Question about reincarnation... (Earth, Buddhism, beliefs, soul, verse)

[GabrielWithoutWings]

Also, let's say my karma caused me to be born where I am. What exactly did I do? What did I not do?

What good is karma if it affects my birth, yet I have no recollection of what the "previous me" did or didn't do? I can't exactly learn a lesson with birth amnesia.

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by GabrielWithoutWings

Ugh. If "I" is extinguished, then what experiences nirvana?

I don't particularly know. As I mentioned, my tradition/school focuses on enlightenment rather than nirvana, so I am less knowledgeable regarding that particular concept/teaching.

If I were to substitute enlightenment for nirvana in your question, the answer would be life, but not ego. Also, I am not sure that "experiences" would be the best choice of verb......"manifests" or "displays" or "exhibits" or even "becomes" might fit better.

[Seyorni]

Originally Posted by GabrielWithoutWings

Ugh. If "I" is extinguished, then what experiences nirvana?

Brahman -- the Universal Consciousness, the Conscious Universe itself, the single, unique Consciousness that is dreaming this Reality/Universe.

In Hindu tradition, one's consciousness is expanded, not extinguished.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

In Hindu tradition, one's consciousness is expanded, not extinguished.

Bingo!

[GabrielWithoutWings]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

Brahman -- the Universal Consciousness, the Conscious Universe itself, the single, unique Consciousness that is dreaming this Reality/Universe.

In Hindu tradition, one's consciousness is expanded, not extinguished.

Ah, you hold to Vedanta.

I have the Advaita Vedanta page on Wikipedia open in another browser window.

[Seyorni]

Vedanta or Physics -- six of one/half a dozen of the other...

[Ozzie]

Originally Posted by Engyo

First, the Buddha taught rebirth, which differs from reincarnation in several ways. There is no fixed "soul" in Buddhism. Individuals are not reincarnated as individuals; thus to say that I used to be so-and-so in a previous life is not a direct relationsip, but an indirect one.

Secondly, why would you limit reincarnation or rebirth to just this one single tiny world, in all the worlds of all the galaxies of this universe and all the other universes too?

Good response. In addition, Buddhism does not speak of beginnings only a possible end to the cycle of rebirth through enlightenment. There are probably substantially more than 20 billion souls on various worlds yet to achieve it.

[Ozzie]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

Brahman -- the Universal Consciousness, the Conscious Universe itself, the single, unique Consciousness that is dreaming this Reality/Universe.

In Hindu tradition, one's consciousness is expanded, not extinguished.

So the expansion allows one to acknowledge "I" is relative (thus extinguishing it as unique) and temporally unstable (impermanence) doesn't it?

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Bingo!

Do you agree with the above?

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

So the expansion allo