intentions, etc., of Svetaketu is what was reborn in the new existence of Siddhartha. But there was no 'soul' that is permanent and unchanging that went into Siddhartha.

[@pisanghangus2]

Interesting , but I have to experience it to truly understand it

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks for the comment, Chian! "For those who remember their past lives, rebirth is a clear experience. However, most ordinary beings forget their past lives as they go through the process of death, intermediate state and rebirth. As past and future rebirths are slightly obscure to them, we need to use evidence-based logic to prove past and future rebirths to them." ~ The Dalai Lama

[@jremi66]

So what's the point if there is no one that receives the reward or negative consequences of good or bad actions....it all seems so meaningless

[@AlanPeto]

Think of Karmic actions as planting seeds in the ground. These seeds, either wholesome or unwholesome, stay seeds until you water them. The water you pour on them only activates one type of seeds. So, do you activate the wholesome or unwholesome seeds? You can do this right now in this life by giving rise to the conditions where that seed blooms. We don't want any unwholesome seeds to bloom, of course. So, there are some "impacts you in this life" karma. Wholesome karma may be seen as a 'reward', but it's not an entity or judging force. In Buddhism, we focus on wholesome karma that leads us to liberation (Nirvana). What you're asking about is what continues on. It can feel that way. Why do any of this if I don't benefit? [for karma that doesn't benefit or not benefit me in this life]. There are two things to consider: 1) we are the recipient of past karma - sort of like a string to give it an analogy - so should we not focus on giving the next recipient wholesome karma? While there is no soul that is "me" that benefits, they are still in a way very much connected to us by this string. Each existence can bring us closer to enlightement like the Buddha did [even when we look at it it seems overwhelming]. Would we want to give our children the best chance in this world? our grandchildren? they are not "me" but it's that connection. 2) we also have intention and vows that continue. For example, the Buddha many lifetimes prior set forth in motion to become a full Buddha. So that vow you can see intermingled there. "The Buddha" is not the same person as the one who made that vow many lifetimes ago, but they are connected along with others with that 'string'. This doesn't need to be your primary focus. Quite a few things in Buddhism are overwhelming to comprehend initially. With continued practice, objections we normally have can often fade away as we get those "aha" moments. If you want it to have a point, you can 'benefit' right here right now with positive karmic actions that are wholesome. They can, of course, have tangible results depending on the circumstances.

[@Rulyo38]

How come we can all become a buddha but there is only one Buddha per era ?

[@AlanPeto]

One Buddha per era - in a world [system]. Buddhist cosmology encompasses many worlds and more. So, while our current Buddha, Shakyamuni (Gautama), is the Buddha of our era...that is only for Earth. There is/can be countless Buddhas in world systems we don't even know about. And, in Buddhism, time is very long and almost a non-issue. This means we look at our lives in decades as humans, but in Buddhism, this is just the latest conditioned existence. It's a deep concept and teaching to get our heads around, but yes, there can be many Buddhas in the universe. The 'human realm' in Buddhism does not mean only human beings like here on Earth, but basically beings that are conditioned/in the right existence to understand and practice the Dharma...wherever that may be.

[@Buddhismhelps]

The reason this sounds confusing is because it is confusing. This presentation of rebirth in terms of planting seeds for a future life, as an escape from rebirth/Dukkha is in fact an unnecessary and confusing distraction from the overall goal of Buddhism which is to help us find inner peace and contentment in this life, and help others do the same. Discussions and reliance on amorphous concepts like rebirth are pure conjecture and wishful thinking as a mystical salvation. The reality is no one knows what happens when we die, regardless of the “sanctity” of the “afterlife” visions of realms and devas. Better to work on our constructive efforts in this life, and only experience will reveal the future. Stick to the Core Concepts in Buddhism such as the 4 Noble Truths, Three Poisons, 8 Fold Path, 5 Precepts, and 6 Perfections, and you will find inner peace and wisdom.

[@AlanPeto]

Karma indeed has relevant practices as it relates to our life right here, right now, as we work with the threefold training to understand our existence and world so we may become enlightened and realize Nirvana. However, the Buddha, and Buddhism overall, indeed talks about rebirth. In-fact, it's the central point (and a core concept) of Buddhism and practicing Buddhists. According to the Buddha, it's why our existence is Dukkha, as we dive deeper into dependent origination and the concent of not-self and the three fires/poisons. The goal of realizing our true nature, Nirvana, is not to be happy, but to create karma without outflows so the cycle of rebirth is not instigated and forced due to our karma. If this concept of rebirth can be challenging in the beginning, you can apply a singular approach by looking how your karma and 'self' change moment to moment and even throughout the years. You can also look at how the realms of rebirth can be used in this existence to understand the different conditions of your mind and actions. However, again, the Buddha was specific about rebirth. You may want to explore more, including these sermons where he was very specific about it: Mahakammavibhanga Sutta (MN 136), Upali Sutta (MN 56), Kukkuravatika Sutta (MN 57), Moliyasivaka Sutta (SN 36.21), Sankha Sutta (SN 42.8).

[@mahakalabhairava9950]

Anatman refers to what atman is not. Not that there is no atman.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks for the feedback. This was explained in the video.

[@mks8172]

Does our soul at least get reborn in our own country or civilization as even scientific research backs quite a bit of it up by Stevenson and Haraldsson (spelling may not be the most accurate for the names)

[@AlanPeto]

Good question! In Buddhism, there is no soul that transmigrates (doctrine of non-self). Only the traces of past and future Karmic actions are what continue on. What we identify as the "self" is an illusion or formation of the mind/body - a temporary grouping of things (called the Five Aggregates) which are impermanent, ever-changing, and interconnected. Stevenson & Haraldsson did a study on reincarnation, which is different from rebirth in Buddhism (I have a link to my article in the video description). In Buddhist rebirth, there are different realms of rebirth (so even beyond your question about civilization or country, it can be different beings, realms, etc.). And Buddhist cosmology is not restricted to just this planet, so technically, rebirth can occur in places we may not even consider. I am very high-leveling it with this reply, so let me know if any questions!

[@martinmessina5631]

I believe rebirth is the death of ones ego.

[@UHFStation1]

I think there is some scientific proof of reincarnation, but not of karma.