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Reincarnation

Reincarnation has always been a part of Buddhist teaching. Do we believe in this teaching for ourselves? Do we have a sense of “past lives”? Do we have a sense that some of our relationships are continuations of those we’ve had in other lives?

Buddhists believe in reincarnation as a step on the ultimate path to enlightenment. A soul is a certain age depending on how many lives it lived before and what it learned from living those lives. You can be an "old soul." This is someone who is generally mature and what people call "wise," because they have learned from their past lives. If someone is a new soul, they generally are less mature and slower to learn lessons.

Wave Theory

I don't "get" reincarnation. I don't "get" it from the point of view of buddhist teachings, anyway. I've asked this question a lot, & the answer still goes by me: if there is No Self, then what reincarnates?

Most of the time the answer comes in an analogy. A wave doesn't have a separate existence, it doesn't exist apart from the water. It's not the "same" as the wave that comes after it, but somehow it gives rise to it.

I can accept this up to a point, but I have to admit I can't really get my mind around it. Maybe it's like a koan.

And then there is the line of the Buddha, which I think you have up on your site: "I have not said there is a life after death, I have not said there is NOT a life after death."

I believe that this life is a continuation of previous lives. I think your soul connects with people you knew in a previous lifetime. Even though it is a different relationship, your souls trust each other based on your prior life's experiences. When you connect instantly with someone, I think it is definitely because you trusted each other before.

This Earth is made from "recycling." When animals die, they become part of the soil and those nutrients feed the worms, which feed the birds and so on. Why should human souls be different? Part of each soul is carried over to the new one. So, yes, I believe in reincarnation and sometimes do feel like I can sense part of another soul present in myself.

Difficult Question

This is what I would find to be a difficult question. I do believe in past lives and past experiences but I don't believe that we can know them. Though we may feel a strong connection to something or someone I do not think one can know if it is from a previous soul or "organic" experience. Sometimes people just dont want to be satisfied with the life that they lead so i feel as if they dig into the past lives so they can feel more whole. Not to be insulting or on a moral high horse, I just have found this to be true. I'm not saying to change or anything, but I feel it is my duty to make the best out of this life, for this is the only one I get as the person that I am now ( as dynamic as one can be of course).

yes..

have had friends in my life that make me feel as if i have some primordial connection. we always know where each other are or when they are calling. I find that to be a deep connection between two people.

I dont believe in reincarnation

I have some hindu friends and buddhist friends that do, but I think that this is the only lifetime that I have to life and then that is it. I have to make the most of this one life.

i believe in reincarnation..

I also believe that if we can tap into it, we can remember our past lives. I think we are all on a long journey and one day we will all arrive at the end while will only ignite the beginning, once again...

Reincarnation

All religion does not lead to Heaven.........Don t be a fool........tHERE IS 1 GOD, NOT MANY gods... and as people think there is more than 1 ,you are a fool....People need to stop trying to be smarter than god....There isnt a panel of gods in the sky debating life and its purpose...As powerful as god is ...1 shood do the trick........

hmmm....

well....this is a hard one but no, i dont believe in re-incarnation. this life is the only one we have. we have a choice which was given to us by God to either help people or help ourselves. if we help others and are kind and show acts of service etc, then we will be close to God when we die, and ultimately be happy. on the other hand.....well, you get my point.

this life is teh only chance we have. so make the most of it.