The concept of Reincarnation,so called as "Rebirth" or "Punarjanma" is a widely predominant thought in almost all religions,including some famous ones like Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.It may be defined as the religious or philosophical concept of "Life After Death",which states that after the biological death, although the physical body gets destroyed,but the soul or the spirit begins a new life in a new body,that may be a human,animal or a spirit,depending upon the actions of the previous life,so called as "Karma".It is the Karma that decides,what form of life will the wandering soul grasp to
The word "Reincarnation",originating in Latin,literally means "Entering the flesh again".The Greek equivalent term "Metempsychosis",means "Transmigration of the soul".Another Greek word "Palingenesis",which means
"Being born again",is also said to be it's equivalent.The process of reincarnation,generally focuses on death and then again being born after death.The universal process that gives rise to the cycle of death and rebirth,governed by Karma is called as "Samsara".
Believed to have origins,apparently in the Iron Age(1200 BC),discussions about this subject,have also been found,to have occurred in many parts of India and Greece,apparently in the 6th century BC.Although,the ideas associated with reincarnation,may vary from place to place,accordingly with the beliefs as well as the religions and religious views dominant there,but the central element always remains the same,which states that there is always a life after death and henceforth,death is not an end to life.It may be regarded as a shift of life (Soul) from one physical body to another physical body,which is generally governed by Karma.
The Hindu,Buddhist and Jain concepts of Reincarnation differ in their ideas from each other.According to Buddhism,the art of "Nirvana" or "Enlightenment",is defined as a state of liberation from the limitations of existence.Nirvana is a state that can be obtained in one's life by the right aspiration,Purity of life,extinction of desire as well as elimination of Egotism.So,if a living being does obtain Nirvana,it cannot escape from the cycle of life,death and rebirth.The living being would definitely be reborn into one the six following possible states:
1)Heaven.
2)Human Life.
3)Asura.
4)Hungry Ghost.
5)Animals.
6)Hell.
So,it concludes that no one of us can avoid death,and if we are not being able to free ourselves from the vicious cycle of death and rebirth,we may become doomed to it and it's paradoxical nature of suffering.
Hinduism,on the other hand provides a somehow different idea of approach related to Reincarnation,often called as "Punarjanma".It provides a few reasons for reincarnation mainly:
1)To experience the fruits of one's own Karma.
2)To satisfy one's desires.
3)To complete one's unfinished sadhana.
4)To fulfill a debt.
5)To undergo sufferings due to a great soul's curse.
6)To attain Moksha.
So,it can be seen that the reasons as well as the views,of reincarnation may vary according to the religions but the main idea of Reincarnation due to Karma,remains the same.
Now,the question that arises is:
Reincarnation is just a mere imagination or reality???
Here,I would like to give an example of a girl,named "Shanti Devi",who lived in Delhi,India during the Pre independence era.She claimed to remember events clearly from her past life.Although,several investigation commissions were arranged in order to testify her truth,but finally she had been proved to be a true reincarnation of another woman named "Lugdi Devi",who stayed in Mathura,and had died just ten days after giving birth to her child.This amazing case of Shanti Devi,said to be the most verified and documented case of reincarnation,has gained wide fame since then.Later,she also was the subject matter of many books and television shows.The following picture is of Shanti Devi,when she was an adult:
[This picture is taken from Google,and I have no knowledge of it's correctness]
Many books were also written on her,among which,the most famous one is:
This link may help you for further investigation:
There is also another famous story of a child named James Leininger,whose parents claimed him to be the reincarnation of a pilot named James Huston,who had been shot in his plane,during the World War 2.The following link can be helpful:
The story is believed to be true,for the fact that no proof of deceit was ever found.
Besides,these two,many other stories of reincarnation have also been predominant,in many parts of the world,some of which are believed to be true,because of the same reason as mentioned above.
A debate on the fact that Reincarnation is true or not,can lead to various discussions and controversies,and no end result can ever be achieved.Hence,it would not be wise to take any decision based on one's blind belief.Moreover,it is to be noted that not believing in reincarnation has no relation with being realistic or practical,and besides,in both of the cases,mentioned above,all documentary proofs relate them to be true and hence logically,there is no necessity to disbelieve them.So,I would rather advice all,to be practical in judging a fact,and not get carried away in the pool of prejudices.
This topic of debate,has been spanning across history,and the importance seems to increase as time passes. Hence,based on factual judgements,I myself have come to the conclusion that Reincarnation is true. However,this is my personal opinion,and anyone who wishes to comment for or against it,is always welcome!!!
This post of yours is not only an article to read...but a subject on which thesis es are carried on for years. Both spiritual and scientific research are still going on...and i believe it's too early to comment about it's authenticity.
ReplyDelete