Reincarnation, or Rebirth, is one of the central parts and beliefs in Buddhism, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood topics, often confused with ideas like transmigration. Reincarnation, in fact, generally is a fairly easy concept to understand and accept. Buddhism is one (other than Hinduism) of the only major religions that have a belief in an after life and being able to be reborn again.
So how does reincarnation work? Karma is the sole responsibility of our rebirths. It is because of our Karma that we are reborn in one of the six realms, or domains: (from bottom up) hell, hungry ghosts, animal, humans, asura (demi-gods), and deva (gods). These realms are part of the Desire Realm, which is one of three realms (worlds) – the second is form realm and the third formless realm.
It is based on our Karma, our actions and thoughts, that determine which one of the six realms we will be reborn in. Karma is the continuous chain reaction of cause and effect. Most people think that Karma is just about the good or bad things we do, but it also applies to our thoughts. Karma is a moral law.
By our actions, thoughts, and words, we release spiritual energy to the universe and we in turn are affected by influences coming in our direction. We are therefore the sender and receiver of all these influences. The entire circumstances surrounding us is our Karma.
What we are, then, is entirely dependent on what we think. Therefore, the nobility of our character is dependent on our “good” thoughts, actions, and words. At the same time, if we embraces degrading thoughts, those thoughts invariably influence us into negative words and actions.
So Karma is the road that leads us to our next life. However, it is us (our thoughts, words, and actions) that pave the roads leading to our next life. A popular and common saying says, “A good cause, a good effect; a bad cause a bad effect.”
Karma is the reason we have the lives we have. The reason you were born in America, Europe, or Australia to the family you have is because of your Karma. The riches, benefits, or struggles and hardaches you have is because of your Karma. We live in the world of desire because that’s what keeps us in Samsara. Until we can break that desire for desire and greed, we will be stuck in Samsara. Until we can relinquish desire, attachment, greed, ignorance, jealousy, etc. we can’t escape the cycle of Samsara.
Our past lives’ Karma is responsible for the life we have. Though not always the best life, the easiest, richest, or healthiest, we should be fortunate for having a life as human being. Fortunate for being reborn in a time where Buddhism is available, where we can obtain and use the Dharma to better our current and future lives. Because we practice, because we know the causes and directions for a happier, peaceful life, we can then be reborn as a human again with a better, healthier, richer life.
Don’t feel sad, angry, or depressed for the life you have now. Instead, feel happy that you know because you practice the Dharma that your next life will be a much better one! A human rebirth is in fact considered to be the by far most advantageous of all possible rebirths in samsara because a human rebirth is the samsaric realm from which one can directly ensure Enlightenment either in the present or future birth.
Smile and be well!