Difference between revisions of "The concept of reincarnation"
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| − | Reincarnation is accepted amongst Buddhist and Westerner belief systems as an after life journey to be reborn in another body. This maybe the Hindu and New age concept, but not Buddhist. People often turn to religion for doctrines that provide simple answers to difficult questions. Buddhism doesn’t work that way. Believing in some doctrine about reincarnation or rebirth has no purpose. Buddhism is a practice that enables experiencing illusion as illusion and reality as reality. | + | [[Reincarnation]] is accepted amongst [[Buddhist]] and Westerner [[belief]] systems as an after [[life]] journey to be [[reborn]] in another [[body]]. This maybe the [[Hindu]] and {{Wiki|New age}} {{Wiki|concept}}, but not [[Buddhist]]. [[People]] often turn to [[religion]] for [[doctrines]] that provide simple answers to difficult questions. [[Buddhism]] doesn’t work that way. Believing in some [[doctrine]] about [[reincarnation]] or [[rebirth]] has no purpose. [[Buddhism]] is a practice that enables experiencing [[illusion]] as [[illusion]] and [[reality]] as [[reality]]. |
| − | .The concept of reincarnation is closely linked with the spiritual law of karma in the sense that you are subject to retribution, which is also a concept taught by New Agers. This seems to be a constant that exists throughout the Buddhist faith. Furthermore, in Buddhism, reincarnation takes on a new meaning. The Buddhist principle of reincarnation is founded upon the premise of energy and the fact that energy can be reformulated into anything. This means that if you were to be reborn, you would not necessarily be reborn as another person; you could incarnate as an insect such as a worm. This is anything but true. | + | .The {{Wiki|concept}} of [[reincarnation]] is closely linked with the [[spiritual]] [[law of karma]] in the [[sense]] that you are [[subject]] to retribution, which is also a {{Wiki|concept}} taught by New Agers. This seems to be a [[constant]] that [[exists]] throughout the [[Buddhist]] [[faith]]. Furthermore, in [[Buddhism]], [[reincarnation]] takes on a new meaning. The [[Buddhist]] [[principle]] of [[reincarnation]] is founded upon the premise of [[energy]] and the fact that [[energy]] can be reformulated into anything. This means that if you were to be [[reborn]], you would not necessarily be [[reborn]] as another [[person]]; you could [[incarnate]] as an insect such as a worm. This is anything but true. |
| − | The intermediate person who makes the passage in this way from one existence to the next is formed, like every living person, of the five aggregates (skandha). Ir is said that it take 100 days to transmigrate. This is called the Bardo Stage. There are six Bardos. | + | The [[intermediate]] [[person]] who makes the passage in this way from one [[existence]] to the next is formed, like every living [[person]], of the [[five aggregates]] ([[skandha]]). Ir is said that it take 100 days to transmigrate. This is called the [[Bardo Stage]]. There are six [[Bardos]]. |
| − | 1. Shinay bardo (Tibetan): is the first bardo of birth and life. This bardo commences from conception until the last breath, when the mindstream withdraws from the body. | + | 1. [[Shinay]] [[bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]): is the first [[bardo of birth and life]]. This [[bardo]] commences from {{Wiki|conception}} until the last [[breath]], when the [[mindstream]] withdraws from the [[body]]. |
| − | 2. Milam bardo (Tibetan): is the second bardo of the dream state. The Milam Bardo is a subset of the first Bardo. Dream Yoga develops practices to integrate the dream state into Buddhist sadhana. | + | 2. [[Milam]] [[bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]): is the second [[bardo]] of the [[dream state]]. The [[Milam]] [[Bardo]] is a subset of the first [[Bardo]]. [[Dream Yoga]] develops practices to integrate the [[dream state]] into [[Buddhist]] [[sadhana]]. |
| − | 3. Samten bardo (Tibetan) is the third bardo of meditation. This bardo is generally only experienced by meditators, though individuals may have spontaneous experience of it. Samten Bardo is a subset of the Shinay Bardo. | + | 3. [[Samten]] [[bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]) is the third [[bardo of meditation]]. This [[bardo]] is generally only [[experienced]] by [[meditators]], though {{Wiki|individuals}} may have spontaneous [[experience]] of it. [[Samten]] [[Bardo]] is a subset of the [[Shinay]] [[Bardo]]. |
