RogueScholar's Philosophy Series: Reincarnation
Reincarnation is an ancient belief that some spiritual aspect of human beings survives death and is later reincorporated into another life, human or otherwise. It originated in India along with the concept of karma, and the two now share a symbiotic relationship, with one's karma being the decisive influence on the destiny of the life force to be reincarnated. A positive karma will evolve and "inherit" a more enlightened and fortunate life. Negative karma will direct the soul into an unfortunate life, or even an animal.
The cycle of death and rebirth through reincarnation is known as saṃsāra. It is believed to be finite, with the ultimate goal of reaching moksha, or freedom from rebirth and its physical limitations. This would be the equivalent of admittance into Heaven in Western religion. The methods for attaining this status differ from Western concepts of justification by "faith and good works" by incorporation a need for deep understanding about philosophical truths which is gained through many lifetimes.
In Hinduism, there are four yogas (Hindu for discipline) which lead to moksha. They are Supreme labor, Supreme realization, Supreme meditation, and Supreme service. Most schools of thought place varying emphasis on these four, but theoretically any one yoga could lead a soul to moksha.
One thing that ties together Eastern and Western religions is a belief that an ascetic lifestyle is the most sure path to enlightenment and a deeper understanding of life's truths, resulting in Heaven or moksha. Asceticism is a life which attempts to remove the focus on worldly pleasures in order to allow one's mind to more fully contemplate spiritual matters. Chastity, poverty, and abstinence from drugs/alcohol/gambling (and other addictive behaviors) are typically the central tenets of an ascetic's life.
Many New Age Christians believe that reincarnation was taught in early Christianity, especially the "Desert Fathers." Early Church councils purged most of these elements from the Scriptures as "heretical," but some still survive. In the Gospel of John, the Jews ask John the Baptist if he is actually Elijah, demonstrating an understanding of the concept of reincarnation.
I believe in reincarnation. Do you?
The cycle of death and rebirth through reincarnation is known as saṃsāra. It is believed to be finite, with the ultimate goal of reaching moksha, or freedom from rebirth and its physical limitations. This would be the equivalent of admittance into Heaven in Western religion. The methods for attaining this status differ from Western concepts of justification by "faith and good works" by incorporation a need for deep understanding about philosophical truths which is gained through many lifetimes.
In Hinduism, there are four yogas (Hindu for discipline) which lead to moksha. They are Supreme labor, Supreme realization, Supreme meditation, and Supreme service. Most schools of thought place varying emphasis on these four, but theoretically any one yoga could lead a soul to moksha.
One thing that ties together Eastern and Western religions is a belief that an ascetic lifestyle is the most sure path to enlightenment and a deeper understanding of life's truths, resulting in Heaven or moksha. Asceticism is a life which attempts to remove the focus on worldly pleasures in order to allow one's mind to more fully contemplate spiritual matters. Chastity, poverty, and abstinence from drugs/alcohol/gambling (and other addictive behaviors) are typically the central tenets of an ascetic's life.
Many New Age Christians believe that reincarnation was taught in early Christianity, especially the "Desert Fathers." Early Church councils purged most of these elements from the Scriptures as "heretical," but some still survive. In the Gospel of John, the Jews ask John the Baptist if he is actually Elijah, demonstrating an understanding of the concept of reincarnation.
I believe in reincarnation. Do you?
Mmmmmm, marshmallow skies.
