A couple of questions (Buddhism, reincarnation, eternal, verse, Buddhism)

[iaminterface]

These pertain to buddhism, and i was curious if any of you guys could help me out.

Where can i find text explaining the art of meditation in detail?

Also, my friend was wondering about reincarnation. He said he didnt see how it was possible, because he wanted to know where all the new souls would have came from originally. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Master Vigil]

Depends on which style of meditation you are interested in. Zen meditation? Meditation with bowls, with mantras, with sutras, etc...?

Reincarnation in my opinion is just like energy. It cannot be created or destroyed, only changed. When we die, we don't end, we just change. What our energy is changed into, is it being reincarnated. Does that make sense?

[iaminterface]

Yeah, i understand what you mean about our energys changing, my friend was just wanting to know how reincarnation could be possible with an increase in population.

As for meditation, is there a site/book that tells about the different styles? So i can see what suits me better?

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by iaminterface

These pertain to buddhism, and i was curious if any of you guys could help me out.

Where can i find text explaining the art of meditation in detail?

As MZ said, there are many ways to meditate. One would need to decide which style one prefers, first. My practice encompasses four different types of meditation..........in order of frequency of use, they are: Sutra chanting/mantra recitation, silent sitting, writing meditation (with brush and sumi ink, in kanji), and walking meditation (with and without mantra recitation).

Originally Posted by iaminterface

Also, my friend was wondering about reincarnation. He said he didnt see how it was possible, because he wanted to know where all the new souls would have came from originally. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Buddhism doesn't postulate an eternal, neverending soul. Rebirth (NOT reincarnation as such) is a new combination of the 5 aggregates; only one of which may have had connection with any previous existence. Combine this with the total number of distinct lives available (NOT just human life) just here on this planet, and you can do the math. Add to that the fact that the Lotus Sutra talks about an infinite universe, with life throughout, and there is never a shortage of life to recombine into new forms.

[Seyorni]

Explain to your friend that there is only one Universal Soul/Consciousness. The illusion of individual souls is generated as Universal Consciousness playfully squeezes Itself through the tiny restrictions of a Quantum Colander.

Individual souls are a 3rd-state illusion.

[iaminterface]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

Explain to your friend that there is only one Universal Soul/Consciousness. The illusion of individual souls is generated as Universal Consciousness playfully squeezes Itself through the tiny restrictions of a Quantum Colander.

Individual souls are a 3rd-state illusion.

I like that answer. Thanks.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by iaminterface

I like that answer. Thanks.

I like that answer a lot too.

But keep in mind that strictly speaking that's not a Buddhist answer. Doesn't make it less or more right, but you seemed to be looking for Buddhist answers. As others have said, Buddhism doesn't posit individual souls. Nor does it, in its original form, posit a Universal Soul. There is only rebirth of the five aggregates. Tho some forms of Mahayana buddhism get close to Hinduism/Vedanta in making the Unconditioned state into something like a Universal Soul.