Questions such as: Why was I born? What is my life for? What will happen to me when I die? are based on the premise of a solid, permanent entity living in a body and moving through time from day to day and year to year. With this ‘self’ in mind we then inquire into its past, its future and its purpose. It is in relation to this premise of ‘self’ that many of us need guidance. It is imperative, if we want to understand Buddhism, to investigate this particular premise.
When we investigate this concept of a solid self, our questions will alter from: Why was I born? etc, to: What is the ‘I’? What is the foundation of this idea of self? Is there an ‘I’ that has been born? Is there a ‘me’ that lives life? Is there a ‘me’ that will die? We begin to question right down to our very roots, as it were, with a mind that is fresh, open, and willing to look. We just want to know!
The unborn does not come within the realm of time, so ‘forever’ is meaningless in relation to the unborn.
From Karma and Rebirth A Buddhist Perspective by Diana St Ruth
Categories: Buddhism, Buddhist, Buddhist meditation, Karma & Rebirth
Rebirth has nothing to do with birth and death. Rebirth is the flux of action which we try in our imagination to capture as being and things.
I would love to find someone who can really answer this question. Most of the time you get this answer; there is no I, me, etc. so there can not be a rebirth. However, the Buddha clearly talked about his many past lifes. So who is correct. The person who claims there can be no rebirths or the Buddha?
I’d recommend you read Diana’s book Understanding Karma and Rebirth A Buddhist Perspective as she deals with these issues.
With regards to who is right, it is a no-brainer the Buddha wins hands down.
The only way to really understand rebirth (or twelve links, of dependent-arising) is to meditate on them. It’s from awareness of the moment that we see the truth of rebirth.
Hope this helps,
R
Yes, big questions, that ‘I’ am just starting to ask . . . Thanks, and deep bow.