| − | 4. Chikkhai bardo (Tibetan): is the fourth bardo of the moment of death. According to tradition, this bardo is held to commence when the outer and inner signs presage that the onset of death is nigh, and continues through the dissolution or transmutation of the Mahabhuta until the external and internal breath has completed. | + | 4. Chikkhai [[bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]): is the fourth [[bardo of the moment of death]]. According to [[tradition]], this [[bardo]] is held to commence when the outer and inner [[signs]] presage that the onset of [[death]] is nigh, and continues through the [[dissolution]] or transmutation of the [[Mahabhuta]] until the external and internal [[breath]] has completed. |
[[File:42a364.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:42a364.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | 5. Chönyid bardo (Tibetan): is the fifth bardo of the luminosity of the true nature which commences after the final | + | 5. Chönyid [[bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]): is the fifth [[bardo]] of the [[luminosity]] of the [[true nature]] which commences after the final ‘[[inner breath]]’ ([[Sanskrit]]: [[prana]], [[vayu]]; [[Tibetan]]: [[rlung]]). It is within this [[Bardo]] that visions and {{Wiki|auditory}} [[phenomena]] occur. In the [[Dzogchen]] teachings, these are known as the spontaneously [[manifesting]] [[Thödgal]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[thod-rgyal]]) visions. Concomitant to these visions, there is a welling of profound [[peace]] and [[pristine awareness]]. [[Sentient beings]] who have not practiced during their lived [[experience]] and/or who do not [[recognize]] the [[clear light]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[od gsal]]) at the moment of [[death]] are usually deluded throughout the fifth [[bardo]] of [[luminosity]]. |
| − | 6. Sidpa bardo (Tibetan): is the sixth bardo of becoming or transmigration. This bardo endures until the inner-breath commences in the new transmigrating form determined by the | + | 6. [[Sidpa bardo]] ([[Tibetan]]): is the sixth [[bardo of becoming]] or [[transmigration]]. This [[bardo]] endures until the inner-breath commences in the new transmigrating [[form]] determined by the ‘[[karmic seeds]]’ within the [[storehouse consciousness]]. |
| − | That is why there is a 100 day service after someone dies. | + | That is why there is a 100 day service after someone [[dies]]. |
| − | Originally bardo referred only to the period between one life and the next, and this is still its normal meaning when it is mentioned without any qualification. There was considerable dispute over this theory during the early centuries of Buddhism, with one side arguing that rebirth (or conception) follows immediately after death, and the other saying that there must be an interval between the two. With the rise of mahayana, belief in a transitional period prevailed. Later Buddhism expanded the whole concept to distinguish six or more similar states, covering the whole cycle of life, death, and rebirth. But it can also be interpreted as any transitional experience, any state that lies between two other states. Its original meaning, the experience of being between death and rebirth, is the prototype of the bardo experience, while the six traditional bardos show how the essential qualities of that experience are also present in other transitional periods. By refining even further the understanding of the essence of bardo, it can then be applied to every moment of existence. The present moment, the now, is a continual bardo, always suspended between the past and the future. Not all Buddhists believe in reincarnation. There are many afterlife theories from many religions. | + | Originally [[bardo]] referred only to the period between one [[life]] and the next, and this is still its normal meaning when it is mentioned without any qualification. There was considerable dispute over this {{Wiki|theory}} during the early centuries of [[Buddhism]], with one side arguing that [[rebirth]] (or {{Wiki|conception}}) follows immediately after [[death]], and the other saying that there must be an {{Wiki|interval}} between the two. With the rise of [[mahayana]], [[belief]] in a transitional period prevailed. Later [[Buddhism]] expanded the whole {{Wiki|concept}} to distinguish six or more similar states, covering the whole cycle of [[life]], [[death]], and [[rebirth]]. But it can also be interpreted as any transitional [[experience]], any state that lies between two other states. Its original meaning, the [[experience]] of being between [[death]] and [[rebirth]], is the prototype of the [[bardo]] [[experience]], while the six [[traditional]] [[bardos]] show how the [[essential]] qualities of that [[experience]] are also {{Wiki|present}} in other transitional periods. By refining even further the [[understanding]] of the [[essence]] of [[bardo]], it can then be applied to every moment of [[existence]]. The {{Wiki|present}} moment, the now, is a continual [[bardo]], always suspended between the {{Wiki|past}} and the {{Wiki|future}}. Not all [[Buddhists]] believe in [[reincarnation]]. There are many [[afterlife]] theories from many [[religions]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://ichinyo.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/reincarnation/ ichinyo.wordpress.com] | [http://ichinyo.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/reincarnation/ ichinyo.wordpress.com] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:26, 6 January 2014
Reincarnation is accepted amongst Buddhist and Westerner belief systems as an after life journey to be reborn in another body. This maybe the Hindu and New age concept, but not Buddhist. People often turn to religion for doctrines that provide simple answers to difficult questions. Buddhism doesn’t work that way. Believing in some doctrine about reincarnation or rebirth has no purpose. Buddhism is a practice that enables experiencing illusion as illusion and reality as reality. .The concept of reincarnation is closely linked with the spiritual law of karma in the sense that you are subject to retribution, which is also a concept taught by New Agers. This seems to be a constant that exists throughout the Buddhist faith. Furthermore, in Buddhism, reincarnation takes on a new meaning. The Buddhist principle of reincarnation is founded upon the premise of energy and the fact that energy can be reformulated into anything. This means that if you were to be reborn, you would not necessarily be reborn as another person; you could incarnate as an insect such as a worm. This is anything but true. The intermediate person who makes the passage in this way from one existence to the next is formed, like every living person, of the five aggregates (skandha). Ir is said that it take 100 days to transmigrate. This is called the Bardo Stage. There are six Bardos.
1. Shinay bardo (Tibetan): is the first bardo of birth and life. This bardo commences from conception until the last breath, when the mindstream withdraws from the body.
2. Milam bardo (Tibetan): is the second bardo of the dream state. The Milam Bardo is a subset of the first Bardo. Dream Yoga develops practices to integrate the dream state into Buddhist sadhana.
3. Samten bardo (Tibetan) is the third bardo of meditation. This bardo is generally only experienced by meditators, though individuals may have spontaneous experience of it. Samten Bardo is a subset of the Shinay Bardo.
4. Chikkhai bardo (Tibetan): is the fourth bardo of the moment of death. According to tradition, this bardo is held to commence when the outer and inner signs presage that the onset of death is nigh, and continues through the dissolution or transmutation of the Mahabhuta until the external and internal breath has completed.
5. Chönyid bardo (Tibetan): is the fifth bardo of the luminosity of the true nature which commences after the final ‘inner breath’ (Sanskrit: prana, vayu; Tibetan: rlung). It is within this Bardo that visions and auditory phenomena occur. In the Dzogchen teachings, these are known as the spontaneously manifesting Thödgal (Tibetan: thod-rgyal) visions. Concomitant to these visions, there is a welling of profound peace and pristine awareness. Sentient beings who have not practiced during their lived experience and/or who do not recognize the clear light (Tibetan: od gsal) at the moment of death are usually deluded throughout the fifth bardo of luminosity.
6. Sidpa bardo (Tibetan): is the sixth bardo of becoming or transmigration. This bardo endures until the inner-breath commences in the new transmigrating form determined by the ‘karmic seeds’ within the storehouse consciousness.
That is why there is a 100 day service after someone dies. Originally bardo referred only to the period between one life and the next, and this is still its normal meaning when it is mentioned without any qualification. There was considerable dispute over this theory during the early centuries of Buddhism, with one side arguing that rebirth (or conception) follows immediately after death, and the other saying that there must be an interval between the two. With the rise of mahayana, belief in a transitional period prevailed. Later Buddhism expanded the whole concept to distinguish six or more similar states, covering the whole cycle of life, death, and rebirth. But it can also be interpreted as any transitional experience, any state that lies between two other states. Its original meaning, the experience of being between death and rebirth, is the prototype of the bardo experience, while the six traditional bardos show how the essential qualities of that experience are also present in other transitional periods. By refining even further the understanding of the essence of bardo, it can then be applied to every moment of existence. The present moment, the now, is a continual bardo, always suspended between the past and the future. Not all Buddhists believe in reincarnation. There are many afterlife theories from many religions.
